1972 Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar was introduced in 1967 and produced until 1997, and then from 1999 to 2002. It was instantly successful accounting for nearly 40-percent of 1967 Lincoln-Mercury sales. The first generation was built until 1970 and was initially available as a two-door hardtop and a counterpart to its sibling, the Ford Mustang. The second generation arrived in 1971 and continued through 1973. It gained a one-inch longer wheelbase, weighed less, and wore different styling than its predecessor. In the front were four exposed headlights replacing the prior disappearing units. The center grille piece was larger than before and had similar styling to the 1971 Mercury Cyclone. The back featured a semi-fastback with a 'flying buttress' sail-panel. A convertible joined the hardtop coupe and trim levels include the GT and XR-7. The Eliminator package was no longer offered, but the Ram Air option remained. The XR-7 added chrome rocker panels, unique wheel covers, and a vinyl-covered half-roof.

The 1972 Mercury Cougar came standard with a 351 cubic-inch overhead valve V-8 engine with 163 (SAE) net horsepower. The muscle car era had ended and manufacturers were unable to use gross power numbers, instead, using net power figures which dropped the figures down substantially. A four-barrel 351 CID Cobra Jet engine was optional and produced 266 horsepower. The 429 engine was no longer available.

Standard 1972 Cougar features included two-spoke steering wheel, deluxe wheel covers, high-back bucket seats, sequential turn signals, locking steering column, instrument panel courtesy lights, glovebox light, Flow-Thru ventilation, and consolette with an illuminated ashtray. The XR-7 added bucket seats with leather seating, tachometer, alternator gauge, oil pressure gauge, nylon carpeting, and the XR-7 emblem in the center of the grille.

The base hardtop coupe found 23,731 willing buyers while the convertible had 1,240 sales. The XR-7 hardtop coupe added 26,802 sales and the convertible version found an additional 1,929 buyers.

The GT option added high-back bucket seats, hood scoop, dual racing mirrors, hubcaps with bright trim rings, bright window frames, dual body tape stripes, black-out grille, headlamp doors, deluxe door trim panels, and black dash panel with bright moldings.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020