The Mustang by no means actually joined a bandwagon — it had its personal bandwagon. Developments within the trade have been for different automobiles, not Ford’s pony automotive. Mercury, then again, wasn’t above becoming a member of the fray. In reality, the Cougar had joined the fray by design, so there was nothing of which to be too proud. Our Choose of the Day, a 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator, not solely joined a pattern, but it surely additionally was an early participant within the pattern, which we’ll clarify beneath. This Cougar is listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a personal vendor in Apex, North Carolina. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

Ford and Mercury had issues with its avenue popularity when the 1968 mannequin yr started: the 390 wasn’t good competitors to solid-lifter 396s and Ram Air Pontiacs, and there wasn’t a smaller various to compete with the small-block Chevrolet and 340 Mopar. For 1969, that was rectified by the arrival of the 351 Windsor. With a four-barrel carburetor, it was good for 290 horsepower, about on par with the 350 that was used within the Camaro and Nova SS. That, plus the April 1968 introduction of the 428 Cobra Jet, helped give Ford and Mercury parity on the road. Add the Boss 302 and, for probably the most half, Ford and Mercury have been competing toe-to-toe with Chevrolet and have been aggressive with all efficiency manufacturers on the road and the observe.

And what about that pattern? Stripes and spoilers have been changing into a factor in 1969, maybe most famously achieved by the Hurst/Olds. The GTO adopted go well with with the Decide package deal in January 1969, the identical month Mercury launched the Cyclone Spoiler. In March, the Cougar Eliminator was introduced after a particular customized present automotive toured the auto present circuit.

Based mostly on the usual Cougar hardtop, the Eliminator package deal included a blacked-out grille, body-color hood scoop (non-functional besides when ordered with the 428 Cobra Jet with ram air), distant driver-side racing mirror, matte black entrance spoiler, body-color rear spoiler, Eliminator stripes, 12-slot argent wheels, and rocker panel moldings. Inside, Eliminators featured high-back buckets in black, white, or blue, black crinkle-finish dashboard, full instrumentation, Visible Test Panel, ET clock, rim-blow steering wheel, Customized door trim, rear seat armrests, and door courtesy lights.

Underneath the hood, the 351 four-barrel was included with the Eliminator package deal, contrasting sharply with the Mustang Mach I’s commonplace 351 two-barrel. Non-compulsory was the 390 GT, 428 CJ, and Boss 302. Additionally included was 3.50 gearing, efficiency dealing with package deal, and F70 x 14-inch black sidewall tires. Out there colours have been Competitors Orange, Vibrant Blue, Yellow, or White.

This Competitors Orange 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator options the usual 351 four-barrel, certainly one of 1,145 Eliminators constructed with this mix. Per the odometer, it reveals solely 78,000 miles. For further oomph, Edelbrock Performer heads, Crane cam, lifter, and curler rockers, and an Offenhauser consumption and headers have been added to supply over 450 horsepower, per the vendor. “Begins simply and runs effectively,” he provides. “Superb inside with working unique clock.” Choices embrace air-con, energy steering and brakes, console, AM/8-track (changed by aftermarket radio), and bumper guards. The unique 14-inch wheels have been changed with 15-inch Magnum 500s, and ram air has been added too.

Going by the above, this automotive sounds good for the lovers who all the time needed a boisterous muscle automotive however wishes the consolation of air-con as a result of, let’s be sincere, we’re all older. Plus, it comes with a components automotive. For $65,000 OBO, now’s your probability!

All it takes is a click on to view this Choose of the Day on ClassicCars.com.