Mercury was all the time within the shadow of Ford, not like different manufacturers inside the Massive Three. Nonetheless, two Mercurys that command absolute respect shall be showing at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Public sale between January 18-20, 2024.

The primary we’ll look at is the 1967 Mercury Comet Capri. Transferring as much as the mid-size platform for 1966 after 5 years as a Falcon cousin, the Comet collection was reorganized to incorporate 202, Capri, Caliente, and Cyclone and Cyclone GT. The Capri was the fashion and worth chief of the Comet collection as a result of it provided a two-door hardtop, one thing the low-line 202 didn’t. Energy was accessible in a number of flavors: commonplace was the 200 six or Cyclone 289 (with two-barrel), with the 270-horsepower Marauder 390 (with two-barrel) accessible as an choice.

Nonetheless, Mercury quickly provided its fabled solid-lifter 427 — the identical engine that had received Le Mans and so many different occasions all over the world — in two states of tune: 410 horsepower with a single four-barrel (W-code), and 425 horsepower with twin quads (R-code). This was accessible for all closed Comet two-doors, from the 202 sedan to the Cyclone hardtop.

This frame-off restored 1967 Comet is considered one of six Capris constructed with the R-code 427 based on Marti Auto Works. Apart of the necessary four-speed guide, this Comet Capri options 3.89 gears and a triple black paint/trim mixture. It’s a splendid mix of class, austerity, and energy.

For 1968, Mercury promised the 427 within the redesigned Comet and Cyclone, however solely the Cougar GT-E was the recipient of this engine. Moreover, the 427 was defanged a bit, now geared up with hydraulic lifters. The W-code 427 was now rated at 390 horsepower with single four-barrel, and it was solely accessible with an automated transmission. The GT-E package deal was accessible on the bottom Cougar and the Cougar XR-7, the principle distinction between the 2 being the inside trimmings and instrument panel. The $1,311 GT-E package deal included the 427 engine with dress-up equipment, Merc-O-Matic transmission, Tremendous Competitors Dealing with package deal, FR70 x 14 radials, energy entrance disc brakes, energy steering, energy booster fan, styled metal wheels, blackened out taillights and grille, with the latter that includes vertical bars throughout, energy dome hood, and argent decrease physique paint. Mid-year, the 428 Cobra Jet with ram air was launched, although solely 37 of the 394 GT-Es had been constructed with that engine.

This Cardinal Purple 1967 Cougar is considered one of 256 XR-7 constructed with the GT-E 427 package deal per Marti Auto Works. Of these, it’s considered one of 57 constructed with 3.50 Traction-Lok gears. The restoration consists of authentic, rebuilt, or NOS components together with suspension, brakes, glass, and chrome.

Options embrace console, Tilt-Away steering column, AM/8-track stereo, headrests, and tinted glass. The proprietor has added Lucas fog lights that had been a function on the specialty Cougar XR7-G.

Each of those 427 Mercurys are primo items of muscle automobile historical past. Which do you favor? Excessive-performance drag racer or an American GT constructed that Dan Gurney would drive? You possibly can have your choose beginning on January 18, 2024 in Westworld on the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Public sale.