Cougar Buying Guide Ep.4 - 1973 XR-7 Convertible 

What a rookie oversight! Don did not even point out that the trunk seal was wrongly glued to the trunk gutter instead of the bottom of the trunk lid!

Thank you so much for this video. My father in-law and I bought a 73 XR7 Convertible last year which we're looking to restore and this video is a real God send. 👍🏻

Even harder to find are the 1973 BRONZE AGE cougar parts. My mom purchased one brand new, the center console pad was cracked and no matter what, she could not get a correct replacement part (they kept giving her a single tone Saddle, when it was two tone (seat matching) bronze with Laguno grain Metallic Bronze insert) and that was after it was only 6 months old! The problem with that limited edition version was that hardly anybody knew about the bronze age cougars and we're talking about the people that work at Lincoln Mercury and were supposed to be selling them! They basically looked like an XR7, but weren't. They were never available as a convertible. They had the Laguno grain Metallic Bronze roof. They had two tone seats (leather ring around vinyl piping Laguno metallic bronze). I used to remember taking a long drive in it (I inherited the car, which got 6 mpg if I was lucky (VERY strong engine but ate gas like candy)) and the chrome decorative strap on the bottom of the center console used to chafe my thigh. No cruise control back then! An excellent buying guide for this generation Cougar!

Thanks WCCC! This is the most detailed video of it's kind I've found for any car. I'm considering a 73' and now I know what to look for. Thanks especially for pointing out the trouble spots, what's impossible to find and what can be replaced. Looking forward to ordering your catalog.

Such a great helpful video. Going to look at a 73 XR7 tomorrow, based out of Sandy, OR

Nice video, thanks. Touched on all the same spots i noticed on my 73 XR7, red, white pleather, black convert top, front disc brake, C6 and 351 CJ.

So I’m a die hard Ford guy, having owned two (one was a parts car I still drove) ‘71 Torino 500s in high school, my favorite, a ‘68 Country Squire, a ‘67 LTD two-door hardtop, and a ‘67 Galaxie 500 4-door hardtop, all great cars. Well my older brother cherished his 1971 Cougar convertible, 351C-2V. Its not an X-R7, no AC. It has been sitting since maybe 2000 or longer. He had it repainted in white, but there is tons of rust bubbling in the usual places. The Cleveland had been rebuilt but we suspected a burnt valve, as all my efforts couldn’t restore a proper idle. I think I could rebuild an Autolite 2100 blindfolded. Anyway, to the point. He never got around to restoring it. He died from complications from COVID, October 21, 2021. The car is complete, but rusty down low, yet straight. I’m speaking on behalf of my family, and I know that my brother would have wanted the “right thing” for his baby. I don’t think any of my family is concerned about “making money”, just that it go to the right place. From what I can tell, it’ll never be worth what it would cost to restore it. So the question is, are you interested in the car? Oh, and we are opposite you, location wise, in Charleston, SC, so even transport might be almost cost prohibitive. BUT, as a parts car, it could be invaluable, as you have noted that some resto parts are unobtainable. I could peel back the tarp and look for whatever parts you might think are desirable. I’m pretty sure that the grille is straight, but those blinker lenses you were noting, one is good, one is cracked, I think. Maybe the convertible trim around the trunk could be good, who knows, but I’ll bet that any good parts might be worth something to you. Of note, until the early 2000’s, I swore I would never own as my driver, any car made after 1971, coincidentally my birth year, but more importantly the beginning of the dark ages for domestic cars. Losing 100+ horsepower across the board from 1971 to 1972 should a source of deep guilt and shame for American automotive “excellence”. I truly love old American cars, especially 1960-1971. I just want my brother’s Old Merc (his license plate) to get the Viking burial it deserves. Or, I’ll just hack and patch it all back together and pull a head, swap a valve, a smoke some tires. He would have loved that. In fact, I’ll most likely do that before the next step. Smoke em if you got em. Btw, your white Torino Cobra video is a real tear jerker for me. Looooooved it!!

Great video. I’m going tomorrow to look at a 73 that’s been in a garage for 35years

Another excellent video. I've owned two '73 Mustangs and admit that I did NOT like the Cougar twin of them...I always thought that they looked too "big bodied". But, if the opportunity to get a low mileage original comes around...who knows...Now I'll be better equipped, when looking. Thanks Don!

HI Don. This series of videos is just terrific. Two things. I recall reading many years ago that 73 Mercury cars had an optional 2 speed differential. Have you ever encountered such ?Secondly, as to glass polish.A very knowledgeable guy stated that it is cerium oxide and that once it dries it sticks incredibly hard.Tape off any trim and paint before applying polish or spend many hours doing cleanup. Probably your best video was that of heater core replacement. Very detailed indeed. Great series and keep up the good work.

The Ford Maverick Grabber or the Mercury Comet GT is a great entry restoration project car,keep up the good work man.

"Has the car ever been driven outside." That's hilarious, but so true. I live in Central Illinois, and have a 68 Cougar. She's got some rust, but I hope one day she'll be restored.

I have a cherry red/white XR7 convert, but mine's a 4V 4-speed.

Thank You!! Protective Bodyside Moulding, was an option. Ugly!! At least no holes to fill unlike 71-73 Stangs. Love 71-73 Cougars. Never an inline6, or 302. 351 standard. love it.

Awesome video. Thanks.

Im glad I watched the video...The 73 Hardtop XR7 was my favorite car and can see Ill never own one because of the rust prone and lack of reproduction parts..cant believe the turn signal lens is not available ever...I could never be happy with the condition I would have to settle for also the simple chrome wheel moldings not available..

Ha! He doesn't want to see my '71! It's 45 years old and is rusted underneath. Unfortunately it's not super solid, but it's not bad, either. You know, I got it for $1500 and have had it for 9 years, so, you get what you pay for! It runs GREAT and I drive it all the time.

Nice video. Great info.

Nice video Don. 73' is my favorite cougar. I think the coupes are much better then the convertibles. The convertibles look ugly with the top up. The coupes have the european inspired flying buttress semi-fastback rear end that is just beautiful.

Oh no I just purchased a 73 Q code coupe!😂. Original paint car but after restoring Mustangs for yrs I knew the Cougar parts are hard to come by. But, I bought a new Q code in 73 so it have sentimental value to me plus I don’t want a trailer queen.

Thanks for this video. No way in hell I am buying this SWEET Cougar I found 👍

Although I am disappointed at Mr. Rush because he didn’t answer a letter I wrote him, as a 73 enthusiast the information given here is spot on and first rate. If you are in doubt I suggest calling him and trying to get him on the phone

Ok... I have a '73 I just started taking apart. Rear valance looks like it got a direct hit from a bottom out. Ball peen hammer and anvil here I come. It's not my first time. My radio is a Cassette player too. I didn't know there were cassettes in 73. I was still filling diapers back then.

Hey, I'm looking for the mechanical buying guide you mentioned but cannot find it. Would you post a link? Thanks, Elizabeth

What should these costs nowadays? (2018) 1973 convertible/coupe in reasonable condition

What about the pedal pad trim for 1971-1973? Never can find gas pedal trim. Everything else I can.

"lets just put a whole lot of undercoating it will hide our sins" lol

I wish you would have given a basic estimate of what one should offer for a car same year and condition.

Breaker 1-9 who you calling stupid? Great video!

I would like to find a 71 XR7 convertible,put me in the right direction,please.

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So. I'm buying a 72

Perfect example why Detroit auto industry is dead. Ford GM Mopar all crap buckets. Bad motors, bad quality, bad bad bad. And today, they still can't get it right !