Muscle Car Of The Week Video #59: 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427 

To me one of the very best looking cars of its time. Still looks good today.

My aunt, pushing 80, still drives a 428 that she's had from new. It's absolutely perfect. (My uncle was a professional mechanic.)

Something to point out is that all GTE’s were two-tone and had GTE only special side trim. All GTE’s had the lower body painted argent (silver), regardless of upper body style. You could also get the optional vinyl top, which could make the car tri-tone.

The red/silver combo looks amazing!

I own a Mercy Cougar xr7 GTE. It has the 427 motor. It was one of the last to be put out on production. In March of 1968 they switch to the 428 motor and dropped the 427. Mine looks identical to the one shown in the video with the exceptions you pointed out on the front end. The engine is the same with the chrome package. One difference under the hood mine does not have the bar running across fender to fender. The inside is the same with some differences. On being it does not have the center gage in the dash. It has the two large found instrument housings. The out side paint is two tone as you described so it did not only come on the GTE but also the xr7 GTE. It is Cardinal Red with silver rocker panel and red interior.

It's a Bankers Hotrod, she wasn't made for 1/4 mile but she would top out at 128-130 mph. just about every Ford guy and their dog are Mustang fans I'd rather have this car, or a Cyclone spoiler. This is a jewel of a car, thanks for the video

I just LOVE that car! Then again I love the entire Mercury line from the 60s. I was just a little boy but had such a love for cars and there was just something about the Mercurys that would always catch my eye. Thanks for posting!

The 427 was listed as an option for the Mustang and several other cars in 1968, but the Cougar GTE was the only car they actually made with a 427 in '68. The 427 was an expensive motor to make and the tooling was wearing out. The 428 was basically a luxury car and station wagon motor, and even the Police Interceptor version was not a great performer, so things were looking pretty sad. Fortunately, Tasca Ford in RI figured out that a 428 fitted with 427 medium riser heads would perform like a 427, giving rise the the 428CJ. Still, there is something just so magical about the 427.

When I was in high school, this was my dream car. I actually had two dream cars, this and an Olds 442.

In '68 I was working for $ 125 a week, never could afford this beauty, although I fantasied about it, along with a '64 Cutlass. Dynamite video!

Love those Cougars. I have a1970 XR7 and am the second owner. This car came out of southern California But was originaly purchased in Parma, Ohio. Not a big block car but happy none the less.

I wish l had a time machine to go back with 45,000 and bring back ten of these BABIES!

This is one of my all time favorites. Love, love, love the GT-E

This car was famous for another reason! It was stable and held a lot of moon shine! It was able to take the rough dirt roads and faster than any other car on the straight!

My favorite car,I owned 3 68 Cougars at different times. I'm 53 and before I die I want another 68.

Love these cars! Only thing I'd rather have from the era is a 69' or 70' Boss 302 or Boss 429!!

Absolutely one of the nicest cars I've ever seen. I saw one of these at a super chevy show of all places. In 1987 Bakersfield Ca.

The 1968 full sized ford brochures listed this very engine as being optional on full sized Fords for 68 except wagons. The horsepower rating was 390 and it was a detained version of the r code 425 up version sold in previous years. This version was available with Selectshift automatic power steering and power brakes but not air conditioning. I found out in later years that Ford never actually installed this engine in any full sized Ford. It was yanked from the option list shortly after the 68 Ford was introduced. It was even priced as a $967.00 option over the standard 240 cubic inch 6. Nice to hear that it was offered and actually installed on GT-E cougar.

My old man had that exact car! Everybody said" oh bullshit; They only came in 428 cu. ins. WRONG! He said they only made about 100 of them, with the 427. Obviously, he was right. He put a lot of miles on it, following me to races with our" Finagler" cougar funny car, in the late '60's

Love old Cougars

4:44 -- Just a beautiful car.

Awesome. Beautiful beautiful car. These were the dream cars everybody wanted. 😍😘 . Man the good old days. 😀😁😂

A stunner! I've seen a real one. The owner told me another strange factoid about the GT-E; the lower body trim, which was unique to this car and on no other Cougar, was attached with trim clips as per usual - except for the rear 1/4 pieces, which were screwed on from the outside, and sure enough, they has visible screws holding them on.

I bought my 68 3 years ago. The more I learn about Cougars the happier I am that I picked mine. This red on red is a holy grail of sorts. Thanks for showing it to us. Great vid

Awesome piece of automotive history. It will only go up in value if maintained properly. This car is a work of art as far as styling. The headlight cover's, the tail lights....

If I’m not mistaken, the 427/390 hp engine aside from the single Holley 4 bbl, they had hydraulic lifters.

Sweet, trying to get my 68 XR7 fixed up. Definitely going with a GT hood scoop.

Beautiful car. I did a valve job on a 428 cougar with ps ac cc when I was 15 at a shop I worked at. When I was finished I ask the boss to test drive it for me (I had no license yet) and he told me to go ahead and I test drove it awesome power for a 15 year old

Pretty sure this was my parents car. Nice to see it Restored and being taken care of. Thank you to the new owners.looking good

Back in the 70's my Grandmother had this car with white interior. GTe 427. I only rode in it once as her way of driving was to floor the accelerator and control speed with the brake.

I had a 67 cougar. It was my first car. And I had it selling it. Wish I could find another Another cougar I could buy.

Beautiful car! Always liked the series one cougar. Thx for showing it.

One of my favorite cougars

I had a 68 xr7 factory 4speed car back in high school it was the real good lookin blue my brother has a 67 gte now same color blue I still love these cars would love to own another one some day.

Definitely "Like nobody else's car" At the sign of the cat !!!!!!

Back in the early/mid 1970's my Mom drove a 1967 Mercury Cougar GT with the 390. One of the coolest moms around

The best mercury cougar model ever 👽

Awesome car. Wonder if the buyers were able to upgrade the tires to anything good back then? All I ever heard as a kid in the 1980's was, " hey kid, if I floored the pedal in my [insert_car_here], my car would completely lose control of the rear end". For comparison, my LS7 Corvette has 13 inches wide in the rear, so I can use the 7 liters no problem.

I’m actually more of a Chevy guy, but this car I really like. Would not mind having that at all. It’s a beauty (and a beast).

My dad had the XR-7 in white in 68'. Great car. Wish I had it.

I owned one of these cars in 1971 for about 3 years before it was stolen. It was always an eye catcher every where I went. The 2 x 4 barrel Holly carburetor made it a guzzler at 8 miles to the gallon but at 37 cents per gal. it was affordable. You mentioned that there were only 100 or so made so that's the reason why I have never seen another in the Boston area.

Around 1973 bought a 67 cougar for $100. Needed a fender $35 and got a great complete paint job for$35 from a friend in the business. Car was very nice and sold it for $550. He got in a fender bender and the ins company gave him $950 and he keep the car

Man, is that red ever red. beautiful.

My older sister bought a 68 Cougar XR-7 and i couldn't wait til she let me drive it and show all my buddies and the girls too. The car was a dark metallic green with a black vinyl top with black leather interior, the engine wasn't all that hot as it was a stock 351 Cleveland with an automatic transmission. Lots of wonderful memories from back in the day.

Awesome classic!

Stunning bright red GTE !! I knew of a 68 GTE in1968. The Pentler brothers had a dark Green one and it always drew the looks back then. Never saw them street race it like we all did back in the summer of 68, in Milwaukee Wi. The Pentler boys were pretty reserved, their father owned Uptown Lincoln Mercury in Milwaukee, Wi. I had bought a used 64 Comet Caliente Convertible from Uptown Motors the year before and when I turned 21 I bought a brand new 68 Road Runner....yeah I was one of those street racers back in the day, that was what muscle cars were all about!

Stunning!

A most beautiful automobile the powerful engine is a big plus, and the two tone paint.

The Brothers own every muscle car made.

Beautiful car. I had the 1968 Cougar base model with the convertible top. Only the 6 in my car, I drove it in high school circa 1978, kind of a project car for my dad and I after I got my license. My car was jade green with the white top and white leather buckets, really nice care. The car needed a new top, and a new passenger fender, but we got it fixed up and t turned out great and was a really nice ride in the summer in Wisconsin. LOTS of great memories in that car.....

That cougar is a beautiful car. I could even like that car more than my 2002 red Thunderbird retro. Thank you.

I bought a new 67 cougar in Mar h of 67. Three .months l was drafted. It took me until 2003 to get another. Triple black 1968 XR7, a real beauty and near perfect condition. In 2010 I got a 67 XR7/DGS. I chased this yellow cat for 39 years. I lovingly restored it from it's 1983 to 2010 slumber. I have other classics but these are head and shoulders above them for beauty and class. Colonel Steve

My grandfather and father were Ford, Lincoln & Mercury dealers when I was a kid. Dr Sam bought a gold 68 Cougar XR7 GTE in Terre Haute, IN and drove it a couple of years. Evil Knievel came to town for a golf tournament and drove the car for a weekend. Dr Sam traded it in to my dad and I had it for several months. Can you say JOY RIDE? The only negative was it didn't have a locking rear differential and spun tire way to easily.

Wow what a LEGENDARY Ford.

Bought a 1968 XR7 GTE with 1,200 miles in late 68' slightly used! 427 low riser is what the called it, hydro lifters 390 HP. Price - this will make you cry - $3,200, but my Grandfather was a car dealer. Dark green with black vinyl top.

I had a 1967 lime green, 289 cui. Loved it.

Love this GTE well done video!!

Wow what a Great Car!! I had a 68 Cougar but nothing like this one. Thank you for this video.

I grew up in and eventually got to drive a '67 S code GT Cougar as a teenager. The S code was a beast I could only imagine what the GT-E could do spiffed up a little. Disappointed to see the auto trans, basically a mushy OEM FMX auto trans bolted to a fantastic motor.

"WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CAR FOR SURE!!!!, OH WHAT WONDERFUL MEMORIES"!!!!!! 😎😎😎😃😃😃

I have a 67 cougar s code gt 3speed 1 of 339 gts with a 390 3 speed combo 3.25 possi

I have been going to Cougar (CCOA), Merc/Ford Car shows for 33 years now and this is one of the "Finest" GT-E s I have ever seen !!! There is one more "Perfect" GT-E 427 W Code car on the show circuit over the years that in my view is the best ! I've seen it at Ford Carlisle, PA show in June a number of years, it's a GT-E XR-7 427(w), Black paint w/ Redline Firestone's on Merc. Styled Steel wheels !! It's perfect in every way and always displayed in the indoor building at Carlisle,PA for Ford Motor Companies finest cars, I Hope some of you may have seen this one, it is a Stunner !!! : )

My first car in high school was a red ‘68 cougar with red interior just like this one. Mine only had a 302 plus a black vinyl top.

Didn’t have the GTE pkg but this was a model we did own when I was a teen. A Red Cougar was one hot ride ... still is

Had a Lincoln-Mercury dealer a few miles from my house. Back before I could drive, my pals and I would ride our bikes to check out the new cars. The GTE was almost as cool as the Panteras that were sold there.

My brother had the xr7 with a 427. The guy he bought it from had purchased it new. If I remember correctly he picked it up in 1976. Had a few more horses under the hood then a stock xr7. Going 50 mph you could down shift to 2nd and nail the gas and the rear tires would lite up. Had a lot of fun in that car!

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

This model year "67 &"68 are my all time favorite Cougar's !! Beautiful car ,,, sexy

My girlfriend in the 80's had the 428 that her dad got for her for her college car. We lived in Fort Collins Colorado and weekend drives in the mountains were great. We used to race up to Estes Park, I had a 71 Stingray roadster at the time.

Apparently, they came standard without posi, so I remember a road test of the era saying they weren't that fast (in that configuration) but smoked the tire beautifully

Looks good at every angle

my 2nd favorite classic ever

A buddy bought a new Cougar xr7 GTE like this one, and it had the first electric sunroof that I had ever seen. It had a small fuel tank, so we spent a lot of time in gas stations, sometimes burning three tanks just cruising around town.

My favorite year of my favorite car growing up ! Thanks for sharing

It's never "more" unique. "Unique" is already one of a kind

I had a 67 Cougar. Loved it.

Learned to drive in my mom's 67 xr cougar..289..but that car was bad ass..just a fancy mustang...but I'd love to have that car back....

It was made for the mountains, And it worked!

That is one BEAUTIFUL “Kitty”! I too like the Silver & Red color combo. :€)

My first car was a 68 Cougar. Had the factory AC, the upscale interior, and small block motor. Diamond blue (looked white from a distance). Sure was a fun car

Imho Cougar is the most under appreciated under estimated muscle car. I would love to have one. 67-68 of.course. Beautiful ! ! !

Awesome Cougar

Love it!!! Cougars were my all time favorite. In my opinion the ultimate sleeper was the 68 cougar R code....aside from the hood scoop it looked like a plane Jane standard but it had a 428 CJ and it could be had with a 4 speed

There are also some other very rare things about the GT-E that no other Cougars received. They offered a "walking cat" which was a side view of a Cougar. They came in many places on the GT-E's only and were optional in a few more. You could get itcast right into the top of the aluminum bellhousing on the top loader 4spd or the C6 automatic, you could get the large oval air cleaner that had the "walking cat " cast right into the aluminum finned top of the air cleaner. they offered it across the front of the glove box, and top sides of the trim on the doors. The first ones were offered in 67 and offered the option for the drag pack . But was not called a Drag Pack at that time. And you did not get all 3 pcs normally associated with the Drag Pack. You could split that up and get all different combinations of it. Such as with or without a louvered rear window, the 4.30 gear with 31 spline axles and T-Lock diff. and with or without a shaker hood. The GT-E was the predecessor to the Cougar Eliminator. Hence the "E" You also could opt for the vinyl sport roof and with that, you got a very rare round emblem that came in the same spot as the XR-7 emblem on the sail panel, but it read GT-E instead of XR-7. They did not offer the 428 in 67, all 163 got the 427 with hydrolic cam, non adjustable valve train, and a cast iron intake. From what I know or can remember, all the 68's were carry over 67's. The last few all got 428's because they did not offer the 427 in any form in 68. There is rumor that 1 or 2 may have got a 390 PI. They can be spotted easy because the 390 PI had solid lifters cams and were not offered with an automatic trans. So all the 390 PI cars had a 4spd. But that is not to say that you couldnt get a 4spd in the 427 or 428. Just that If you think you got a 390 PI it will be a manual trans car. What is really confusing is Ford/Merc did offer the Cougar GT and GTA in 67 and 68. They were 390 4bbl thunderbird motors. The PI came with 730 cfm Holley, aluminum intake, (same as the 428 PI intake) dual point ignition, solid lifter cam, and 11:1 compression ratio. As to the 4bbl version was 10.3:1 cast iron intake, single point with vac/adv and non adjustable rocker arms and hyd cam. The PI was rated oddly enough the same 330HP as the 428 cj

My brother had a '67, sweet machine.

Nice car! Worth a fortune today, 2021!

That's gorgeous

Not to be a Debbie Downer but the 427 in 68 was a top oiler and had a hydraulic valve train. The heads were anemic and didn't breath well, hence the rating change to 390 HP in comparison to the previous single barrel 427's which are rated at 410 hp.

In my opinion, '67, and '68 Cougars were the most beautiful cars EVER made.

I had a'67 cougar GT, 390 ci & 4spd, very light&super quick....the fastest car in Calipatria,in 1976 !!

rare and in impeccable shape ,most gear heads are not aware of this one year only option.

Beautiful car, I would rather have this than a 1968 Mustang. The lines are great,the colour scheme is great and it seems to be loaded up the right way (not too basic and not to fancy).👍

Always loved the styling of this car!

This is one of my favourite car channels. Only Muscle Car of the Week is close

Cougar was Always if not my favorite car made, I am almost sure The is the exact Cougar, I seen back years ago, my Dad was. Big Ford, Mercury guy, so he knew all the dealers here in Florida. Thanks

This is a real beauty, but my dream car is a '67 Fairlane 427, 4 speed.

Gorgeous car one of those that falls through the cracks of all the big boys of the time but was a really nice car to have

I loved the cougars

V8TV : What a beautiful car. Unlike so many cars today, this had class and styling. Let me tell you a little story. This happened in late 1972, or possibly some time in 1973. I, and this girl named Debbie, were going to the University of West Florida, in Pensacola. I lived, and do now, in Graceville, Florida. Okay, so Debbie had a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7. It had a 351 Cleveland V-8. We had come home from school for the weekend. So we had to drive back to University Of West Florida. Now the main entrance to UWF is on U.S. Highway Alternate 90. Graceville is around fourteen miles north of Highway 90. Okay, so Debbie did not like to drive on I-10; which we had to catch in De Funiak Springs. I-10 wasn't finished and opened across northwest Florida until around June or July 1975. So from Graceville to UWF if you traveled on U.S. 90 all the way is around 130 to 135 miles. So we gassed up in Graceville, drove down Florida State Highway 77 to Chipley and turned onto U.S. 90; and headed west. Remember this. We left the Gulf Station in Graceville, at exactly 4:30. And it rained all the way to UWF in Pensacola. Okay, so we get on U.S. 90 in Chipley. On U.S. 90, you have to stop in Chipley, Bonifay, slow down through Caryville, Ponce De Leon, Westville, stop in De Funiak Springs, stop in Mossy Head, Crestview, Milton, and Pace, cross the Escambia River and veer off U.S. 90 onto U.S. Alternate 90. Now remember, we left Graceville at 4:30. It rained all the way to UWF. We stopped in Crestview at an A&W Root Beer stand and ate hamburgers...there. Debbie did not like to eat in the car. When we pulled into the main entrance at UWF, it was 6:29. I don't know how fast Debbie was driving. I sat in the back seat. There was another girl in the front seat. We traveled 130 to 135 miles, stopping many times along the way, all driving through the rain, and it took us one hour and fifty-nine minutes to get to the main entrance to UWF.

Nice car. The 427 block in this is drilled for hydraulic lifters. They didn't run near as good as the R code cars but they did pack a punch.