Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Hello everyone. I'm a Newbie to this board but not to the world of forums.
I recently purchased a 1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with 35,000 miles from an 80+ year old man. The car was serviced and fully documented at
the original dealer. The Car Fax report is stellar. Religious oil changes every 6 months despite the vehicle only having 200 miles on the oil.
I even have the original order form, from the dealer to Ford on what the owner wanted. The Gentleman purchased the vehicle new in 1987 for his
wife. He also purchased a 1988 Lincoln Town car for himself. The Red Hot Cougar was his wife's "show off" car. She eventually passed away and the car sat
in his garage for about 11 years. The car spent all 26 years garaged. I now own the car and keep it in my garage.

My question is what do you guys feel the value of the car could be? I realize it's not the 50th Anniversary model. But it is an XR-7 with the 5.0L.
Car is bone stock. Would I decrease it's value if I went with a full Mustang LX style dual exhaust with shorty headers? I'd like to do some mods but
in very good taste. Don't want the engine compartment to look butchered. The car is super uber clean.

I was also considering Selling it at Mecum Auto Auction in Kissimmee Fl near where I live. What do you think a real Cougar Fan would be willing to pay?

Thanks for your input. If it's not worth much I'll just keep it. Mod it a little and take it to local meets. Will be fun.


(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150430_092702.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150510_153337.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161954.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161452.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161403.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161339.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_144924.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161242.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161536.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_163006.jpg)

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/Cougar%20Window%20Sticker.jpg)

My god, that thing is spectacular!!!

NADA Classic Car Retail Value falls between $3500 - $6500.   

It doesn't let you get very specific withe the mileage / condition though.

A private appraisal would likely be the best way to handle your scenario.


That is one  fine Cat!   

I'd get the appraisal for insurance purposes, then keep it and enjoy it!



WOW!!!!!

Thanks. Back in 1991 I purchased my very first car at age 22. It was a 1988 Mercury Cougar LS V6.
For decades I've always wanted the XR-7. Recently I started looking and was fortune to find this gem.
I'm 47 now. I think I will keep this cat and enjoy showing her off.
Funny thing is my wife hates the car because she said the Red on Red interior velour looks like a Pimps car. LMAO.

I'll do a full GT dual exhaust with Flowmasters and shorty headers. Injectors. Larger throttle body. 3.7* rear ratio. Stronger Valve body in tranny.
Smog pump delete.
Maybe in the future if I get board with the power I'll do the GT40 and Mass Air conversion. But for now a little extra power would be good.
This forum has taught me a lot. I didn't know I could not put aggressive Cam in this motor. Lucky I haven't purchased anything yet.

Quick question. Does the Mustang dual exhaust fit without extending it? The Cougar is a longer wheelbase.

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/20150428_161326.jpg)

If you haven't yet, check out coolcats.net in the modifying section.

Yes that's how I found this Forum. Very good info on Coolcats.net. I immediately purchased the upgraded grommet for the TV cable linkage.
Mine was still plastic. Thanks.

My cars got about 320k on it right now. Still has the plastic bushing. I'm hoping it goes and burns out the trans so I can use my t-5 in it.

You probably shouldn't tell her that even we on the forum refer to that interior as "Porno Red" :ies:

Beautiful car. Glad you're gonna hang onto it. These cars are our little secret in the automotive world - we know they're awesome, but high dollar collectors ignore them. That makes them affordable to us, and also makes it so we can modify them and drive them without feeling guilty the way you would with, say, a Gen 1 Z/28 or '69 Boss 429

LMAO I love it!! My wife is really going to like that one. (Not)

I swear I didn't do this on purpose. Red polo shirt. Red sweater. Coincidence.

(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/willieguapo/c1120b12-6943-4026-9d3e-b2fb143f5fc2.jpg)

Headers, H-Pipe, and intermediates from a similar year Mustang will fit.    Everything else from there on back will have to be custom.

Dang fine looking car.  I would mod it to your liking, drive and enjoy it.  They really arent worth Big money.

HOLY SMOKES!!! Awesome.

Thanks. I have a welder so I won't have a problem extending it.

Welcome and NICE CAT. As stated, that is one hell of a preserved vehicle. Always nice to see another one of these like that. .

As far as modifications and subtlety....here's the engine bay of my optioned-out 20th Anniversary. Can you spot the parts that make 280 horsepower? ;)

Yes! The serpentine belt has racing stripes! GOT YOU!!

WOW. Very clean. I like it. The H.O. Cam will fit our engine OK? I thought we couldn't because we have flat top pistons.
Your set up is what I'd like to shoot for. Wake up the Cat within.

First I have one question for you...how the hell are you wearing a sweater in Orlando FL?????

Second, you can swap in an H.O. cam with the E7TE stock '87 - 93 Mustang heads, but not GT40's. Valves are too big. I did a light flycut on all of my pistons to accommodate it.

Is there a person in the car? They are camouflaged pretty well if there is ;)

Nice clean Cougar. Welcome to the site :).

I purchased the car in May from Ohio. Drove it back to Orlando. Took this picture on my drive home
That's the reason for the sweater. Although it was a spectacular 65 degrees. Didn't really need it.

Thanks for welcoming me to the board. If you guys ever find yourselves in the Central Florida area make sure to contact me.
I have a list of all the Florida car shows on my calender. Going to start hitting them all in September.

Find me on Facebook under Willie508@gmail.com

Very nice!  Welcome!

Welcome.  Very nice car.

Red? Whats wrong with red......  beautiful Cat, welcome to the forum and the madness.....

Question: do those 83-84 Heritage/elan seats have a storage pocket in them? In the front edge, would be right behind your calf while you're sitting?

Yes, there is a hidden flap on the drivers front seat.  FYI, the interior was available in a base car as an upgrade.

WOW. That's a lot of RED. Very clean. Looks good.
I'm starting to really like this Porno Red.
I feel like we need some real tacky, raunchy 70's Pimp music in the back ground. Boom Cheeka Pow Powwwww

when I see the whouse red, my mind goes to Cadillac.

Super jealous....nice find!

Awesome Cat!  Love the red!  As for your question about your cat being the cleanest in existence... I may just have the most pristine Cougar in the country.  I believe without a doubt, it's the most pristine Cougar you can find in South Carolina, where I live (specifically live in Inman).  Bought this from a dealership in NC last year.  It's a 1986 Cougar GS w/5.0L V8.  It spent 99% of its life in Lenoir, NC owned by an elderly lady who kept it garaged and didn't drive it much.  Although I can't be entirely sure, I highly doubt anyone can touch this car in terms of actual mileage.  These pics were taken last year after I bought it, but the Cougar is still in pristine shape.  Check out the pics...

Here's a few more pics...

Looks awesome! As a FYI it has the wrong size battery.

Thanks!  I know, it came with the wrong size battery.  I've wanted to change it, just haven't gotten around to it because of Mom being in and out of the hospital over the past year.  I take care of her here at home.

I need to stumble across something like that.

That cougar is just as clean as mine. Awesome. Easily the cleanest 86 in the US. Congrats on finding such a gem.

i would find a car like that and !!!!!!!!!! DRIVE IT!!!  cats want to run wild.

I'm nominating this for the new FTBCF official color description.

+1

Awesome XR7. Would love to come see it sometime. I'm near Ocala in north central Florida... good way from Kissimmee still but I work in Eustis so if you're ever in Lake county shoot me a message!

On April 30th. The oldest Lincoln dealer, Central Florida Lincoln on SR-50 is having a Lincoln Mercury classic car meet for charity. I will be there. They want all Mercury owners to come out.

That is nice! I just purchased a 87 Turbo Coupe with 63,000 original miles fully loaded with every option and everything is original. I had a 88 T-Bird in the early 90's and wish I would have kept the car. Now That I'm in my late 40's I needed another one. I told my wife that all I need now is some jeans with patches and a mullet. My 87 is red on red too, wish I could have found something in a different color, but with this low of miles and un-touched I couldn't pass it up. Think I'll put a coat of paint on it this summer (original color) and take it to some shows.