1968 Mercury Cougar Restored

Location: Cary, North Carolina

Why It's Curated: This 1968 Mercury Cougar is for sale in Cary, NC. This Canadian-market Cougar represents a thoughtfully executed transformation from classic cruiser to modern driver's car. The comprehensive $60,000+ restoration included a complete engine rebuild, boring the 302ci V8 to 306ci with Edelbrock heads and internals, paired with a Tremec T5 5-speed manual conversion and 3.55 posi-trac differential. The methodical approach—documented through detailed invoices and a Deluxe Marti Report—demonstrates quality workmanship throughout, from the power disc brake conversion to the VintageAir A/C system. Its unique provenance includes European ownership and Dutch Mercury Cougar Club participation before returning to North America. With Monroe air shocks for adjustable stance, custom dual exhaust, and period-correct Magnum 500 wheels, this Cougar successfully bridges classic Mercury styling with modern drivability and performance.

Check out the pictures in the gallery & use the contact form to get in touch with us and the seller to ask questions and/or make an offer for this vehicle.

Model History: The 1968 Mercury Cougar emerged as Ford's answer to the Pontiac Firebird, positioning Mercury as a performance-oriented luxury brand between Ford and Lincoln. Launched alongside the Mustang's first major redesign, the Cougar shared the Mustang's platform but stretched the wheelbase by three inches and added sophisticated styling cues like sequential turn signals and hidden headlights. The base hardtop represented the entry point into Mercury's "sign of the cat" lineup. Canadian-market Cougars like this example were built at Ford's Oakville, Ontario facility and often featured unique specifications compared to their American counterparts, making them particularly interesting to collectors today. What distinguishes the first-generation Cougar from its Mustang sibling is its more refined approach to the pony car formula, with better sound deadening, upgraded interior appointments, and a focus on grand touring rather than pure performance. The 302ci Windsor V8 that powers this example was Ford's workhorse small-block, known for its robust bottom end and excellent modification potential. The Cougar's longer wheelbase provided better weight distribution and a smoother ride than the Mustang, while its distinctive styling elements—including the full-width grille with hidden headlights and the iconic sequential taillights—established a visual identity that would influence Mercury design for decades. Today, these early Cougars are increasingly recognized for their unique position in automotive history as sophisticated muscle cars that offered both performance and refinement.

Vehicle Details:
Year: 1968
Make: Mercury
Model: Cougar
Trim: 2 door base hardtop
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
Miles: 99,000
Mileage Verification: True Miles Unknown
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual (3 pedals)
Number of Forward Gears: 5
Engine: 302ci V8
Exterior Color: Augusta Green
Interior Color: Black
State of Registration: North Carolina
Vehicle Location: Cary, NC
VIN: Available Upon Request
Title: Clean

Details:

Engine & Transmission:
Complete top & bottom end rebuild in 2024 with all new internals including boring out engine 0.030" to make it approximately 306ci V8.
Replaced factory 3-speed automatic with new Tremec T5 5-speed manual transmission in 2023

Drivetrain, Suspension, Tires & Brakes:
Factory rear end differential was upgraded to a new 3.55 ratio posi-trac differential in 2023
Wheel Size and Offset: 15 x 8 inches
Tire Brand, Model, and Size: 215/60R15 BFGoodrich tires on front wheels 225/60R15 BFGoodrich tires on rear wheels
Type of Brakes: power disc brakes conversion on front and factory drum brakes on rear

Exterior & Interior:
Repair to dent in passenger door and adjacent rear quarter panel in 2022

New pedal box to accommodate manual transmission clutch and power disc brake conversion; addition of AutoMeter tachometer; addition of VintageAir air conditioning system; addition of Custom Autosound bluetooth vintage radio with Rockford Fosgate Punch speakers; new turn signal switch.
Working Heat: Yes
Working Air Conditioning: Yes

Other Notable Features or Functions:

Key Mechanical Features

• Engine bored to 306 ci with larger 4.030 pistons

• Full engine rebuild with:

  • New internals: bearings, rocker arms, water pump

  • Turned and polished crankshaft

  • Edelbrock heads and top-end kit

  • Holley 4-barrel carburetor

  • Weiand Warrior 4bbl dual-plane intake manifold

  • Electronic choke & PerTronix ignition

• Engine painted in correct Old Ford Blue

• Larger-capacity aluminum radiator with HiPo fan

• Tremec T5 5-speed manual transmission (Silver Sport Transmissions)

• McLeod 10.5" 10-spline clutch & pressure plate

• Custom-made driveshaft

• Upgraded 3.55 posi-trac rear differential

• Power front disc brake conversion:

  • 11” rotors, 4-piston calipers

  • New pedal box for clutch & brakes

• Rebuilt front & rear suspension with Monroe air shocks

• Rebuilt power steering system

• Chrome strut tower brace

Wheels, Tires & Exhaust

• 15x8” Magnum 500 wheels with Cougar center caps

• BFGoodrich tires:

  • Front: 215/60R15

  • Rear: 225/60R15

• Custom 2.25” stainless steel dual exhaust

  • X-pipe & Flowmaster mufflers

Comfort & Electronics

• VintageAir A/C system

• Custom Autosound Bluetooth vintage stereo

• Rockford Fosgate Punch speakers

• AutoMeter tachometer

• 100A one-wire alternator

• 12V phone charger (converted from ashtray socket)

• USB charging cable discreetly mounted

Documentation & Extras

• 2 sets of original keys

• Original owner’s manual

• Reproduction window sticker

• Deluxe Marti Report

• Full restoration write-up

• Over $60,000 in invoices

• Belgium registration papers from prior owner

Ownership History & Restoration

• Originally sold April 22, 1968, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

• Later shipped to the Netherlands (~2018–2019), active in Cougar Club road trips.

• Sold to Belgian owner (~2020), imported to the U.S. in 2022.

• Underwent a 2+ year restoration and modification, including:

  • Transmission swap (auto ➝ 5-speed manual)

  • Full engine rebuild and machining (twice: partial then full block-out rebuild)

  • Suspension, brakes, steering, cooling system, and more

Notable Modifications

• Swapped factory 2-barrel carb for Holley 4-barrel

• Upgraded radiator and alternator to handle added A/C load

• Converted cigarette lighter to phone charger with USB

• Ashtray modified for Bluetooth mic install

• Added passenger-side mirror

• Dashboard modified for VintageAir center vents

• Final mod: chrome strut tower brace for rigidity

Unique Driving Experience

• Engine harmonics + manual + X-pipe exhaust = aggressive sound profile

• Listen in the included driving videos for sound detail

Mileage

• Odometer: ~99,000 miles

• Approx. 5,500 miles under current ownership

  • 4,900 miles on new transmission

  • 4,500 miles on new differential

  • 1,500 miles on full engine rebuild

Tire Date Codes:

• RF: 2322

• LF: 1422

• RR: 1922

• LR: 1822

Built for Driving

Designed as a true streetable performance car—comfortable on main street or interstate. A tasteful blend of resto-mod, street-rod, and classic Cougar.

Recent Maintenance:
Oil change service, rear differential service, transmission service, power steering service 

Mechanical, Rust, Cosmetic Known Flaws:
Some light surface rust in the trunk area