It Took 3 Years To Restore This ’70 Mercury Cougar Boss 302 Eliminator

[cawimmer430]

The manual shifter looks like an A/T shifter, I can't imagine it must be pleasant shifting with that, or am I wrong? I have no experience with such a shifter...



It Took 3 Years To Restore This '70 Mercury Cougar Boss 302 Eliminator

What we have here is a relatively rare 1970 Mercury Cougar Boss 302 Eliminator, one of just 323 units produced with this particular engine and transmission combination.

The car was sold new at San Bruno Lincoln-Mercury in California back in its day, and has since been fully restored – a process that is said to have taken 2,000 hours over a three-year period according to its Mecum Auctions listing.



Power comes from a 4.9-liter 290 HP Boss 302 4V Ford engine with 73,000 original miles (117,500 km), mated to a close ratio 4-speed manual gearbox.

Visually, the car boasts a Competition Blue exterior with a dealer-installed chin spoiler, original re-chromed bumpers, tinted glass, original restored wheels with F70-14 Polyglas tires, plus front disc brakes.



Other features include the black Comfortweave interior upholstery, original re-webbed seat belts, restored clock, AM radio and power steering, which definitely comes in handy on these types of cars (unless you're trying to sneak a workout into your commute).

As for what type of Cougar this is, well it's the more popular first-generation model (produced between 1967 and 1970), which was a genuine Pony car – it was literally the Mustang's twin brother. Newer Cougars later morphed into forgettable mid-size offerings and became less appealing.

Now, if you like your Cougars looking a little more raw, then check out this 1967 Restomod rendering. It may not be real, but it goes to show how visually aggressive first-gen models used to be, especially if you strip them down.






Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2020/04/it-took-3-years-to-restore-this-70-mercury-cougar-boss-302-eliminator/

[Soup DeVille]

Hurst T-Handle. Had one in my first VW. They work OK.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hurst T-Handle. Had one in my first VW. They work OK.

T handles are for automatics.
Balls are for manuals.
THIS IS THE WAY IT IS.

[FoMoJo]

Now if I were to buy a classic muscle car, this is what I would look for.  Pretty much the same as the BOSS 302 Mustang, but with a touch of class.

The 290 bhp was just a number with the BOSS 302 engine.  As measured at the time, it was much closer to 350 bhp.

[Speed_Racer]

T handles are for automatics.
Balls are for manuals.
THIS IS THE WAY IT IS.

Pistol grips for manuals

[Eye of the Tiger]

Pistol grips for manuals

Balls!

[Payman]

I like the first gen Cougars, but not the colour of this one. Too shouty.

[GoCougs]

Nice - an off-the-beaten-path car of the era, esp. given that the Cougar's MO was as a near-luxury GT (i.e., though quirky, the Boss 302 is misapplied in such a heavy car).

[FoMoJo]

Nice - an off-the-beaten-path car of the era, esp. given that the Cougar's MO was as a near-luxury GT (i.e., though quirky, the Boss 302 is misapplied in such a heavy car).

So a 100 or so pounds vs. the BOSS or Z28 is going to make it overweight?

[GoCougs]

So a 100 or so pounds vs. the BOSS or Z28 is going to make it overweight?

Well, I didn't exactly use the term "overweight" but the Cougar was notably bigger/heavier than the Mustang.