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How many Ford Cougars are left?

There isn’t an official count of Ford-branded Cougars because Ford never produced a model by that exact name. The closest reference is the Mercury Cougar, a separate model under Ford’s Mercury division that ran from 1967 to 1997 and again from 1999 to 2002. There is no centralized, authoritative tally of surviving Mercury Cougars, so any figure cited would be an estimate at best.


A quick clarification: Ford vs. Mercury


To understand the question, it helps to separate the brands. Ford Motor Company marketed vehicles under its own name and, in the past, under the Mercury division. The Mercury Cougar is a distinct model that shared roots with Ford’s Mustang but is not a Ford-branded model. This distinction matters when discussing how many people still own or register Cougars today.


Historical context of the Cougar line


The Mercury Cougar debuted in 1967 as a personal luxury car and spanned multiple generations before Mercury ended its production in 2002. The model’s nameplate persisted across several redesigns, but Ford itself never launched a modern, standalone “Ford Cougar.”


How many are left today?


There is no single official, global headcount for surviving Mercury Cougars or any Ford-branded “Cougar” that might be imagined. Because records are scattered across state registries, private sales, and enthusiast registries, any total published online or in print would be inherently incomplete and potentially outdated.


For researchers, collectors, and potential buyers, several channels are commonly used to estimate survivorship. Below is a guide to the main sources that enthusiasts consult to gauge how many Mercury Cougars remain in the wild.


Before listing the main sources, note that none of them yield a definitive census; they provide context, show trends, and offer best-available approximations based on public records and known sightings.



  • Official registries and VIN databases: Some countries maintain records of registered classic cars; these can indicate how many are legally registered, though data quality and coverage vary by jurisdiction.

  • Mercury Cougar owner clubs and registries: Enthusiast groups often track known surviving examples among members and collectors, which can give a snapshot but not a complete count.

  • Auction houses and classic-car dealers: Major sale events and current inventories sometimes reveal how many survivors are publicly offered or have traded hands recently.

  • Online sightings and restoration databases: Public forums, car-history sites, and restoration registries can reveal known examples, but listings are incomplete and rely on voluntary updates.


Taken together, these sources suggest that surviving Mercury Cougars exist in small numbers, but there is no definitive, up-to-date global total. The count is fluid, influenced by factors such as restorations, private ownership, and cross-border registrations.


What this means for the count


Because the question mixes brand naming with a model lineage that ended decades ago, the most accurate answer today is that there is no official, precise figure for how many Mercury Cougars—or any hypothetical “Ford Cougar”—remain. Interest from collectors can surge or wane, and private ownership means many cars are out of sight unless they appear at auctions or in club rosters.


Summary


The idea of a current, official number of Ford Cougars is a misnomer, since Ford never produced a model by that exact name. The Mercury Cougar model lineage, which is the closest real-world reference, ended production in 2002. There is no centralized census of surviving vehicles, so any estimate depends on fragmented registries, club counts, and auction data. For the most up-to-date sense of survivorship, consult classic-car registries, Mercury Cougar enthusiast groups, and recent auction results—understanding that totals will remain approximate and evolving as cars change hands and are restored or lost.

What is a 1968 Mercury Cougar worth today?


Typically, you can expect to pay around $22,020 for a 1968 Mercury Cougar in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1968 Mercury Cougar? The highest selling price of a 1968 Mercury Cougar at auction over the last three years was $55,000.



How many 1967 cougars are left?


For example, in 1967, there were 150,893 Cougars built. The database has records on approx 7,000. Of those, approx 4000 have been parted out, or condition is unknown. That leaves approx 3000 which is only a 2% survival rate.



How much is a Ford Cougar worth?


The price of a used Ford Cougar ranges from £594 for the cheapest model to £1,990 for the latest and most well-equipped model.



Is Ford bringing back the Cougar?


Cougar. Now reimagined as a sporty upscale coupe that's ready to compete with the best in its. Class this isn't just a nostalgic badge revival.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.