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When did Ford stop making Cougars?

Ford discontinued the Cougar model in 2002, marking the end of a nearly 35-year production run for the iconic American sports car. The Cougar, which was introduced in 1967 as a more upscale version of the Ford Mustang, had a loyal following over the decades but ultimately fell out of favor with consumers in the early 2000s.


The Rise and Fall of the Ford Cougar


The Ford Cougar was first introduced in 1967 as a more luxurious and performance-oriented variant of the popular Mustang. The Cougar was designed to compete with other sporty, upscale cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. Over the years, the Cougar went through several redesigns and model changes, but it maintained its reputation as a stylish and capable sports car.


However, by the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Cougar's popularity began to wane. Sales declined as consumer preferences shifted towards larger, more practical vehicles like SUVs and crossovers. Ford decided to discontinue the Cougar after the 2002 model year, ending a nearly 35-year run for the iconic sports car.


Reasons for the Cougar's Discontinuation



  • Declining sales and consumer demand for sporty coupes

  • Shift in consumer preferences towards larger, more practical vehicles

  • Increased competition from other sports car models and brands

  • Difficulty in maintaining the Cougar's unique identity within Ford's lineup


While the Cougar is no longer in production, it remains a beloved and iconic American sports car, remembered for its sleek styling, powerful engines, and loyal following. The discontinuation of the Cougar was a reflection of the changing automotive landscape in the early 2000s, as consumers increasingly gravitated towards larger, more versatile vehicles.

How many 67 cougars are left?


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. That makes any 1967 Cougar a rare car!



How many miles per gallon did a 1973 Mercury Cougar get?


Based on data from 1 vehicles, 12 fuel-ups and 2,218 miles of driving, the 1973 Mercury Cougar gets a combined Avg MPG of 13.72 with a 0.82 MPG margin of error.



What year was the Cougar Eliminator?


1969
Cougar Eliminator (1969–1970)
Largely a counterpart of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 and Ford Boss 302 Mustang, the Cougar Eliminator replaced the Cougar GT as the performance-trim Cougar on April 1, 1969.



How much is a 1969 Cougar eliminator worth?


Typically, you can expect to pay around $55,540 for a 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator at auction over the last three years was $133,875.



How much is a 1967 Mercury Cougar worth today?


Typically, you can expect to pay around $15,533 for a 1967 Mercury Cougar in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1967 Mercury Cougar at auction over the last three years was $54,075.



What is the most desirable Mercury Cougar?


Today, Cougars from 1967 to 1970 are all very collectible, especially the convertibles. Of the near 375,000 Cougars built in its four years of production, only about 13,500 were ragtops. The most collectible, no surprise, are the 428 Cobra Jets, the 427 GTE, and the Eliminator CJ model.



What does XR7 mean on a Mercury Cougar?


experimental racing
It's been suggested that "XR-7" is a cipher for "experimental racing," and there was, in fact, a team of Cougars prepared by NASCAR specialist Bud Moore for drivers Dan Gurney and Parnelli Jones to compete in the 1967 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am road-racing championship.



How much is a 1973 Mercury Cougar worth today?


Typically, you can expect to pay around $13,825 for a 1973 Mercury Cougar in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1973 Mercury Cougar? The highest selling price of a 1973 Mercury Cougar at auction over the last three years was $16,500.



How rare is a 1967 Mercury Cougar?


The 1967 and 1968 Cougar GT is even rarer, as just 11,959 units were built those years. These Cougar GTs came with powerful 390-V8 engines under the hood and we're good looking cars. However, the most rare is the 1968 GT-E version, where either a 427, 390 horse V8 or a 428 Cobra Jet 335 horse engine sat in waiting.



What is the rarest Cougar?


1968 GT-E version
However, the most rare is the 1968 GT-E version, where either a 427, 390 horse V8 or a 428 Cobra Jet 335 horse engine sat in waiting. Only 264 of the GT-E models were ever delivered, most with the 427 although no official records exist as to the powerplants.


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.