Barn Find 68 Cougar GT-E 428

[59imp]

In 1968 a fellow in my town ordered and purchased a new 1968 Mercury Cougar Xr-7 GT-E 428 Cobra-Jet. he started drag racing the car right away, campaigning it at tracks across the Pacific Northwest, Mission, Cobble Hill, Seattle, etc..... running in Super Stock, at one point the car set a class record running a 12.50 at Seattle. In mid 72 the engine detonated while at a race destroying the block. The car was brought home the engine was removed and tragically engine parts were sold and the original block went to the scrap yard. the rest of the car was untouched and unmolested. This car has been sitting in dry storage since that time. The original owner still has it. It has been unseen for 40 years. Until yesterday. The owner is a family friend, I have known him all my life. I saw the car race at Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island in early 72 just before the engine blew. Due to some health issues the owner has, myself and a couple friends are helping the owner do a sympathetic restoration. We have been in contact with the GT-E Registry. Of the 394 1968 GT-E Cougars produced, only 38 were special ordered with the 428 Cobra-Jet option. As is the car has 17,262 original miles. The condition is unbelievable. These photos do not do it justice. It’s an amazing piece of automotive history. And it was a privilege to be one of the first people to see it after all this time.

 

[cycledog]

How cool is that. Automotive archaeology.

 

[Todd]

I love that body style. At 14 the Ford dealer close to home had an orange cougar eliminator that I lusted for.

 

[maverickmk]

Wow, what a time capsule. Keep the pictures coming as the work progresses on it.

 

[Dirtyrat]

That is really really cool, can't wait to see you roll it out!

 

[cosmic12]

WOW! I never really was a fan of those back then but now[dr
What a great piece of history please do a build thread on it.[cl

 

[Snake Farm]

Two words...........'HOLY CRAP' [dr[dr[dr

 

[Old Iron]

Super cars
67 and 68 are my favorite Cougars 69 is next
That's a grand thing you guys are doing [cl [cl [cl

 

[Country Misfit]

WOW,thats nice

 

[Willowbilly3]

Wow, that's better than finding a deuce.
Probably should just put in a 350 Chevy engine, after all they are cheap and make good horsepower.[ddd

 

[Neverdone]

WOW!!!! Too find something like that is awesome!!!! To have the story to go along with it is even better!!! Hopefully the owner appreciates what you guys are doing!! Can't wait to see it roll out!

 

[donsrods]

Absolutely frickin' amazing !!! WOW. I love the shoe polish on the windows, so very cool.

Let's see, only 17,000 miles but those were a 1/4 mile at a time, so that is almost 70,000 passes down the strip !! [cl

Please continue to take lots of pictures and post them on here for us, this is so much fun to see.

Don

 

[59imp]

ok a small update, got all new brake components today they must fit several diiferent vehicles cause they had most of the parts in Vancouver BCand they were here overnight. also ordered all new power steering hoses and fittings. still missing some key components but we are just trying to get it as a 'roller' for now....

also another tasty bit of info from the GT-E Registrar, of the 37 428 Cobra-Jet car manufactured in 1968 (all were built in the States) only 3 were imported into Canada. this car to Powell River, one to Brooks Alberta that has been accounted for, and one to Edmonton Alberta which is unaccounted for....