59imp
Well-known member
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.