NO RESERVE - Original, Unrestored Cougar Eliminator Survivor

Price: - Item location: Big Flats, New York, United States
Description:

1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator

This Eliminator is an All Original Paint - Unrestored Body - All Original Black Interior - carpeting, dash, door panel, seats all very good (sail panels a little rough). It still has the original, Cougar floor mats. I got this on June 4, 1994 from a dealer in Suffolk, Virginia (Butler Motor Cars, Inc). The previous owner was David W. Pence of Greenville, NC who sold (or traded) to Butler's on April 6, 1990. Prior owners are unknown. From the original invoice (I got from Lois Eminger in June 1994) this car was originally sold by Ralphy Collins Ford in Albertville, AL. When purchased this car had 95,128 miles and now has 111,622 miles.

In 1969, there were 2250 Eliminators made out of 100,085 total Cougars. There existed in 1994 only 30 known Eliminators with the 390 GT CID engine. Of these there were only 6 Yellow 390 Eliminators known in the USA. With help from the Cougar Club of America, it is now known (in 2018) that there are only 12 Yellow Eliminators with the 390-C6 tranny accounted for.

I took this to the Cougar Nationals (East) held in 1995 at Grand Island, NY (Niagara Falls), entered in the Unrestored Class and scored 220 ½ out of 250 points. Placed second. In 2008 I took it to Ford Carlisle and placed second in the Eliminator class.

This car has the original (VIN-stamped) C6 Automatic transmission with a B&M 2400 Stall Converter and a supplemental Transmission Cooler. The 390 engine is original (VIN # stamped on rear of drivers side head) and was rebuilt in 1995. It was bored 0.030 over and I had hardened exhaust seats installed in the heads. I bought a Comp Cams Magnum 270 cam for it. It runs really good. When the engine was out, I had the tranny torn down and inspected. All it needed were a couple of new seals - nothing amiss. I also rebuilt the Holley carb and put in a Trick kit - I used slightly different springs in the vacuum secondaries and cam for the accelerator pump. Since it has been over 20 years since the engine rebuild I would recommend some minor seal and gasket replacements (ie routine stuff). The car does not overheat nor does it knock. I run 93 octane pump gas in it with no problems. Starts well every time. A very dependable driver.

It is equipped with a 3.50:1 Limited Slip Posi Rear with 31 Spline axles in a 9" Nodular-Case. When I got this car it had a 3.00:1 open rear with 31 spline axles in the Nodular rear housing. I still have this open rear gear. When I bought the car it already had the 428PI Aluminum Intake and 428CJ Ford-factory Holley Carb. I do NOT have the original intake nor carb. I installed a pair of 428CJ Exhaust Manifolds, 428CJ H-Pipe, 2 ¼" Aluminized Exhaust and Flow Master Mufflers. I still have the original 390GT exhaust manifolds, heat riser and an NOS 390 H-Pipe to convert back to original (if desired). I installed all new springs, front and back to pick it back up to correct ride height. The upper controls arms were rebuilt and all new ball joints were installed.

It came with manual steering but I upgraded this with a Total Control Manual Rack & Pinion Steering system. I have the entire, original steering box and linkages to put back to original (if desired). It originally came with manual drum brakes all around but I upgraded this to power disk brakes. I have the entire original front manual brake setup and the manual master cylinder and proportioning valve. Now it stops confidently and does not drift either right or left. I also changed out the original steel brake lines to stainless steel brakes lines all around. The distributor has been upgraded with a Petronix Ignition Module in a period correct distributor housing. When I bought the car it was equipped with an aftermarket Mallory distributor.

I have 4 stock 14x6 Eliminator Rims with 215/70-14 Firestone Firehawk tires and fitted the rear with Custom 15x8 Eliminator Rear Rims with 275/60-15 Firestone tires. No modifications were made fitting these rear tires on. I also have the original spare tire (Goodyear Polyglas) on an original stock rim.

Electrically, the only item non-functional is the clock in the dash. I just haven't had the need to repair or replace the movement. Everything else functions as expected. I upgraded the headlights with halogen bulbs. I also just recently replaced the fuel tank sending unit with a new one from WCC (since they just came out with a good repro). I still have the original (it was still working but after this many years I wanted to change it). I also upgraded the rear brake lights with Plasma LEDs and added the correct electronic sequencer and flasher can so the turn signals work perfectly.

As this is an original paint car, there are several minor body issues. There are some 'dings' and thin paint around the car. There are beginning rust perforations at the lower outer corners of the doors. There are areas needing repair at both rear quarter bottoms. Both doors have a scuzzy rust coating on underneath bottoms (no perforations). The front fender extensions should be repainted as the driver's side has tiny blisters and the passenger's side had a non-matching yellow paint sprayed on it. These are all conditions that existed when I first bought the car. The underside is remarkably good. No rust issues at all. Torque boxes are clean and solid. So are the frame extensions front and rear. The shock towers are clean and intact - nobody cut holes to grease the upper arms. No problems with floor pans. The front hood trim could use straightening. I do have an NOS hood trim piece for this at extra cost. The only ID tag missing is the one located under the coil - the engine ID tag. I have searched for the build sheet and have not found one, yet. I have not taken much apart on this car so it could still be stashed in it some where.

I recently sent for and received a Marti Deluxe Report and the Personalized Production Report for this car. Copies attached with pictures.

I am located within 5 minutes of the Elmira-Corning Regional airport (New York State) for those wanting to inspect this car. As this car is advertised locally, I reserve the right to end this auction at any time.