The seller of this car claims this is on of 96 factory convertibles, but Mercury/Ford never produced a convertible Cougar or T-Bird on this platform. In all likelihood, this is a Car Craft conversion, given the year and the location. Regardless, conversions like this were around back in the day and weren’t cheap. This made for a reasonably attractive car, but we can’t speak for structural rigidity.
This is a 109K mile 1986 Cougar and there’s no reason to think the basic mechanical bits won’t hold up, but it appears to need some body and paint work. Notably, a spoiler was removed and plugs were left in the holes. Also, the top is in poor condition and we have no idea whether one can be found. All of this means that the question here is whether it’s worth doing any work on this oddity. At the current, sub-$1,000 price, it might be the worst decision ever; but we’ll see where the bidding goes.
Anyone considering this should be thinking about a cruiser, as these 3.8L V6 cars weren’t very exciting cars to drive originally, and the conversion would reduce rigidity, add weight or both. Still, this is a cool Cars and Coffee conversation piece and we like the fact that it has been kept stock otherwise – note the wire wheel covers – to make it a true throwback.
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Wickliffe,OH
$787.77 with 8 bids and 6.5 days to go
Front end is pure 80s Fox platform Cougar. It’s hard to tell if apparent waviness is reflection or if there are some dents.
This angle shows the cover for the folded top. It’s not exactly OEM quality. Note the CHMSL, which proves this is a 1986 model (1987 had other cosmetic changes).
Note the holes in the trunk where a spoiler was once mounted. A couple small dents are also visible.
Classic convertible profile.
Interior is in good shape and is almost identical to the 1986 T-Bird your humble host once owned, except that this one is tarted up with faux wood. That might have been standard on the ‘luxury’ Cougar.
This has the ‘dummy light’ dash with digital speedo and only temp and fuel gauges. Turbocharged XR-7s had more analog gauges. These maxed out at 85 MPH.
The back seat does remain in place.
…and there’s still some trunk space. Your host fit at least one keg in the trunk of that ’86 T-Bird at one time.
There is a top, but it’s not in great shape.
Here’s the torquey-but-not-exciting 3.8-liter V6.
Ad text:
Hello and thanks for stopping to check out our 1986 Mercury Cougar Convertible! The car has the following options:
109,030 MILES
3.8L EFI V-6 Engine
Automatic Transmission
Power Steering and Brakes
Kenwood AM/FM/CD Stereo
Cloth Interior
Air Conditioning
Power Convertible Top
Power Driver’s Seat
Power Windows/Locks/Mirrors
Cruise Control
Tilt Wheel
This Cougar is one of only 96 factory convertibles built. The miles are actual, the title is clean, and it’s ready to drive. It starts and runs well. There is a small exhaust leak, but it isn’t bad. The interior is in decent shape for the year. There are two visors in the trunk to replace the ones that are on the car. The body is OK with some cracking paint and bubbling, but it photographs well. The convertible top is in fair shape and it only works manually. The underneath of the car is in good shape for the year. In 1985, there were only 17 Cougar Convertibles built, which tells you how rare these cars really are. There is supposed to be a wing on the trunk, but it was not in good condition, so we removed it and put it in the trunk. It would be easier to buy a replacement than fix the old one. If you’re looking for a rare convertible that can only increase in value in the future, this may be the perfect toy to add to your collection. This really is a rare car that you won’t see every day. In fact, there were less than two built per state! How many do you suppose are left? Please be sure to contact us and ask questions before bidding! We also recommend all interested bidders come out and see it, if possible.
Be sure to check out more pictures of this RARE Cougar at the following link:
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COUGAR PICTURES ON PHOTOBUCKET!
Please be sure to look closely at all of the pictures so you see exactly what you’re bidding on!
This is an as-is vehicle, which means that once you buy it, you own it with all faults (known or unknown).