One-owner, 55,000 Miles, Southern California Car, Heavily Optioned, Marti Report on 2040-cars

1967 Mercury Cougar – One-owner – 55,000 Original Miles – Orange County Lifetime Car

This is a very original, low-mileage, one-owner Mercury Cougar.  This Cougar was recently acquired from the estate of Bernard L. Bruckert.  Bernard purchased this Cougar new, for his wife Lola, on November 30, 1966 from Bricker Mercury in Hollywood and it still wears the original dealer license plate frames.  This Cougar has been garaged its whole life at 3152 Kittrick Drive in Los Alamitos as evidenced from the Mercury Cougar registered owner plan, the Quality Care Warranty identification cards, the small pink slip California title, and all subsequent registrations.  This amazingly original Cougar has been exceptionally well maintained throughout its life.

Complete with its original build sheet this is a very early Cougar.  This Cougar was produced on November 8, 1966 in Dearborn, Michigan.  It was released to the dealership in Hollywood, California on November 10, 1966 and put into service on November 30, 1966.  Documents show the original vehicle selling price to have been $3,820.00 with sales tax of $152.80 and a registration fee of $18.00, bringing the grand total to $3,990.80.  Financed for two years through the Automobile Club of Southern California, it was paid in full on November 29, 1968.  This is further evidenced by the clean small square pink slip showing a free and clear car dated February 12, 1969.

This is an amazingly preserved Mercury Cougar.  The body lines and mostly original paint clearly show it has never been in an accident.  There has been some minor touch up professionally done to the paint over the years.  This car has never been modified and never been in an accident.  We’ve all heard the line, “they’re only original once” followed by everything that’s been done to the car, well, nothing has been done to this car except normal maintenance.  It is 47 years old after all.

This Cougar is very original and very heavily optioned.  Options on this Cougar include: Black Vinyl Roof, Closed Crankcase Emission System, Exhaust Emission Control, C-4 Select-Shift Merc-O-Matic transmission, Courtesy Light Group, 7.35x14 – 4 ply Rated Tires, White Sidewall Rayon Tires, Console, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Air Conditioner – Whisperaire, AM/8-Track Stereo Radio, Tinted Windshield, Deluxe Seat Belts and Wheel Covers.  All of the options are verified by both the build sheet and the Marti Report.

Everything works as it should.  This Cougar is wearing new tires which are only its third set.  The previous tires were over 25 years old and had plenty of tread and no sidewall cracks but I believe that tires should not be old enough to get their own driver’s license.  The radio and 8-Track work.  It is an AM/8-Track Stereo with the Ford Factory 8-Track music tape.  The air conditioning system has been charged in the past and the hoses replaced.  It was charged with the original R-12, just like from the factory.  The air conditioning blows cold and by that I mean 40 degrees at the center vent (yes I measured it that’s what thermometers are for) at 75 degrees ambient temperature.  The dash lights, warning lights and all of interior lights work as well.  The Bruckerts did not smoke and the car has never been smoked in.  The seats, headliner, dash pad, mats and carpet are original and in great shape.  In the trunk, besides additional 8-Track tapes, you will find the original unused spare and the original jack.  The trunk mat is the original as well.  The sequential turn signals work as they should and the headlights go up and down effortlessly.  Under the hood you’ll find the original 289 which starts easily and runs strong.  On the underside of the hood is the original hood insulation pad.  All of the turn signal lenses and windows as well as the mirrors are crack free and original as well.  

This Cougar, its documentation, and its 8-Track tape collection are all offered in this auction.  Please call John at 858-212-5396 with any questions.