[akbarber]

Ok, I need someone to give the kid in me a good talking to. I'm starting to have dreams about this car and that's so very, very wrong /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif.

I found a 68 Cougar XR7G that has bad written all over it. The VIN checks out as a G car via a Marti report but the car has been wrecked, butchered, or worse. From conversations with the owner and pictures, the car as it sits is intact but is missing most of the pieces it needs to be a "G" car. (The G cougar is a rare car with several speciality parts). The owner has the original motor but its not in the car. The roof appears to have been replaced as it no longer has the sun roof it was built with. Special badges are missing and the interior is in rough shape.

All that being said the kid in me still wants to get this car. I would greatly appreciate some advice, experience, wisdom on why this is a bad idea or a really good one that I won't regret before I climb on a plane to go look at this thing.

Thanks.

 

[Art]

Don't do it...Don't do it...Don't do it...Don't do it....

(Where is it?)

 

[SAC69]

Was the G model the Boss 302 aka Eliminator or was it just a "trim" package with a different hood among other options....(I know the G engine code in a Mustang is a Boss 302)...
IIRC, the G was more of a "trim" package than a performance package, like the Boss 302 version. I believe you could even have a G with a base engine 302. That being said, it depends on what he is asking for the car. If it is a base model 302, I'd not expect the value to be in the range as say a 390.
Have you searched Cougar sites for cost comparisons?

Check to make sure it does not have a salvaged title (meaning car was totalled out and repaired before). Wrecked? Severe like it hit a tree? Keep in mind Cougar parts are harder to come by than Mustangs. There are some car's for sale that I drove to look at that literally I would not take if they were given to me for free due to amount of work, cost of parts damaged, etc.

Good luck with decision.

 

[johnpro]

I have always loved the '67/'68 Cougars. My second hot rod was a '68 Cougar. Man, did we have some good times in that car! The only thing I didn't like about it, was one of my best friends had a '68 XR7, and mine wasn't /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif.

You're asking the WRONG group of people to talk you out of this, but then again ... I'm sure you already new that /forums/images/icons/wink.gif.

 

[pprince]

Depends on the price, imo.

They are very rare cars but this one will cost a fortune to restore properly but there is no reason why you could not fix it up somewhat correct and still have a neat car. Was this one a 427 or a later one with a 428?

 

[gt350clone]

Is it an XR-7 G, or a GTE???

IIRC, on the XR-7 G, the G stands for "Dan Gurney Special", and was basically a trim package. I'm not even sure the sunroof was a part of the package or not. Kind of unique, but I'm not really sure how "rare" it would be. Might add slightly to the value, but not a huge premium.

The GT-E was the hi-perf Cougar in 68. Only about 600(?) made. The early cars used 427's and later used 428CJ's. The trim pieces are VERY hard to come by and expensive, and the completed car is both rare and valuable. Yep - I'd love to have one! /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

Sounds like the car you have found is a bit of a mess. I wonder if it's a rebody or a clip job....A G car without all the G stuff is just another Cougar.

As others have pointed out, Cougars cost twice as much to restore as a Mustang, and typically are worth LESS than a similar Mustang when completed. I've owned a couple, and IMHO the best way (financially) to buy a Cougar is to buy someone else's "finished" car......

 

[RichLong]

While looking for a 68 Mustang coupe for my son we came across a very nice 68XR7 less drivetrain. He's real happy with it and is anxiously awaiting a 5.0 5spd conversion for it.
I only wish my 68 was as rust free !

 

[cougar]

If you go here you can check the statistics on the cars.
Cougars

 

[70coralmach]

XR7G was a seperate model from the GTE and Dan Gurney special. They were converted at A.O. Smith of Shelby fame. The sunroof was optional. Those special "G" parts such as unique cosole, lucas foglights W/ unique valence and other odds and ends will set you back quite a bit. If the purchase price takes this into consideration you can be a kid and the only one on your block with one.

 

[akbarber]

It was a options package with a different hood. Only 691 were produced. I've checked the NADA guides and they say that the G option adds 20% value but its actually seems to be 50-100% value when you look at what they've been going for.

I wish it was a 428 car. There were only 14 of those made. As to the GTE cars, they're even rarer. As 70coralmach points out, the Dan Gurney specials are different that the G cars in that they were mostly an engine dress up kit in 67 and a sticker in 68.

I've run a title search and the title was transfered 3 times since 98. I'm trying to track back the POs now. Ya know the internet is a scary place. You wouldn't believe how quick I found the info on the POs.

My big worry about the car is that the car was clipped or the VINs were switched. GT350Clone, I agree on buying the finished car and I have a back up plan in that direction should the G car fall through.

Thanks for the help.

 

[akbarber]

Easy Art...you'll get your turn. My kid first. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif