 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd.
Mercury Cougar received its first restyle for 1969, and Mercury
answered the Boss 302 and Mach 1 Mustangs with the striped-and-spoilered
Eliminator. See more muscle car pictures. |
Mercury had introduced its sporty coupe in 1967 as a luxury-touring
alternative to the pony-car herd. It had mature styling and upscale
interior appointments and was built on a Mustang chassis stretched by
three inches to provide a longer, ride-enhancing wheelbase.
Mercury in these years was deeply involved in racing. It backed a
variety of record-setting Comet and Cougar drag specials, as well as
NASCAR-winning Cyclones. Its street image was tamer, though not for lack
of trying. Cougar contributed with the '68 GT-E, which like the
Mustang, opened the year with an available 390-horsepower 427-cid V-8,
then switched to the 428 Cobra Jet. The image was still more Euro luxury
touring car than American muscle, though. It wasn't until the release
of the 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator that Mercury was able earn a
reputation for muscular Detroit iron.
Not all 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminators were that powerful. In all-out
acceleration, the available 290-horsepower 302 was overmatched by the
Cougar's weight, but the 428 Cobra Jet benefited from the relatively
generous wheelbase. Grip was slightly better off the line than in the shorter Mustang, and quarter-mile times were every bit as good.
Like Mustang, the Eliminator offered the 428-cid CJ with and without Ram Air, as well as in Drag Pak guise with an oil cooler and a 4.30:1 gear-ratio
Detroit Locker rear axle. The Eliminator didn't use the shaker hood;
its standard scoop was functional only when Ram Air was ordered. A
blacked-out grille, side stripe, and front and rear spoilers enhanced
the muscular look, and Mercury offered the Eliminator in a palette of
"high-impact" blue, orange, and yellow exterior colors.
More impact could be obtained over dealer parts counters, which offered not only headers and dual-quad carburetors,
but such exotic hop-up components as deep-sump oil pans and quadruple
Weber carburetor setups. From the factory, or with these available
parts, the 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator was true American muscle.
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd.The 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator blended American muscle car attributes with an upscale European flair. |
Wheelbase, inches: 111.0 Weight, lbs: 3,780 Base price: $3,500 Top Available Engine Type: ohv V-8 Displacement, cid: 428 Fuel system: 1 x 4 bbl. Compression ratio: 10.6:1 Horsepower @ rpm: 335 @ 5200 Torque @ rpm: 440 @ 3400 Representative Performance 0-60 mph, sec: 5.6 1/4 mile, sec @ mph: 14.1 @ 103 |
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