1971 429 CJ 4sp Cougar XR7 ram air convertible

[lowmile]

A buddy of mine has owned this car for a while, he has lost interest and its hasn't been started in about 4 years. He told me to come get it and get it running. I did and the car runs out well and doesn't look too bad its an older driver quality, 80's redo. It was originally brown but is now red with tan inside has power windows and is a J code with the Marti paper work. You can drive and enjoy it, or it would be an excellent restoration candidate. Any idea on value it todays market? Thanks, Mark

[SS427]

$15-25k in drivable state and depending on condition. Not many of these bad boys made. A little less maybe for this car considering color change.

[PeteLeathersac]

Not my fav' but Wow # wise as '71 XR7 Convertible J-Code 429 Ram-Air production is just 13 units, only 8 Autos and 5 Stick cars built!
http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/statistics.htm


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[lowmile]

Thanks for the replies. It's not really my cup of tea either but the thing moves on pretty good for a 71. I guess it's the 71 Hemi Challenger vert of the Mercury world. I'll take a few pics and post them. Mark

[SS427]

Wow, MUCH rarer than I thought. Please also note, the values I spoke of were for a base XR7 not a J-code 429. I would imagine maybe double for that engine. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[442w30]

A lot of the convertibles were blue - promotional cars - but I can't recall if they were base or XR-7 or a mix of both, and whether they were C-codes or J-codes or both.

Hardtops aren't much more popular, but sticks for the hardtops are quite rare.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Very rare and super cool, but I personally don't think the value is there with it. Not the most popular of vehicles in the Ford/Mercury world. Concourse restored, I would think you would barely be knocking on the $45,000 door in my opinion. Lets see some pics of this rare beast!

-Matt

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Here is one in Black,just an example of what they look like so we all get an idea for now.

http://youtu.be/rN_gWhWaIAg

[lowmile]

It was just about to rain. I washed about 5 years worth of dust off of it.

[lowmile]

Well, I had some help cleaning it up.

[lowmile]

I found the Marti report in the trunk under a fender cover.

[442w30]

That's one seriously cool car. Nicely optioned too.

[olredalert]

----I agree, 442! Car is better than described and I think it has more value than some of you think. Maybe alot more!!!
----Oh,,,And the &quot;Caution Fan&quot; sticker just may belong on this Couger.....Bill S

[lowmile]

lol When I opened the hood I thought the same thing about the fan sticker.

[njsteve]

Somewhere a Camaro is sighing in relief. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[CC Rider]

Very nice Cougar! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

[Sportyworty]

As you now know the Vert J code with 4 speed is Hens teeth. Send me a PM and I will put you in touch with &quot;the guy&quot; on these cars. He has the most known collection and lives and breathes these cars. I sold him a Black Hardtop a few years back. 4 speed Cougars are rare in general.

[lowmile]

It kinda grows on you after a while.

[markinnaples]

Generally not a fan of that body style, but that thing is pretty cool, and add the 4 spd and motor in, and you've got something special.

One of 5, whew.

[olredalert]

----Sooo,,,Lowmile,,,Is it yours yet??? Inquiring minds want to know.......Bill S

[lowmile]

No not yet, I just bought an 06 Mustang GT vert with 15k miles from the same friend. My wife likes that new one better. I don't know if I could do two Ford products at once. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif

[Xplantdad]

Hmmm....red with a white convertible top....I like it!

[lowmile]

Yep Xplant, Twin brothers from another mother.

[Xplantdad]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[robber6910]

Newburgh NY!!! My best friend lives there. Should have him go take a look what's on that property now.

[Stefano]

That is one cool Merc.

[429CJ_Registrar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lowmile</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A buddy of mine has owned this car for a while, he has lost interest and its hasn't been started in about 4 years. He told me to come get it and get it running. I did and the car runs out well and doesn't look too bad its an older driver quality, 80's redo. It was originally brown but is now red with tan inside has power windows and is a J code with the Marti paper work. You can drive and enjoy it, or it would be an excellent restoration candidate. Any idea on value it todays market? Thanks, Mark</div></div>
Mark,

I just found this thread so please excuse my responding to this thread so late. This car has been known to the 429CJ Cougar registry I have only seen a couple of pictures of the car. Did it ever sell?

[429CJ_Registrar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A lot of the convertibles were blue - promotional cars - but I can't recall if they were base or XR-7 or a mix of both, and whether they were C-codes or J-codes or both.

Hardtops aren't much more popular, but sticks for the hardtops are quite rare.</div></div>

Only 448 429CJ Cougars, Cougar GT &amp; Cougar XR7's were built, 47 of these were Convertibles.

2 - C code/C6 (non ram-air) Cougar Conv - 0 in 429CJ Registry
18 - J code/4spd (ram-air) Cougar Conv - 9 in 429CJ Registry
9 - C code/C6 (non ram-air) Cougar XR7 Conv - 3 in 429CJ Registry
5 - C code/4spd (non ram-air) Cougar XR7 Conv - 3 in 429CJ Registry
8 - J code/C6 (ram-air) Cougar XR7 Conv - 4 in 429CJ Registry
5 - J code/4spd (ram-air) Cougar XR7 Conv - 4 in 429CJ Registry

There were 15 of the blue promotional conv built they were all J Code-4spd Cougar Conv, 8 of these exist.

[429CJ_Registrar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very rare and super cool, but I personally don't think the value is there with it. Not the most popular of vehicles in the Ford/Mercury world. Concourse restored, I would think you would barely be knocking on the $45,000 door in my opinion. Lets see some pics of this rare beast!

-Matt</div></div>

Matt,
Of the 448 cars built, only 75 serial numbers have been located, of those serial numbers aprox 20% are cars that are known to have been parted out or destroyed. This leaves aprox 60 existing cars in all states of repair.

The record price for a 429CJ Cougar XR7 HT was 87,000.00 at the 2007 Florida Mecum Auction.
The record price for a 429CJ Cougar Conv (one of the blue show cars) was 97,900.00 was at the 2009 Scottsdale Russo &amp; Steel Auction.


So few of these cars go up for sale at auction, or even publically that it is hard to determin a value. The CPI price guide Nov-Dec 2012 lists a value of 50,900 for a 429CJ HT, It does not even list a value for the Conv

[lowmile]

Thanks for the info Mitch. The car is still at my house, as a matter of fact, I took it out today for a little exercise. For a big ol tank it runs pretty good. I think after the first of the year it will be advertised for sale.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 429CJ_Registrar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Matt,
Of the 448 cars built, only 75 serial numbers have been located, of those serial numbers aprox 20% are cars that are known to have been parted out or destroyed. This leaves aprox 60 existing cars in all states of repair.

The record price for a 429CJ Cougar XR7 HT was 87,000.00 at the 2007 Florida Mecum Auction.
The record price for a 429CJ Cougar Conv (one of the blue show cars) was 97,900.00 was at the 2009 Scottsdale Russo &amp; Steel Auction.


So few of these cars go up for sale at auction, or even publically that it is hard to determin a value. The CPI price guide Nov-Dec 2012 lists a value of 50,900 for a 429CJ HT, It does not even list a value for the Conv </div></div>

Wow I was way off the mark! Thanks for setting me straight on these.

-Matt

[429CJ_Registrar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 429CJ_Registrar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Matt,
Of the 448 cars built, only 75 serial numbers have been located, of those serial numbers aprox 20% are cars that are known to have been parted out or destroyed. This leaves aprox 60 existing cars in all states of repair.

The record price for a 429CJ Cougar XR7 HT was 87,000.00 at the 2007 Florida Mecum Auction.
The record price for a 429CJ Cougar Conv (one of the blue show cars) was 97,900.00 was at the 2009 Scottsdale Russo &amp; Steel Auction.


So few of these cars go up for sale at auction, or even publically that it is hard to determin a value. The CPI price guide Nov-Dec 2012 lists a value of 50,900 for a 429CJ HT, It does not even list a value for the Conv </div></div>

Wow I was way off the mark! Thanks for setting me straight on these.

-Matt</div></div>


Matt,

No worries, Again there are so few cars that do go up for sale that if you are not watching them you wouldn't know.

There are actually 3 going up for acution in January. The Blue Conv that sold in 2009 and Russo and Steele will be at Barrett Jackson, There is a yellow 429CJ 4sp Cougar GT at russo and Steele, and there is another 429CJ Cougar GT - one family survivor at the Kissemee Mecum auction.

Time will tell what the current market is.

Mitch

[CJCougar]

Can I get your phone number to talk to you about the Cougar. [email protected]

[NEEDFORSPEED]

After reading everyone's notes, I think I'm biting off more than I can chew, meaning= I had a '71Cougar XR7 HT with a 429. It had every bell and whistle. &quot;Butterscotch&quot; color with half vinyl roof, real leather interior. I ended up selling it(worst thing I did). Now, many, many years later, I would like to have one just like it again, but I had no idea they went for so much $$$. Any idea about what I should expect to pay???

[442w30]

I think you'd be surprised that it's one of the best values out there - how many cars with the top engine aren't priced out of the stratosphere? As long as it's not a Mustang, 429 Fords are quite reasonable.

There's a 4-speed ragtop on eBay right now - check it out!