Topic: 68 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Hertz

[ChrisV289]

Does anyone know how much one of these is worth if it is fully restored?  Apparently they only made 188 of them and never seen one go up for auction.  Friend of mine is thinking about purchasing one....

[Bob Gaines]

Does anyone know how much one of these is worth if it is fully restored?  Apparently they only made 188 of them and never seen one go up for auction.  Friend of mine is thinking about purchasing one....

I would not purchase it thinking you can restore it and make money. If you do restore it figure it will be worth what a non Hertz rental car Cougar like equipped fully restored will be worth. You will be upside down as far as resale value versus restoration expenses with most cars you restore. A lot depends on how much you buy it for initially. It cost basically the same to restore a 68 fastback Mustang for example and a 68 Shelby KR . However one has a significantly higher value. The restoration costs are the basic constant but the initial value of the restoration candidate is the variable. It still boils down to how much it cost initially and how much restoration costs you put into it.   Now the variables are your definition of restore. Most on this site think in terms of disassembling a whole car and refurbishing every component. Others think a paint job over the old paint and a rattle can under the hood constitutes a restoration. I would venture to say that even if you got the car given to you for free a complete restoration costs would exceed what the market value of the car would be. I get the distinct impression that you think since the car was part of the Hertz fleet it makes it MORE valuable. The Hertz Shelby's are what has brought association with the Hertz name percieved value. The Shelby cars were already valuable so the Hertz name was riding on the Shelby's coattails and not the other way around. FYI a Hertz 66 Shelby for instance was worth 15 to 30% less then a comparable Shelby up until about 20 years ago because of the stigma associated with a ex rental car. Now days the prices have stabilized where they are a comparable in value. In some instances a little more.  Just some opinions based on my background and experience.  Bob 

[ChrisV289]

Thanks Bob...They want about $3500....It looks complete but it would need the usual paint job, whole new interior, new vinyl top, emblems etc...We don't know yet if the engine is original or not to the car...It is also missing a couple of emblems and the Lucas Fog lights that go in the bottom valance.  We plan to go look at the car on Saturday hopefully and see the real condition of it.  Being that it is a 68, the VIN should be technically stamped on the block correct?  It does have the Marty report to confirm it is a XR7-G. 


Chris

[Bob Gaines]

Chris, I  wanted to add that I do not want to diminish the XR7-G as a very rare and desirable car . Even with the provenance of it's pedigree it still would most likely be a losing proposition if restoring to resell. Someone restoring (previosly discussed definition) to keep personally where money doesn't matter is a different motivation all together. Bob 

[ChrisV289]

It is my friend's goal to try and restore and resell the Cougar but he wasn't sure of the  market for that specific car and the value....On an off topic, a local Ford dealer has a 58 Ford Edsel (4 door) for sale for about 8K....According to the dealer, it does not have the original motor in the car, is a manual transmission on the column, and I think it has the original interior in the car with that plastic covering I would find on my grandmother's couch, but the radio doesn't work....I asked if the transmission and rear are original and they don't know...It's powder blue with a white top.  Thought about picking this up just because...Thoughts?  Too much for it?  Paint isn't the greatest, might be the original paint since it is very dull and faded in areas...

[J_Speegle]

Consider that not as many parts are made (reproduction) for these cars and when they are available they can be 2-10 times more than Mustang parts since volume is allot less.  Believe me I know I'm about half way through a 71 Cougar rebuild

REMEMBER its not about (value)  how few cars were built (rarity) but instead demand.

Might want to ask over on http://www.mercurycougar.net/forums/forum.php?s=4e668e9f0e3105e33b56667e533a6355

[Bob Gaines]

It is my friend's goal to try and restore and resell the Cougar but he wasn't sure of the  market for that specific car and the value....On an off topic, a local Ford dealer has a 58 Ford Edsel (4 door) for sale for about 8K....According to the dealer, it does not have the original motor in the car, is a manual transmission on the column, and I think it has the original interior in the car with that plastic covering I would find on my grandmother's couch, but the radio doesn't work....I asked if the transmission and rear are original and they don't know...It's powder blue with a white top.  Thought about picking this up just because...Thoughts?  Too much for it?  Paint isn't the greatest, might be the original paint since it is very dull and faded in areas...

My first thoughts are Chris , I don't know if you need to change your medication or need more of it

[ChrisV289]

No Bob, not currently on any medication...too young to be... LOL...Thought it would be kind of cool to own a big boat...

[drummingrocks]

My first thoughts are Chris , I don't know if you need to change your medication or need more of it

I agree.....an Edsel for $8k?!       

[svo2scj]

Hay Chris

I doubt that will be the price by Saturday !    Dale is great at finding the cars in remote AZ and selling on Ebay.  My guess is it will be closer to $8K to hook someone under $10K.     

What you don't want to know is what he paid for it !   (Or all of you would start knocking on doors every weekend)

Mark

[ChrisV289]

It's at a dealership....They want 8K but said I could make an offer...Guy traded it in for an Expedition....Was handed down to him from his grandfather who was the original owner apparently and he didn't really want the car...