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1968 Mercury Cougar 390 GT Muscle Machines Drive Report - Specs & History
Reference · 1964-1973 MustangAll 42 brochures & literature
Framed Muscle Machines magazine article about a 1968 Mercury Cougar with feature photos and a specifications panel.
Part of 1964-1973 Ford Mustang Brochures & Literature
This is a photograph of a framed magazine feature from Muscle Machines ("The Ultimate All-American Performance Car Magazine"), a Drive Report on a 1968 Mercury Cougar, written by George Mattar and Jeff Koch. The spread includes a full specifications table for the 1968 Cougar with the 390-cu.in. Marauder GT V-8: 325 hp @ 4,800 rpm, 427-lb.ft. torque @ 3,200 rpm, 10.5:1 compression, Merc-O-Matic C6 automatic, Ford 9-inch rear with 2.75:1 ratio, 111-inch wheelbase, 3,117-lb shipping weight, 0-60 in 8.1 seconds and a 16.0-second quarter mile at 89 mph. Base price was $2,933.42 with a total of $4,232.37 as optioned. The article tells the story of original owner George Ausburn, who ordered the special-paint Calypso Coral ("Code 3") Cougar on March 5, 1968 from Johnson & Son Lincoln Mercury in Newport Beach, California, and later sold it to brother-in-law Richard Davis. Sidebars include an Owner's View quote, production data (one of 656 with the 325hp 390; 469 special-paint 1968 Cougars per Marti Autoworks), Club Scene contact info for the Cougar Club of America, pros/cons, and photos of the engine bay, interior, wheels, and sequential taillamps.
This document covers 1968, which may differ from this 1968 Ford Mustang.
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Frequently asked questions
- What engine and horsepower did this 1968 Mercury Cougar have?
- A Marauder 390 GT OHV V-8 (390 cubic inches, 4.047 x 3.781 bore/stroke, 10.5:1 compression) rated at 325 horsepower @ 4,800 rpm and 427-lbs.ft. of torque @ 3,200 rpm, fed by a single Holley 735cfm four-barrel carburetor with dual exhaust.
- How fast was the 1968 Cougar 390 according to the article's specs?
- 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, a 1/4-mile of 16.0 seconds @ 89 mph, and a top speed of 125 mph.
- What was the base price and total price of this 1968 Cougar?
- The window sticker showed a base price of $2,933.42, and with all options checked off the total came to $4,232.37. The 390 GT V-8 option alone cost $158 and the special paint cost $97.20.
- How rare is this Calypso Coral 1968 Cougar?
- Out of 81,014 base Cougars built in 1968, it is one of 656 with the 325hp 390. Per Marti Autoworks, 469 Cougars were painted special colors in 1968, and this car's Calypso Coral was labeled 'Code 3,' which was not available on a Cougar in regular production.
- What transmission and rear axle does the featured Cougar use?
- A Merc-O-Matic C6 three-speed automatic (ratios 2.46, 1.46, 1.00, reverse 2.175) with a Ford 9-inch differential and a 2.75:1 axle ratio.
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