The third-generation Mercury Cougar (1974-1976) left the Mustang-derived chassis behind and moved to Ford's intermediate Torino/Montego platform, growing to a 114 inch wheelbase and roughly 4,250 pounds. Mercury sold it as a single model, the Cougar XR-7, a two door hardtop personal-luxury coupe with no convertible or base trim offered. Power came only from V8s through three speed automatics: a standard 351 two barrel, optional 400 and 460 cubic inch engines, and, for 1974 only, a rare 255 hp 351 Cobra Jet.
Other Mercury Cougar generations
Platform and Body
For 1974 Mercury moved the Cougar off the Mustang-derived chassis it had used since 1967 and onto the intermediate body shared with the Ford Torino, the Mercury Montego, and the new Ford Elite. Wheelbase grew to 114 inches, and curb weight sat around 4,250 pounds. Body-on-frame construction replaced the old unibody: a perimeter frame carrying coil-spring short and long arm front suspension and Ford's four-link, coil-sprung solid rear axle. Only one body style was built for 1974-1976, a two door hardtop. The convertible died with the 1973 model year and never returned in this generation.
Trim: XR-7 Only
Mercury cut the lineup to a single model. Every 1974-1976 Cougar is an XR-7. The base hardtop, GT, and Eliminator were all gone. Standard equipment included power steering, power front disc brakes, 15 inch wheels, a half vinyl roof with opera windows (a full vinyl roof was optional), and a full-gauge instrument panel carried over in spirit from earlier XR-7s. The car was positioned against the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and, once it arrived for 1975, the Chrysler Cordoba, not against pony cars.
Engines
Every engine is a V8 and every rating is SAE net, since these are all post-1972 cars. Ratings moved year to year as emissions calibrations changed.
- 351 cu in (5.8L) 2V: standard all three years. Rated 163 hp in 1974, about 148 hp in 1975, and 154 hp in 1976. The 1974 standard engine was the 351 Cleveland; after Cleveland production ended, 1975-1976 cars were built with the 351M or 351 Windsor depending on availability.
- 351 cu in Cobra Jet 4V (Q-code): 1974 only, rated 255 hp net. Roughly 2,793 Cougars got it, making it both the strongest and the rarest engine of the generation, and 1974 was the last year Ford installed the 351 Cobra Jet in anything.
- 400 cu in (6.6L) 2V: optional all three years. 170 hp in 1974, 158 hp in 1975 (144 hp in California calibration), and 180 hp in 1976. A torque-first engine well matched to the car's weight.
- 460 cu in (7.5L) 4V: the top regular option all three years. 220 hp in 1974, 216 hp in 1975, and 202 hp in 1976.
Catalytic converters arrived for 1975, which brought unleaded-fuel requirements across the board and pulled most ratings down with them.
Drivetrain and Transmissions
All 1974-1976 Cougars are rear wheel drive with a three speed Select-Shift automatic. For the first time in the model's history, no manual gearbox was offered. The 400 and 460 used the heavy duty C6, while 351 cars generally carried the lighter C4. A Traction-Lok limited slip axle was on the option sheet for 1974 and 1975. Power steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment.
Year by Year
- 1974: First year on the intermediate platform and the best seller of the three, at 91,670 cars. The only year for the 255 hp 351 Cobra Jet.
- 1975: Catalytic converters and unleaded fuel arrive. A revised front bumper with two oval air inlets and a new grille freshen the nose, and a power moonroof joins the option list. Production drops to 62,987.
- 1976: Final year of the generation, with minor trim changes; production recovers to 83,765. For 1977 the Cougar name moved to the LTD II-related platform and expanded to a full model range including sedans and wagons, making 1976 the last of the XR-7-only intermediates.
Asked all the time
What engines were offered in the 1974-1976 Mercury Cougar XR-7?
All V8s, all rated SAE net: a standard 351 2V (163 hp in 1974, about 148 hp in 1975, 154 hp in 1976), an optional 400 2V (170 hp in 1974, 158 hp in 1975, 180 hp in 1976), and a 460 4V (220, 216, and 202 hp across the three years). For 1974 only, a Q-code 351 Cobra Jet 4V rated 255 hp was optional, with roughly 2,793 built. No six cylinder and no manual transmission were offered.
Did the 1974-1976 Cougar come in trims other than XR-7?
No. From 1974 through 1976 Mercury sold the Cougar as a single model, the XR-7 two door hardtop. There was no base Cougar, no GT, and no Eliminator in this generation.
Was a convertible available on the 1974-1976 Mercury Cougar?
No. The last Cougar convertible was built in 1973. All 1974-1976 Cougar XR-7s are two door hardtops.
Which year of the 1974-1976 Cougar XR-7 should a buyer look for?
1974 has the strongest drivetrains. The Q-code 351 Cobra Jet, rated 255 hp net with only about 2,793 built, is the collector pick, and the 220 hp 460 is the strongest regular option of the generation, both before catalytic converters arrived in 1975. 1974 was also the highest-production year at 91,670 cars, ahead of 83,765 for 1976 and 62,987 for 1975.
What platform is the 1974-1976 Mercury Cougar built on?
The 1974-1976 Cougar XR-7 uses Ford's intermediate body-on-frame platform shared with the Ford Torino, Mercury Montego, and Ford Elite, with a 114 inch wheelbase, a perimeter frame, and coil springs at all four corners. It shares nothing structural with the 1971-1973 Mustang-based Cougar.
What transmissions were used in the 1974-1976 Cougar XR-7?
All 1974-1976 Cougar XR-7s are automatic; no manual was offered. Cars with the 400 or 460 used Ford's heavy duty C6 three speed, while 351 cars generally used the lighter C4 three speed.
The wall · registered 1974–1976 Cougars
Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.