This Is the World’s First Mercury Cougar

The 1960s were a wild and wonderful time for the American car market. Muscle-car fever had taken over, and we were producing some of the most iconic cars ever seen in the domestic market. Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros, Chargers, Darts, Barracudas, and more all flourished. For Mercury, the Cougar, the brand’s best-selling model, was created. With the 50^th anniversary of the Cougar coming next year, here’s a cool story about the first one to ever roll off the assembly line.

Cougar number one started life as a show car, was loaned to a Canadian auto dealer, sold to a hardware owner, and then placed for sale with a classified ad in a parts catalog. More than a decade later, the car still hadn’t sold, and an enterprising car fan who saw the ad called the number. Turns out the car was still for sale, and a deal was struck. From there it made its way into the hands of Jim Pinkerton, the current owner.

You can see more about this wild story in the video below. And if you want to see the first ever Cougar in person, it’ll be on display next year at the Carlisle Ford Nationals.

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Via [Motor Authority]

Christian Moe

Christian Moe is hell bent on being the most unique and interesting auto writer you’ll find. He continually chases interesting stories and adventures that bring some freshness to the world of automotive journalism. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the business including Autobytel and Road and Track.

He loves all things motorized as long as they are old, interesting or have a good story. When not flogging a car down a local backroad he can usually be found several fathoms deep in some random body of water.

He also likes romantic drives and long burnouts by the beach.

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