Summary

Powered by a date-code-correct bored and stroked 462ci engine paired with its Toploader transmission. Heads are Ford service-replacement Cobra Jet items with matching dates and have been CNC-ported by Kunz & Co. of Arkadelphia, AR.

Details

This 1970 Mercury Cougar is factory-equipped with a 428 Super Cobra Jet Ram Air engine, and the block, heavy-duty Toploader transmission and nodular rear-axle assembly are all original to the car. This 428 SCJ 4-speed is one of three black Eliminators ever built - two went to California. Originally sold in Penns Grove, NJ, this car has the distinction of being the only one delivered to the eastern U.S. The heads are Ford service-replacement Cobra Jet items with matching dates and have been CNC-ported by Kunz & Co. of Arkadelphia, AR. The valvetrain was upgraded with Harland-Sharp roller rockers. The engine was assembled by the late Gerald Billups of Colcord, OK, and received a quarter-inch stroke and .030 overbore for 462ci. Performance is further enhanced by its dealer-installed Holman-Moody dual-quad induction, 427-dual point distributor and headers. The restoration was performed by Billups Classic Cars in 2017. The body was completely disassembled, chemically stripped and reassembled. Factory assembly markings were documented and replicated. Torque boxes and other structural components were solid and remained original. This coupe is one of only three Eliminators known to have received special-order black paint. All '70 Eliminators received black stripes regardless of paint color, and this car is no exception. This car rolls on Motor Wheel Spyders with reproduction period-correct Goodyear Polyglas tires. The optional Decor interior features full instrumentation, an 8-track stereo, center console and rear-window defogger. The carpet and headliner were replaced. The seats, door panels and dash pad are originals. The Hurst shifter is also original to the car and was restored by Hurst Performance. All options and accessories are functional, as are headlight covers and sequential turn signals. The spare tire and wheel are original period items (as such, they are intended for display only.) The jack and related hardware are also original. Restored traction bars are Cougar-specific units installed by the original owner, who is known to have raced the car in Philadelphia and South Jersey. The car has been under current ownership since 1989. This Cougar was featured on the cover of At the Sign of the Cat magazine in the summer of 2020, on the cover of Old Cars magazine (Vol. 48, No. 29) in September 2019 and on the cover of Quicksilver, the International Mercury Owner's Association magazine, in the fall of 2019. Additional media coverage has included articles in Hot Rod and MotorTrend online and a feature story in the July 2018 issue of Musclecar Review. Awards include Participants Choice at the Mercury Owners Club International Convention, MCACN Gold Certification, Sponsor's Choice at the 2023 Cougar/Mercury Nationals, and several First Place and Best of Show awards. It should be noted that the 'Q' code in the VIN is correct for a '70 Cougar with 428 and Ram Air, as is verified by the Marti Report.