The Mercury Cougar XR7 made its debut in 1967 and belongs to the 1st generation of the model, which was in production from 1967 to 1970. The Cougar was designed as a more luxurious alternative to the Ford Mustang, sharing basic platforms with it. The design was by David Ash and John Aiken, who focused on blending performance and upscale comfort. The Cougar was known for its hidden headlights and distinctive vertical grille slats, faithfully reproduced in the miniature shown.
While the original model was powered by a 289 cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8 engine, later versions also had more powerful options with a 390 cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 and the Cobra-Jet 428 cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 available. The power output varied depending on the engine variant but could reach up to 335 horsepower. The Mercury Cougar XR7 featured a three-speed or four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic transmission. A notable feature was the suspension system, which offered a blend of comfort and sporty driving performance.
The model car shown in 1/18 scale by Sunstar is a detailed replica part of the collection owned by Modelly member "Stingrayman". The grille with the vertical slats and the license plate showing the year 1968 are just like the original. The metallic gold paint and the black vinyl top match the actual vehicle's design. The model's tires and wheels are also true to the original, with silver rims featuring a chrome finish giving the model its authentic look.
The year 1968, when this Mercury Cougar XR7 was manufactured, was marked by significant events. This year saw the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and NASA's Apollo 8 mission becoming the first manned space flight to orbit the moon. Additionally, the Beatles released their iconic song "Hey Jude," a milestone in music. These examples serve as references to better understand the year and historical context of the vehicle.