Unusual stories pertaining to vintage vehicle ownership are plentiful, but just when you think you’ve heard them all, another materializes in spectacular fashion. For instance, Steven Cognata has had a lifelong attachment to this stunning 1968 Mercury Cougar, which, as strange as it sounds, started prenatally for the owner. Few can boast a relationship with a car that is longer than his actual years on this earth, but somehow this auto aficionado can, so we will let Steve explain the story.
“The Cougar and I were born from the same ether. As my then-18-year-old sister, Patti, placed her order for this car with Darby Lincoln-Mercury in Staten Island, New York, my mother announced that she was pregnant with me. I was born in November 1967 and the Cougar was ‘delivered’ just five months later. Together, as man and machine, we grew up inseparable.”
The Cougar Patti ordered was sensible, considering the era. It was a base trim variant, rather than an upscale XR-7, and was devoid ofmatic transmission that delivered output to a 3.00:1 gearset in the rear differential. Standard bucket seats were covered with black vinyl upholstery, and flanked an optional center console. Power steering and an AM radio were selected, as were white sidewall E70x14 tires, Deluxe wheel covers, and a black vinyl roof that complemented Lime Frost paint. Bumper guards were added at the dealership, along with undercoating. As delivered, the Cougar cost $3,337.75.
