GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY:
Started collecting about 50 years ago and the main objective was to buy one owner, matching numbers, rust free cars for pleasure and investment. An original survivor, even with it's faults, gives you an accurate assessment of it's overall condition with plenty of character (or the nauseating word "patina"). This Eliminator is one of those cars. About 12 years ago my son and I were searching for a 1970 Cougar Eliminator with Competition green paint, white interior, automatic, (am 78) and above all no rust. After a few years of looking we finally found this Eliminator and bought it sight unseen from the original owner. He bought the car new off the showroom floor in 1970 for his wife and she drove it on and off until 1984 when the transmission went out. They parked it in the garage and it sat for almost 30 years until we purchased it in May of 2012. Always garaged and never driven in the rain. There is no rust on the car and never has been. A long time Mustang/Cougar restorer inspected it a few months ago and said it was the most rust free example he had ever seen. It did not require a "restoration" but we did whatever was necessary to satisfy ourselves. We finished it about 1 month ago and have driven it for less than 10 miles. Over $30000 was spent on parts alone (receipts) plus 8 years of on and off labor. We took our time and did the job right and being able to work with my son on a rust free example of a 50 year old muscle car that you don't see very often was well worth any amount of money spent. The original build sheets and framed Marti Report come with the car and the Marti report states that there were only two 1970 Cougar Eliminators with the same equipment/color. It is a matching numbers 2 owner car and we are the 2nd owners. The original owner and I have become friends and still keep in contact regularly. Scroll down for more photos.
ENGINE:
Engines and engine bays are our favorites. Original 351C 4V engine. A lot of time and money was spent on the rebuild and it has less than 10 miles on it and is not broke in yet. Royal purple break in oil with zinc is in the sump. It was changed once after initial startup. We decided to build it to standard factory specs, so it is not a hyped up build that would have been touchy to drive on the street and harder to maintain. Made in USA parts were used throughout - if we could get them. This is what has been done to it: 1. Blueprinted and balanced. 2. Complete rebuild of heads using modern valves, seats and guides for non leaded gas. 3. Probe Industries of California Forged alloy pistons # P2379F-030. 4. Total Seal piston rings. 5. American Racing Products (ARP) professional grade nuts and bolts used throughout. 6. Scorpion Performance roller rockers made in USA # 9-3621X9. 7. Eagle "ESP" Forged H beam rods. 8. Comp Cams flat tappet hydraulic camshaft. Wanted to keep it stock - the closest we could find was comp cams 32-241-4 camshaft - not a lopey high reving cam - smooth running and idling but has tons of power. 9. TCI flexplate # TCI-529628. 10. Melling high performance oil pump. 11. ATI steel balancing damper # 918900. 12. Cloyes crank sprocket. 13. All bearings made in USA. 14. Edelbrock Performer series #1406 4 barrel carburetor. 15. Summit valve springs # CCA-972-16. 16. Summit valve lifters # SLP-HT900. 17.
TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH:
We anticipated driving the car on the highway to car shows, etc and elected to put in a more modern overdrive transmission for low RPM cruising. It has a rebuilt Ford Explorer 4R70W automatic overdrive transmission with a Baumann digital USQ1 Quick shift control system and US Shift throttle position sensor for the Edelbrock carburetor. We also added a Mag-Hytec finned aluminum oil pan for cooling #4R70W-D. All brand new.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT:
Beautiful, perfect condition. We love tidy engine compartments and this one is close to new. The photos speak for themselves. New battery, alternator, voltage regulator, water pump, alternator, 3 core boss 302 alloy radiator, fan shroud, other bits and pieces.
TRUNK COMPARTMENT:
Solid, perfect original paint condition as shown with no rust or damage. Original 5th wheel and tire match the four on the ground.
SHEET METAL BODY PANELS:
Die straight, damage and rust free panels throughout with perfect factory gaps. The door bottoms, trunk, jambs, inner hood and inner trunk lid are still in the bright factory original paint. The doors are heavy and are known for sagging and so we installed 4 new steel door hinges with zerk fittings from Mustang Steve that "will last a lifetime". Very impressed with them.
EXTERIOR BODY PARTS:
Everything is original and in excellent undamaged condition. Bumpers, bumper guards, bumper brackets, tail lights, grille, headlight assemblys and all the other trim is straight and in excellent condition.
GLASS:
The side windows are original and perfect, roll up and down easliy and are tight. The windshield and back glass are original and perfect.
CHASSIS:
The frame and chassis are in excellent, straight, no rust, undamaged condition as shown. Torque boxes are perfect originals. The underside has not been cleaned for photos, it is exactly as it looked when we bought the car 8 years ago.
INTERIOR/UPHOLSTERY:
We removed everything from the inside and started from scratch, beginning with the floors and moving to the roof. We wanted the car to be as quiet as possible driving on the highway so we bought the best sound proofing and rust inhibitor and sound proofed and rustproofed the complete interior before doing anything else. We used Lizard Skin, Rust Bullet, KBS, Under Carpet Lite, Quiet Ride and other products to ensure everything was sound and rust proofed. Everything was covered including the roof. We installed a new headliner over all of the soundproofing - and made a perfect job of it. Door panels and rear panels are the originals. We installed new seat covers, foam set and carpeting.
DASH AREA:
Beautiful original dash as shown. It is all original, uncracked and excellent. Shift knob is original. Everything works perfectly. The radio was upgraded to a modern AMFM unit with a USB connection, as the original was only an AM 2 speaker unit. The tachometer in these particular cars had some issues so we had it converted with new electronics - same unit, just new electronics on the backside.
AIR CONDITIONING:
The car was ordered originally without air conditioning and living in Georgia we elected to install an "Elite perfect fit" complete air conditioning package from Classis Auto Air in Florida. Absolutely perfect and the vents in the dash are identical to the factory setup. Very happy with it. <p>
PAINT:
It was repainted by the first owner in the original factory Competition green color before we bought it. Fortunately it is a thick single stage urethane enamel of the day that can be polished to look like clear coat - if that's what you like. I don't. Single stage paint is the best IMO. It has some minor blemishes, flaws, dings, touch ups, throughout just from getting older but you wouldn't know it by looking at it. Beautiful car.
TIRES & WHEELS:
Wheels are perfect originals. Tires are correct new BFG 225/70-14 TA radials.
EXHAUST:
Brand new perfect stainless steel complete exhaust system.
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
All brand new.
PAPERWORK:
Free and clear title, 4" stack of receipts, framed Marti report, original build sheets, Cougar magazines, manuals and brochures from all parts that were used. Extra sets of keys including the originals.
FACTORY ID PLATES:
The Vehicle identification ID plates are intact and correct. The vehicle serial number is OF91M507746.
REVIEW:
A beautiful and unique muscle car in Competition green.. An attractive alternative to other more common muscle cars.. A first class, comfortable, quiet and fast cruiser.
INSPECTION OF CAR:
It is difficult at best to describe something as complex as a vehicle and it is highly recommended that you personally inspect the car or have a 3rd party inspect it for you. I can accommodate anyone to show them the car. I have sold roughly 30 autos and motorcycles through ebay over the past 20 years with a solid 100 percent buyer satisfaction feedback. I give buyers an honest description, a better product and a better deal than they expect.
SHIPPING:
Having shipped cars to all parts of the world over the years I can assist the buyer with transport or completely arrange it, only if necessary. However the cheapest and most efficient method is for the new owner to call a transport broker in their area and have them put out bids for the job. The car is in a secure place at my home and it can be collected there. I can assist with loading.
PAYMENT & BIDDING: Contact me prior to bidding if you have less than 5 feedbacks or your bid WILL be cancelled and you will be barred from any of my auctions. A $1000 non refundable deposit via Paypal is due immediately after the auction closes. N0 Paypal for the remaining balance and the balance is due within 3 days via wire transfer or express mail with a bank cashiers check or cash. No Paypal for the balance. Payment is to be made in advance of collecting the car. In advance, before collecting the car - This is an auction and you have plenty of time to inspect the car personally or have a 3rd party inspect the car - inspections are welcome and encouraged. Full payment is due before the car is collected. Winning the auction does not mean that you now have the privilege of coming to inspect the car to see if you like it - if that is your intention, please do not bid on the car. If you cannot trust me, my reputation, the description and the extensive photos then it is your responsibility to inspect the car yourself or have a third party inspect it for you. When the auction is over, it is your car and payment is due at the close of the auction per these instructions. No Paypal for the balance.
Photo gallery
Made a mistake on the exhaust system - it is not stainless as described - it is normal mild steel