Dick Dalik, a classic car enthusiast from Freehold, NJ, has always had a passion for late 1960s muscle cars. When his son stumbled upon an online listing for a rare, survivor 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7, Dick couldn’t resist the opportunity to check it out. Upon inspection, he found that this classic pony car was still sporting most of its factory Inverness Green paint and housed its original 289 four-barrel V-8 engine. However, one particular feature truly set this Cougar apart from any other he had seen before.
What Makes This Cougar Special?
The 1967 Mercury Cougar was originally marketed as a more upscale alternative to the Ford Mustang, targeting buyers who wanted a balance between muscle and luxury. This particular Cougar was sold brand new at Miles Mercury in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. It came equipped with several premium features that were uncommon for the time, including:
- A tilt-away steering wheel
- An AM 8-track stereo system
- Factory speed control
But the most fascinating part? This Cougar came with a dealer-installed Philco-branded television set.
Why Did This Cougar Have a TV?
In 1961, Ford acquired Philco, a leading name in radio and television production at the time. Philco was an innovator in battery design and transistor-based electronics, making it a logical partner for Ford’s vision of bringing cutting-edge technology to automobiles. Including a television set as a dealer-installed option seemed like a futuristic and luxurious feature for car buyers of the 1960s.
The Philco TV was a compact 9-inch unit that plugged directly into the cigarette lighter for power. Given that the Mercury Cougar was marketed as a high-end pony car, adding an entertainment feature like a TV made perfect sense. While not a common addition, it certainly made this particular Cougar an eye-catching and unique model.
Reactions from the Classic Car Community
After purchasing the Cougar, Dick began taking it to various classic car shows. It quickly became a fan favorite among car enthusiasts. While the well-preserved condition of the vehicle itself was already a major draw, the presence of the TV made it an absolute conversation starter.
“The car itself is a showstopper, but once people notice the TV, that’s when the real discussions start. It’s such an unusual add-on that sparks curiosity.” – Dick Dalik
Classic car lovers marveled at how such a feature was available in a 1967 vehicle, making it one of the rarest factory-upgraded Cougars still in existence today.
Challenges in Restoring the Car
Despite owning the TV unit itself, Dick faced a significant challenge: he did not have the original mounting bracket. The bracket was designed to attach the television to the back of the front passenger seat, allowing rear-seat passengers to watch while on the road.
Finding an original bracket proved to be nearly impossible, as these accessories were rare even in the 1960s. Collectors have reported that a complete set—including both the Philco TV and the mounting bracket—can fetch upwards of $2,000 on the market. Given the difficulty of sourcing the original part, Dick is considering having a custom bracket fabricated to properly mount the TV for future show displays.
Current Condition and Future Plans
The 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 remains in remarkable condition. The car still features its original 289 four-barrel engine and C4 automatic transmission, both of which are in excellent running shape. Other than routine wear-and-tear components, the only significant replacements have been the radiator and the gas tank.
For now, Dick enjoys driving the car and taking it to classic car events. His ultimate goal is to keep the vehicle within his family for generations to come. With its unique history and dealer-installed television, this 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 will undoubtedly remain a one-of-a-kind gem in the classic car world.
