1972 · Mercury · United States
1972 Mercury Cougar: Net Ratings Arrive, the 429 Is Gone
Net ratings arrived, the 429 was gone, and the 351 Cobra Jet became the performance Cougar engine, fitted to 3,560 cars.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The Cougar Club of America's Marti-derived production page gives 53,702 Cougars for 1972, this record's own overview states: 23,731 standard hardtops (65D), 26,802 XR-7 hardtops (65F), 1,240 standard convertibles (76D) and 1,929 XR-7 convertibles (76F), with Wikipedia carrying the identical total. It was the last year the club page lists the GT, with 300 built, the key fact this record leads with alongside the 351 Cobra Jet's rise to the Cougar's performance engine.1,2
The Q-code 351 Cobra Jet, rated 266 hp net, this record's own key facts state was optional on every Cougar at $162.90, or $105.88 with the GT option. Kevin Marti's figures, as published by the club, count 3,560 installations: 500 standard-hardtop automatics, 66 standard-hardtop four-speeds, 64 standard-convertible automatics, 5 standard-convertible four-speeds, 2,401 XR-7-hardtop automatics, 156 XR-7-hardtop four-speeds, 336 XR-7-convertible automatics and 32 XR-7-convertible four-speeds. This record's own production notes state these eight rows sum to 3,560 and that the overview's own XR-7 (2,925) and automatic (3,301) subtotals are themselves sums of those same partitioned rows.3,4
This record's own conflicts note carries a single engine-rating dispute: the 351 Cobra Jet's 266 hp, given by both the VIN decoder and the club registry, against 262 hp from Wikipedia, with 266 kept in the engine table because two sources agree on it. This record's own engine entry for the base 351 two-barrel separately notes that Wikipedia gives 166 hp against this record's own 163 hp, a second rating gap the engine row carries without further reconciliation.2
Two engines are documented: the 351 two-barrel at 163 hp and 280 lb-ft, and the 351 Cobra Jet at 266 hp and 301 lb-ft, both rated to the SAE net standard this record's own key facts state applies for the year. This record documents two 1972 base prices: $3,016 for the 65D hardtop and $3,370 for the 76D convertible, and 269 Cougars of every kind carried the four-speed manual, a figure this record's own production note compares, without asserting exactness since it crosses two separately sourced tables, to the 259 four-speed 351 CJ cars documented elsewhere in this same record, implying nearly every 1972 four-speed Cougar carried the Cobra Jet.4,5,6
The GT package, in its final club-tabulated year, reached 300 cars at no stated separate price beyond the 351 CJ engine option itself, and the Cobra Jet's own $162.90 retail figure dropped to $105.88 when ordered with the GT. This record's own identification section carries the year's VIN engine-code map directly: H for the 351 two-barrel and Q for the 351 Cobra Jet, the smallest engine-code table this record documents for any year that still offers an optional performance engine.7,3,4
What the record documents in full is the year net ratings arrived and the big-block option disappeared: four body styles resolving to 53,702 cars on a total both the club page and Wikipedia agree on exactly, a 351 Cobra Jet installed in 3,560 cars and broken down eight ways by body and transmission, two competing engine-rating figures this record keeps open rather than resolved, and the GT package's own last year in the club's production tables.1
Fact sheet · 1972 · United States
The numbers
1972 Mercury Cougar — Net ratings arrived, the 429 was gone, and the 351 Cobra Jet became the performance Cougar engine, fitted to 3,560 cars.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1972 Cougars1,2 as published | 53,702 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 2-door hardtop (65D)1 Standard · 2-door hardtop, 65D · as published | 23,731 | built, model-year | Reported |
| XR-7 2-door hardtop (65F)1 XR-7 · 2-door hardtop, 65F · as published | 26,802 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Standard convertible (76D)1 Standard · convertible, 76D · as published | 1,240 | built, model-year | Reported |
| XR-7 convertible (76F)1 XR-7 · convertible, 76F · as published | 1,929 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT (standard hardtop)1 GT · standard hardtop · as published | 300 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 351 Cobra Jet, all bodies3 351 CJ (Q) · as published | 3,560 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 351 CJ, standard hardtop, automatic3 Standard · hardtop · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 500 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, standard hardtop, 4-speed3 Standard · hardtop · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 66 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, standard convertible, automatic3 Standard · convertible · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 64 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, standard convertible, 4-speed3 Standard · convertible · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 5 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 hardtop, automatic3 XR-7 · hardtop · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 2,401 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 hardtop, 4-speed3 XR-7 · hardtop · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 156 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 convertible, automatic3 XR-7 · convertible · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 336 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 convertible, 4-speed3 XR-7 · convertible · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 32 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1972 Cougars with the 4-speed manual transmission6 4-speed manual · as published Whole-year installation count. The 351 CJ breakdown in this record counts 259 four-speed CJ cars, so nearly all 1972 four-speeds were CJs; that comparison crosses two sources and is not asserted as exact. | 269 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them unless a note says they partition a total.
The four body-code rows sum to the 53,702 total; the eight 351 CJ body/transmission rows sum to the 3,560 351 CJ total (both per the club tables).
The overview's XR-7 (2,925) and automatic (3,301) 351 CJ figures are sums of the partitioned rows.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cougar 2-door hardtop (65D)5 | $3,016 | base price as published (basis not stated), 1972 model year |
| Cougar convertible (76D)5 | $3,370 | base price as published (basis not stated), 1972 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| H · 351 V8 2-bbl4 351 cu in · 2-barrel | 163 hp @ 3,800, 280 lb-ft @ 2,600 (SAE net) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Q · 351 Cobra Jet V8 4-bbl4,3 351 cu in · 4-barrel | 266 hp @ 5,400, 301 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE net) | optional on all Cougars | 3,5603 Reported |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · 3-speed manual4 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 5 · 4-speed manual4 | optional | Not yet sourced |
| U / X · Select-Shift automatic (U = C-6 with 351 4V; X = FMX with 351 2V)4 | optional | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
Qorder code |
351 Cobra Jet engine ($105.88 with the GT option)3 | $162.90 | 3,5603 Reported |
|
GT7 | — | 3001 Reported |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
1A |
Br. Gray Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
1C |
Black (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
1D |
Silver Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2B |
Br. Red (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2E |
Red (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2G |
Med. Red Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2J |
Maroon (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3B |
Lt. Blue (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3D |
Med. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3G |
Grabber Blue (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3H |
Br. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3I |
Br. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3K |
Br. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4A |
Pastel Lime (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4B |
Br. Green Gold Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4C |
Ivy Bronze Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4D |
Med. Ivy Bronze Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4L |
Br. Lime (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4P |
Med. Green Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4Q |
Dk. Green Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4S |
Br. Green (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
4U |
Br. Lime Gold Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5A |
Lt. Pewter Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5C |
Ginger Bronze Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5D |
Ginger Bronze Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5F |
Dk. Brown Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5H |
Med. Ginger Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5J |
Med. Ginger Bronze Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
5L |
Med. Tan (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6A |
Lt. Goldenrod Yellow (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6C |
Med. Goldenrod Yellow (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6D |
Yellow (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6E |
Med. Br. Yellow (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6F |
Br. Yellow Gold Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6G |
Br. Yellow Gold Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
6J |
Med. Gray Gold Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
9A |
White (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
9C |
Cream White (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
AA |
Black -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AB |
Med Blue -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AD |
Dk. Red -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AF |
Med. Ginger -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AR |
Med. Ginger -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AW |
White -- All Vinyl with Black8 | Not yet sourced |
BA |
Black Vinyl & Black Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
BB |
Med. Blue Vinyl & Med. Blue Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
BF |
Med. Ginger Vinyl & Med. Ginger Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
BR |
Med. Green Vinyl & Med. Green Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CA |
Black -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CB |
Med Blue -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CF |
Med. Ginger -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CW |
White -- All Vinyl with Black8 | Not yet sourced |
DA |
Black Leather & Black Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DB |
Med. Blue Leather & Med. Blue Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DD |
Dk. Red Leather & Dk. Red Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DF |
Med. Ginger Leather & Med. Ginger Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CD |
Dk. Red -- All Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DR |
Med. Green Leather & Med. Green Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DW |
White Leather & White Vinyl with Black8 | Not yet sourced |
EA |
Black Vinyl & Black Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
EB |
Med. Blue Vinyl & Med. Blue Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
EF |
Med. Ginger Vinyl & Med. Ginger Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
ER |
Med. Green Vinyl & Med. Green Cloth8 | Not yet sourced |
Identification
- Body codes
- 65D standard hardtop, 65F XR-7 hardtop, 76D standard convertible, 76F XR-7 convertible.1
- VIN engine codes
- Fifth VIN character: H 351 2V, Q 351 CJ 4V.4
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1972 Mercury VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1972
- AMC AMX The first year of SAE net ratings and Chrysler-built TorqueFlite automatics. Javelin AMX production rose to 3,220, and the 304 V8 became available.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The first V8 Gremlin: the 304 (150 hp SAE net) in AMC's subcompact. Gremlin X production is not published in any source found.
- AMC Javelin The base model was dropped, so every non-AMX Javelin was an SST. This was the first year of the Pierre Cardin interior and of Chrysler-built automatics.
- Buick Riviera Net ratings only for 1972: 250 hp standard, 260 GS per ROA; 2,171 of 33,728 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last A-body GS year before the Colonnade Century; the GSX package, now in many colours, was invoiced on only 44 cars, most of them outside the lower 48 states.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The last Z15 Chevelle SS of the first generation: net-rated engines, an LS5 454 at 270 net hp, and 5,333 SS 454s.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table switches to net ratings; SS and Rally Nova offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 349,733 cars; Super Sport 12,309.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Last year of the Chevelle-bodied El Camino SS; 50,359 V8 Malibu El Caminos were built, and the SS share is not separately published.
- Dodge Challenger Hardtop only, with a new grille: the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package, and the most powerful engine listed was the 340 four-barrel.
- Dodge Charger The R/T and Super Bee were dropped; the new Rallye package became the performance Charger, and the 440 Six Pack was cancelled after a handful of cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The Demon's second and final year under that name: 8,773 Demon 340s, with small Canadian and Swiss-market 340 runs counted separately.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The dual-scoop-hood Grabber in its second year as a model; Classic Industries counts 35,347.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 12,620 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird First year of the sixth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
- Ford Torino The new body-on-frame Torino sold 496,645 in 1972; the performance models were the Gran Torino Sport SportsRoof (60,794) and hardtop (31,239), with the 351 Cobra Jet and a Rallye Equipment Group on the option list.
- Mercury Montego GT The first year of the fastback-only Montego GT on the new split-wheelbase intermediate, with the Cyclone name reduced to a performance option that only a few dozen buyers took.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 became a Cutlass option again, engines were rated in SAE net (W-30: 300 hp), and a Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Hardtops only, single headlamps, four round taillamps, and a 340 four-barrel as the top engine: the 'Cuda carried it as standard.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 In the first net-rating year the Duster 340's 8.5:1 340 was rated 240 net hp with electronic ignition, the Twister became order code A51, and output rose to 15,681 in both compilations.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1972 the GTX existed only as the 440 four-barrel option on the Road Runner hardtop; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 672 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The hardtop-only Road Runner took a 400 four-barrel as its advertised standard engine, and production fell again.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A strike-shortened year: 29,951 Firebirds and 1,286 Trans Ams, every one a 455 HO.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO goes back to being an option on the LeMans, with net ratings only; 5,807 were built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year with the SJ still offered; production recovered to 91,961.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The GTO becomes a LeMans option, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages.