1973 · Mercury · United States
1973 Mercury Cougar: The Last Convertible, the Last 351 Cobra Jet
The last Cougar convertible and the last 351 Cobra Jet year, with production up to 60,629 as buyers shifted to the XR-7.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The Cougar Club of America's Marti-derived production page gives 60,629 Cougars for 1973, this record's own overview states: 21,069 standard hardtops (65D), 35,110 XR-7 hardtops (65F), 1,284 standard convertibles (76D) and 3,166 XR-7 convertibles (76F), production rising from 1972 as buyers shifted toward the XR-7. The 351 Cobra Jet, the key fact this record leads with, cost $74.70 over the standard 351 two-barrel, and the club's table, credited to Cougar ... by the Numbers, counts 3,288 installations, 2,921 of them in XR-7s.1,2
Those 3,288 Cobra Jets split eight ways by body and transmission: 220 standard-hardtop automatics, 93 standard-hardtop four-speeds, 40 standard-convertible automatics, 14 standard-convertible four-speeds, 2,225 XR-7-hardtop automatics, 260 XR-7-hardtop four-speeds, 372 XR-7-convertible automatics and 64 XR-7-convertible four-speeds. This record's own production notes state these eight rows sum to 3,288, and that the overview's XR-7 total (2,921) and the key facts' own XR-7-convertible figure (436) are themselves sums of the partitioned rows.2
This record's own conflicts note carries three small disputes: the 60,629 club total against Wikipedia's 60,628, with the club figure leading because its own body rows sum to it; the 351 Cobra Jet's rating at 264 hp net per the VIN decoder and Wikipedia against 266 hp net from the club's own Cobra Jet registry, with both kept; and the XR-7 convertible count at 3,166 in the club and rarity tables against 3,165 from a separate musclecarfacts.com page, with the club row staying because the body rows sum to 60,629.3,4,5,6
Two engines are documented: the 351 two-barrel at 168 hp and 256 lb-ft standard on every body style, and the 351 Cobra Jet at 264 hp and 314 lb-ft as the sole optional engine. This record documents four 1973 base prices from Old Cars Weekly: $3,372 for the standard hardtop, $3,726 for the standard convertible, $3,679 for the XR-7 hardtop and $3,903 for the XR-7 convertible, none stating their list-price basis. This record's own production notes flag that the 1973 paint table is incomplete, since the decoder's own color list for the year appears truncated at code 4C on its source page, with no complete Cougar-specific 1973 chart reached.4,7,8
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, body codes 65D, 65F, 76D and 76F matching the four production rows already described. No specifications or performance figures survive in this record's own specifications and performance sections, both left empty for the year, a gap that stands in contrast to the detailed engine and transmission split this record carries for the Cobra Jet option alone.1,4
What the record documents in full is the last Cougar convertible year and the last for the 351 Cobra Jet: four body styles resolving to 60,629 cars against a Wikipedia figure one car lower, a Cobra Jet installed in 3,288 cars and broken down eight ways by body and transmission, a rating this record's own sources dispute by two horsepower, and a paint table this record's own notes admit is incomplete because its only source cuts off mid-list.1
Fact sheet · 1973 · United States
The numbers
1973 Mercury Cougar — The last Cougar convertible and the last 351 Cobra Jet year, with production up to 60,629 as buyers shifted to the XR-7.
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
- 351 CJ: 3,288 installed in 1973, including 436 XR-7 convertibles.2
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1973 Cougars1 as published Wikipedia gives 60,628; see conflicts. | 60,629 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 2-door hardtop (65D)1 Standard · 2-door hardtop, 65D · as published | 21,069 | built, model-year | Reported |
| XR-7 2-door hardtop (65F)1 XR-7 · 2-door hardtop, 65F · as published | 35,110 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Standard convertible (76D)1 Standard · convertible, 76D · as published | 1,284 | built, model-year | Reported |
| XR-7 convertible (76F)1 XR-7 · convertible, 76F · as published | 3,166 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 351 Cobra Jet, all bodies2 351 CJ (Q) · as published | 3,288 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 351 CJ, standard hardtop, automatic2 Standard · hardtop · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 220 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, standard hardtop, 4-speed2 Standard · hardtop · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 93 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, standard convertible, automatic2 Standard · convertible · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 40 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, standard convertible, 4-speed2 Standard · convertible · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 14 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 hardtop, automatic2 XR-7 · hardtop · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 2,225 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 hardtop, 4-speed2 XR-7 · hardtop · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 260 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 convertible, automatic2 XR-7 · convertible · 351 CJ · automatic · as published | 372 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 351 CJ, XR-7 convertible, 4-speed2 XR-7 · convertible · 351 CJ · 4-speed · as published | 64 | 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 60,629 total; the eight 351 CJ rows sum to the 3,288 351 CJ total (both per the club tables). The XR-7 CJ count (2,921) and the XR-7 convertible CJ count (436) in the text are sums of partitioned rows.
Paint table: the fordmercurycougarxr7.com decoder list for 1973 appears truncated on its source page (it stops at code 4C), so the 1973 paint table is incomplete; no Cougar-specific 1973 colour chart was reached.
Prices when new *
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cougar 2-door hardtop (standard)7 | $3,372 | original base price as reported by Old Cars Weekly (list basis not stated), 1973 model year |
| Cougar convertible (standard)7 | $3,726 | original base price as reported by Old Cars Weekly (list basis not stated), 1973 model year |
| Cougar XR-7 hardtop7 | $3,679 | original base price as reported by Old Cars Weekly (list basis not stated), 1973 model year |
| Cougar XR-7 convertible7 | $3,903 | original base price as reported by Old Cars Weekly (list basis not stated), 1973 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
This page used to also show a price sourced to J.D. Power's live valuation pages, pulled from every page on this site on 2026-09-24 because those pages can change without our knowing and we have no way to check them independently. A price for this car elsewhere that looks suspiciously exact to what J.D. Power showed may be quoting that same figure rather than confirming it — several sites we checked turned out to be doing exactly that, without saying so.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| H · 351 V8 2-bbl4,3 351 cu in · 2-barrel | 168 hp @ 4,000, 256 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Q · 351 Cobra Jet V8 4-bbl4,3 351 cu in · 4-barrel | 264 hp @ 5,400, 314 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE net) | optional | 3,2882 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (over the 351 2V)2 | $74.70 | 3,2882 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 |
2D |
Red. Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2G |
Med. Red Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2J |
Maroon (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
2K |
Fuchia (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3A |
Platinum (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3B |
Lt. Blue (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3D |
Br. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3G |
Br. Dk. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3K |
Br. Blue Met (decoder code)8 | Not yet sourced |
3L |
Br. Blue Met (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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
A3 |
White Trim with Ginger Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
A6 |
White Trim with Avocado Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AA |
Black Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AB |
Med. Blue Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AF |
Med. Ginger Ruffino & Coninthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AG |
Avocado Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AQ |
White Trim with Blue Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
AW |
White Trim with Black Ruffino & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
BA |
Black Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
BB |
Med. Blue Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
BF |
Med. Ginger Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
BG |
Avocado Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
BU |
Tan Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
C3 |
Ginger Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
C6 |
Avocado Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
CA |
Black Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CB |
Med. Blue Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CF |
Med. Ginger Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CG |
Avocado Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CQ |
Blue Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
CU |
Tan Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
CW |
Black Sebring Knit & Corinthian Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
D3 |
Ginger Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
D6 |
Avacado Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
DA |
Black Natural Grain Leather & Mateao Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DB |
Med. Blue Natural Grain Leather & Mateao Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DF |
Med. Ginger Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DG |
Avocado Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DQ |
Blue Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
DU |
Tan Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
DW |
Black Natural Leather & Mateao Vinyl *8 | Not yet sourced |
EA |
Black Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
EB |
Med. Blue Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
EF |
Med. Ginger Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
EG |
Avocado Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | Not yet sourced |
EU |
Tan Random Stripe B/Cloth & Corinthian Vinyl8 | 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 1973 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 1973
- AMC AMX The Javelin AMX's best year. 5,707 were built, a quarter of them with the 401, alongside the Trans Am Victory decal and the Pierre Cardin interior.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The V8 Gremlin X continued, with new stripes and an available Levi's denim-look interior. No production split has been found.
- AMC Javelin The SST name dropped away and new twin 'TV-screen' taillights arrived. Javelin production reached 25,195, alongside the Trans Am Victory decal package.
- Buick Riviera Stage One (260 hp net) joined a separate GS handling package; 1,234 Stage Ones and 3,933 GS cars of 34,080.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX On the new Colonnade A-body the GS became a Century Gran Sport package; 6,637 were built, 728 with the 455 Stage 1.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The Colonnade Chevelle's only SS year: RPO Z15 on the Malibu coupe and, for the first and only time, the station wagon, with a 245 net hp 454 available.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Hatchback appears in the source body table; SS offered with any engine per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 369,509 cars; Super Sport 35,542.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The new Colonnade El Camino could still be ordered with RPO Z15 SS equipment; no El Camino SS count was found.
- Dodge Challenger The six was gone: every 1973 Challenger hardtop had a V8, the 318 standard and the 340 optional, with the Rallye now sold as a package.
- Dodge Charger The Charger's best-selling year of the original era, 119,318 cars, came as the 440 lost its Magnum name and the car moved toward personal luxury.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Renamed Dart Sport, the fastback's 340 model sold 11,315 in the 340's final year.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The 200 six became standard as the 170 was dropped; Classic Industries counts 32,350 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 15,320 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird The 429 4V was standard and the 460 4V optional in the sixth generation's best-selling year.
- Ford Torino The 1973 Torino kept the 1972 body behind a heavier bumper; the Gran Torino Sport fell to 51,853 SportsRoofs and 17,090 hardtops while the 351 Cobra Jet remained the performance engine.
- Mercury Montego GT The Montego GT fastback's second and last year; a vehicle profile reports 4,464 built.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds On the new Colonnade Cutlass the 4-4-2 was a W-29 appearance and handling option, and the Hurst/Olds came in white or, for the first time, black: 1,097 built.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda V8 only: the 318 became standard on both Barracuda and 'Cuda, the 340 moved to the option list, and production rose for the only time after 1970.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The 340's last year in the Duster produced 15,731 cars with power front disc brakes now standard, and the Spacemaker Pak fold-down rear seat joined the line.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1973 the GTX name survived only through the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, which came with TorqueFlite only; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 749 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner A secondary count puts production back up to 19,056, the highest of the 1971-1974 Satellite-based years.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The Super Duty year: 4,802 Trans Ams, 252 of them SD-455s.
- Pontiac GTO A GTO option on the new Colonnade LeMans, with the 400 standard and a 455 optional; 4,806 built.
- Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac's Colonnade GT with an Endura nose and a 400 or 455; 43,137 built, the Grand Am's best year, with 1,058 four-speeds.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The Colonnade-body Grand Prix arrives, with the 400 standard and the 455 in the SJ.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Colonnade LeMans arrives, with GTO and GT options for the two-door models and a Super Duty 455 listed for the LeMans in Pontiac's dealer book.