Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype
This prototype of the Mercury Cougar XR7-G debuted November 18-26, 1967 at the Detroit Auto Show. This prototype Cougar XR7-G is not a 1968 Cougar, rather, it is an 1967 that has been modified.
![Dan Gurney & 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Dan Gurney & 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1968-xr7g-promo1.jpg)
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![1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Ad Card 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Ad Card](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-ad-01.jpg)
![1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype LM Calendar Blue 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype LM Calendar Blue](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-calendar-01.jpg)
![1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype LM Calendar Green 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype LM Calendar Green](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-calendar-02.jpg)
1967 Detroit Auto Show
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype @ 1967 Detroit Auto Show Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype @ 1967 Detroit Auto Show](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-09.jpg)
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype @ 1967 Detroit Auto Show Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype @ 1967 Detroit Auto Show](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-11.jpg)
Note the Differences
The following images are close-ups of the Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype. Since this was a 1967 Cougar XR-7 that had been modified into the XR7-G Prototype, you will note that some of these atlerations were changed when the 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G came rolling off the line.
The rearview mirror is mounted to the headliner, not the windshield.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Rear View Mirror Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Rear View Mirror](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-01.jpg)
The side marker light and rear reflector didn’t make it to production. Both are flush to the body and the rear reflector looks like it has a running cat mounted on the fender covering part of the reflector.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Side Marker Lights Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Side Marker Lights](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-02.jpg)
There is a small rectangular fender badge located low on the fender that didn’t make it to production. Within the rectangle is an almost square dark area with maybe a running cat at the front. The lighter area behind the dark area looks like it may have some writing on it.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Fender Badge Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Fender Badge](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-03.jpg)
The fog lights are mounted out board where theparking lights would normally be. There doesnot appear to be any parking lights. The production G cars have the fog lights mounted inboard,one on each side of the license plate and retainthe standard parking lights.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Fog Lights Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Fog Lights](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-04.jpg)
The hood scoop has three dividers and the production scoop has two.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Hood Scoop Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Hood Scoop](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-05.jpg)
Hood Pin Clips do not have lanyards.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Hood Pin Clips Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Hood Pin Clips](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-06.jpg)
Right hand racing mirror didn’t make it to production. In the picture, it is mounted so close to the vent window that the window cannot be opened.
![Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Hood Racing Mirror Mercury Cougar XR7-G Prototype Hood Racing Mirror](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-07.jpg)
Dan Gurney has stated that he didn’t have anything to do with the Mercury Cougar XR7-G, except get his picture taken with the cars.
Text from The Big Book Mercury Cougar: The Classic Years 1967-1973
Compare the XR7-G’s
For comparison, please not the subtle differents on a production 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G.
![1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xr7g-prototype-08.jpg)
![Dan Gurney & 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Dan Gurney & 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G](https://cougarclub2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1968-xr7g-promo1.jpg)