1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP

[Paul Ceasrine]

It is apparent that Mercury was attempting to make this car, an 'Executive Performance Sports Car',,,

Recommended for street-driven applications only, with the Automatic Transmission and Hydraulic cammed
427-E engine, Super Competition Handling Package, 3.50 Gears, FR70 X14 tires Radials (5.5" wide),
Power-steering, Power-assisted Front-disc brakes, and loaded with sound deadening material.

The 'distinctive' twin-dual chrome exhaust tips (18" length) under the rear valance.

[Paul Ceasrine]

The 1968 427-E engine did feature the 'famous' 428 Police Interceptor
Aluminum dual-plane intake.

[Paul Ceasrine]

K-Code,

In 1968, the 68' Mercury Cougar GT-E 427/390 HP car was not a
'desired' combination for C/SA.

The 68' Mustang 428/335 HP Cobra-Jet, and the 67' Ford Galaxie 500
427/410 HP were better combinations for the (9.00 - 9.49 Wt/Hp)
NHRA Class in 1968.

The 1968 NHRA C/SA Class Record was around 12.55

[Lee Jordan (3223) A/S]

I had an old friend who bought one of these new. He almost never drove it. He was one of those guys who just liked to have things and not really do anything but look and shine. He sold it not knowing how rare it was.

He also owned Bob Gliddens Super Stock Mustang. 1968 fastback. He let my dad drive it ever so often so he could see the car run. lol

[Paul Ceasrine]

Performance Results for the 1968 Cougar GT--E 427/390 HP

C-6 Automatic with 3.50 Gears and FR70 x 14" Tires.

In stock trim, 15.10 @ 93 MPH

Too heavy at #3616 lbs. for the Drag Strip.

Designed for a smooth road ride (road sports car type performance) with
the 'Special Competition Handling Package' and 123 lbs. of added
'Sound Deadener'.

And, 'Standard Exhaust Manifolds', not the 'special' 427 header-type
cast iron free-breathing units. A restrictive exhaust system, strangled
the exhaust flow.

The 'first' performance suggestion, install a set of 3.91 Traction-Lock
gears (at a minimum), which could get you to 14.75's @ 96 MPH.

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

It is apparent that Mercury was attempting to make this car, an 'Executive Performance Sports Car',,,

I always thought that was a great idea, but from production figures I must have been one of the few. Though a drag racer at heart, putting up with all the drawbacks became less and less desirable for a daily driver.

One of our crowd had a good job as a pipefitter in a manufacturing plant. He bought a new 427/425 Corvette convertible in 66 and was the talk of the town. But three years later he was dating the woman he's still married to and things were looking a bit different. Constant valve adjustments, rough ride, 100 degree summers, and insurance costs seemed to be more important than the thrill of performance.

He bought a loaded 69 Caprice 2 dr with a 427, air conditioning, etc. It had gauges, decent gears and every performance option GM would allow on their "luxury" car. I guess you could call it a Caprice SS.

But it was still a full size car and there were quite a few like it - Ford 7 Litre, Pontiac 2+2, and Mercury Marauder were mostly the same size and perfomance.

Other than the Cutlass SX, which was a combination of 442 and Supreme, I can't think of another smaller car which could give great performance along with comfort. Monte Carlos, Rivieras, Grand Prixs, and Thunderbirds don't count - they were too big and heavy and never got the good engines.

Maybe they were just too expensive. I remember a Buick ad for the Riviera calling it "an iron fist in a velvet glove". Shame it never fit the bill and no one produced a gentlemans' hot rod like an Aston Martin was at the time.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Detroit News (December 1967)

1968 Mercury GT-E 427/390 HP

Not built as a 'drag strip racer'. Designed for the 'sports car enthusiast',
with raw Ford 427 Power.

A well-equipped and stylish sports car, that comes complete with
all the 'bells and whistles' of style. A smooth performer, that is designed
for open road performance.

[Hemi Moose]

[Paul Ceasrine]

Some general specifications,,,,

* Car Weight #3616 lbs.
* 123 lbs. of added 'Sound Deadener'
* The 427 engine weighed in at a heavy 675 lbs.
* Expensive to build
* Regular 390 GT Exhaust manifolds
* Single-point distributor
* Simulated hood scoops
* Nose-heavy car (Bumper, Hide-Away Light Assembly, Die-Cast Hood)

* Camshaft (Hydraulic) .481/.490 lift - 270*/290* Duration - 46* Overlap

* Rating = 390 HP @ 5600 RPM
* Torque = 460 Foot/Pounds @ 3200 RPM

Performance complaint. The car wouldn't rev near the numbers the factory stated. The valves started to float at 4600 RPM's.

Recommendation (For Street Applications)
* 3.91 Traction-lock gears (at a minimum)
* TRW .515 Lift - 300* Duration (Hydraulic Camshaft)
* Higher-rate valve springs
* Adjustable rocker arms

[gt350hr]

Not to mention the 600cfm Holley. The CJ GTE's ran circles around them in a lower class!