Jeff's 1969 Sunroof Eliminator
SEE PICTURES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!
Only once in many years can you stumble on a find of a rare car. As people would say a "barn" find. This is just that kind of story.....
I was driving home from a bid opening in Vanceburg, KY and was on the phone discussing the details of the job when I spotted a '69 Cougar off the side of the road. I really didn't have time to stop and take a look but something made me make a u-turn, hang up the phone and check it out. There in a line of many cars was what seemed to be a normal 1969 Cougar. I walked to the house on the property and asked the gentleman there if I could take a look at the car sitting up front and of course he said sure. I fired up my Palm Pilot that has a program in it that will decode Cougar VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) tags and Door Data Plates. I then walked over to the car thinking that this would just be another VIN to collect for Phil Parcells (National Cougar Database Manager).
After entering the numbers into my Palm I looked at the results and to my surprise the color read "Bright Yellow (Elim. Only)". I was a bit excited, and I immediately looked for the hood scoop and rear spoiler....they were missing but the holes were there. I opened the doors and looked for the other Eliminator specific parts, and they were all there. Here is the surprise....I looked at the roof of the Eliminator and saw a sunroof! I knew right then and there that this was a rare find. What I had was an extremely rare Sunroof Eliminator. Even though I was not in the market for another Cougar I immediately knew I had to have this car. So, I tracked down the owner.
The owner of the car only had the car for about 6 months,
and it was for sale. Here is how my conversation went....
I asked, "Is that Cougar across the street for sale?"
The owner said, "Everything is for sale over there."
I then asked, "How much for the Cougar?"
The owner then gave me the price and said, "You know that is an
Eliminator, don't you?"
I said, "Yes, I do. I already own two Cougars and am fairly
knowledgeable about them."
The owner then said, "It has a sunroof, too. I don't know how
rare that is, but if you want it, it is yours."
I tried to hold down my excitement and said, "Give me a couple of
days, and I'll buy the car."
So the deal was struck.
By the way, the owner had removed the spoiler and hood scoop to prevent
vandals and thieves. They are in perfect condition.
On the way home I ordered a Marti Report to confirm the car was exactly what it looked like. Sure enough it was a Sunroof Eliminator. Surprisingly enough my wife Dana said, "You have to buy that car!". That was the first time I had ever heard her say something like that, probably the last too! I sent the owner a check and started research to learn more about the car.
I still didn't know the overall condition of the car and was looking forward to picking it up. The next week I borrowed a trailer and was on my way with my dad helping. The closer we got to Tollesboro, KY (location of the cat), the more excited we got. When we finally got there we were able to get a closer look at the rare cat. There was surprisingly little rust with the exception of the torque boxes, floor pans and shock towers. Not as much metal replacement as I thought. The interior was okay, and the seats were in excellent condition with the original comfort weave intact. The trunk floors were very nice, and the quarters showed very little rust only in need of minor patches.
So there you have it...I now own a Sunroof Eliminator
along with my other two cats. Now I need a BIGGER garage!!
Enjoy the pictures....
This is how I found the cat in Tollesboro, KY.
My dad looks for rust and any other signs of damage.
The engine was removed but I bought it with the car.
The original non-running 351 Windsor
Carried over from the owner's barn. Will definitely be rebuilt.
All the Eliminator parts are there along with the original options ordered with the car.
The Décor interior with comfort weave is
restorable.
On the way home. Notice the damage in the rear quarter.
On the way home. See the engine in front?
On the way home.
On the way home.
On the way home.
On the way home.
Sunroof from the bottom side.
Sunroof from the top.
1969 Cougar Eliminator
Model Year:
Body Style:
Engine:
Transmission:
Axle:
Factory Options:
1969
Standard Hardtop
351 Windsor 4V
FMX Cruise-O-Matic Transmission
3.00 Standard Non-Locking
Eliminator Package
F70X14 Traction Tires w/ Raised White Letters
Sun Roof
Console
Power Front Disc Brakes
Power Steering
Air Conditioner - Whisperaire
AM Radio
Décor Group
Tinted Windshield
Deluxe Belts / Warning Light
Remote Left Hand Racing Mirror
Handling Suspension