The Mercury Cougar burst onto the scene in 1967, ready to purr into the pony car competition. With its wood-dash and fake leather flair, the XR-7 model was the cat’s meow. Under the hood, the Cougar roared with options from a modest 289 V8 to the fierce 428 Cobra Jet. While its design took cues from the Mustang, the Cougar added a European twist with hidden headlights that played peek-a-boo. By 1970, the Cougar was strutting into luxury territory, flaunting fashion-forward houndstooth vinyl.