The James Bond movie franchise may typically be associated with Aston Martin, but other brands have starred alongside them on screen, too.
Used in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, this rare Mercury Cougar XR7 smashed the pre-sale estimate with a new world record price.
When the hammer fell at the Bonhams Bond Street Sale, the rare muscle car achieved an amazing £365,000 ($495,000).
This is said to be the highest amount ever paid at auction for a Mercury Cougar.
Shaken, not stirred
Released in December 1969, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was the only James Bond film to see George Lazenby play the role of agent 007.
Having to follow several impressive previous Bond performances by the late Sir Sean Connery would always be a tough call. It means Lazenby is often glossed over in movie history.
Fittingly, the Mercury Cougar had to play second fiddle to the attention grabbing Ford Mustang. However, collectors have made the luxurious pony car a desirable item today.
Welcome to Cougar Town
Eon Productions ordered three Mercury Cougar convertibles for filming duty, delivered in matching specification.
Power comes from the 428-cubic inch Cobra Jet V-8 engine, sending 335 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. A three-speed automatic transmission is in charge of handling all the power.
It is said to be one of only 127 Cougar XR7 convertibles built for 1969 with this engine combination.
Red paintwork contrasts with a black convertible. Red leather is on the inside, whilst the producers fitted a set of Kneissl skis on the custom luggage rack.
Who needs four-wheel drive, anyway?
Although a torque-heavy pony car may not seem like the obvious vehicle for a trip to ski slopes, the Cougar was given a special role in the film. It was driven by Bond’s love interest, Contessa Teresa ‘Tracy’ di Vicenzo, played by the late Diana Rigg.
The particular car sold was used in the famous ‘barn scene’ during the movie. Movie buffs will know this as where Bond proposes to di Vincenzo.
After filming, the Cougar passed through various owners, before appearing in a classified listing in the 1980s. The vendor purchased the car, and submitted it to a thorough ‘nut and bolt’ restoration.
After 30 years of maintenance, the Mercury is now said to be in concours condition.
‘An important piece of film history’
Ahead of the sale, a price of between £100,000 to £150,000 ($133,000 to $200,000) had been estimated for the Cougar.
However, opportunities to purchase a Cobra Jet-powered Cougar XR7 are few and far between. Especially ones which starred on the silver screen.
This clearly pushed the movie star Mercury way beyond all estimates, resulting in the new world record price.
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