Many of the cars that defined the classic muscle car era lived on for generations after their debuts. But for one of Lincoln-Mercury’s famed pony cars, its lifespan was just two model years long, making it not only a rare find, but also one that some enthusiasts know little about. Of course, we’re talking about the Cougar Eliminator, which saw its production run from 1969 through 1970.

Mercury’s answer to the raging pony car wars, the Cougar was introduced to the market in 1967. But it wasn’t long before the new model turned an unseen corner in the industry, one that put it in a position not of top performance but rather of luxury in a pony car body.

By 1969, Mercury had restyled its Cougar model, as well as debuted a convertible version of the pony car and added plenty of engine choices to their standard lineup.

That year also brought about the performance-oriented Eliminator package, one which equipped the Cougar with a better suspension and handling package, distinct graphics, front and rear spoilers, one of four colors (White, Bright Blue, Yellow and Competition Orange), one of three interior colors (White, Blue or Black) and an optional Ram Air induction system.

In 1969, the base engine for the eliminator was a 351ci Windsor 4-barrel V8 with a compression ratio of 10.5:1 and a gross power rating of 290hp with 385 lb-ft of torque to boot, while the 390ci GT engine and 428ci Cobra Jet engine were available options. Towards the end of the 1969 model year, the Boss 302 engine also joined the options list.

Although the Boss 429 engine was also offered on some Eliminators, only two 1969 Cougars were reportedly equipped with the potent powerhouse- both of which were race cars, one owned by “Dyno” Don Nicholson and the other owned by Eddie Schartman.

While the Eliminator was a dream come true for performance-minded Mercury enthusiasts, and a viable competitor in the muscle car market, only a limited number were produced, 2,250 cars in total.

In 1970, the Cougar once again received a facelift, this time bringing back a version of the split, black-out grille with wide vertical slots found on the Cougar in its first two years, with an added hood extension protruding out of its center. Other notable differences the new model year brought included updated taillight bezels and a federally-mandated locking steering column in all models.

As the Eliminator performance package entered its second year, the performance-oriented pony car picked up a new base engine, bolder graphics and a black hood scoop, a feature now iconic of the short-lived model.

The base engine for the 1970 model year was the 351ci Cleveland V8 with a gross power rating of 300hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, although this particular engine was supplemented with the 351ci Windsor engine used the previous year where supplies were limited. This was also the base engine for the Eliminator packages, although the Boss 302, 428 Cobra Jet and Boss 429 were continued on as options.

The Boss 302 offered 290hp while the Cobra Jet offered the Eliminator 335hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. As stellar as they may have been, no 1970 Cougar Eliminators were recorded to have been equipped with Boss 429s from the factory.

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Showalter's Eliminator is nearly factory-correct, minus a couple of upgrades that just couldn't be helped.

Just like the first Eliminator models, the 1970 Eliminators featured a performance suspension made up of independent ball joints, independent coil springs, a single lower control arm and an upper A-type arm in front, and a longitudinal leaf spring setup in the rear. The 1970 models also got an increased gear ratio of 3.25:1. These components gave the car superior handling capabilities over the base Cougar models but comparable to other muscle cars on the market. The inclusion of front disc brakes and rear drum brakes also allowed the Eliminator to have optimal braking power.

With new bolder graphics, such as side stripes, black hood stripe and “Eliminator” decals appearing on the performance models, the 1970 Eliminator models were no longer limited to a handful of colors like the 1969 models.

This time around, the Eliminator was available in six factory colors- Competition Orange, Competition Yellow, Competition Blue, Competition Gold, Competition Green and Pastel Blue- as well as a number of non-standard, specialty color schemes.

The number of for interior color options was also increased to include Blue with Houndstooth Check, Black Comfort Weave, Blue Comfort Weave and White Comfort Weave, in addition to the traditional White, Black and Blue interior trim options of the previous model year.

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Although it was right in line with other muscle cars of the era, the 1970 Eliminator only saw 2,267 units leave the factory, just a few more than the year before. Unfortunately, the model didn’t have another year to redeem itself as the Eliminator package was canceled for the years to follow.

Being of rare form, you don’t come across Eliminators very often. But thanks to the passion and determination of Johnstown, Colorado’s Terry Showalter, we were lucky enough to come across one at a show earlier this year. And unlike many Eliminators we’re sure saw plenty of modifications in their days, this particular car is almost exactly as Mercury intended, thanks to a delicate restoration by its owner.

Growing up in the muscle car era, Showalter has always enjoyed cars. But it wasn’t until he was 30 that Showalter ended up picking up this gem of a rare muscle car, one that was an original Denver car (from Johnny Haas Lincoln-Mercury) at that.

“I was in the market for something that was able to smoke the tires,” Showalter told us. “I saw this on a lot on my 30^th birthday, a little beat up but I knew what it was. So I bought it, shined it up and drove it. Educating myself, I realized the car is one of five Pastel Blue on Blue 4-speeds. It was all there, so four or five years into it, I decided to get it back to its original appearance.”

A full restoration followed, one which Showalter made sure was in line with the factory coding of the car.

“What you see was done in 1992,” Showalter excitedly confessed. That’s 21 years ago for those of you counting and she still looks as good as the day she was completed.

Like many of the Eliminators produced in 1970, Showalter’s car is equipped with a 351 Cleveland engine, its original from the factory, as well as a 4-speed closed-ratio transmission, which is also original.

To give these original components a little more leg room, Showalter had the engine bored 60 over and the heads machined, and then he added Hooker headers, an Edelbrock High Rise “Ram Air” induction system, and a Pertronix ignition system.

Pushing the power of the original Cleveland engine to the ground is a 9-inch rearend with 3.50 gears. The only frame modifications that have been done on the car are the addition of frame connectors from Global West.

The suspension remains stock, but Showalter plans to rework it down the line.

In true Eliminator form, Showalter’s car still maintains power disc brakes up front and drums in the rear, although he plans to convert the rear brakes to discs in the future. The car also maintains (amazingly) its original blue interior, complete with the original Hurst shifter, gauges, dash and factory seats.

Topping off the car is a factory-correct Pastel Blue paint scheme, laid by Arvid Umterseher of Longmont, Colorado’s Classic Restorations. Special thanks goes to Umterseher for his paint and body work on the car, as well as “Cougar Bill” Quinlisk and Bob Couch for their mechanical help.

Showalter’s Eliminator is truly rare and unique, making it the perfect example of this month’s Muscle Car You Should Know. Be sure to tune in next month as we explore another amazing muscle car!

Be sure to check out more of Showalter’s Eliminator in the GALLERY below!