Jay Leno’s Garage recently hosted a rare sight — a 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator fitted with Ford’s 428 Cobra Jet V8. The appearance reignited attention toward one of the muscle era’s most refined yet formidable performers, a car that proved Mercury could hold its own against the Mustangs and Shelbys that dominated Detroit’s horsepower wars.
The Eliminator arrived in 1969 as Mercury’s answer to the performance crowd, blending luxury touches with factory-built aggression. It featured bold paint, spoilers, blackout trim, and an attitude far removed from the Cougar’s typical boulevard cruiser image. Beneath its understated elegance sat Ford’s most serious hardware — the 428 Cobra Jet. Though officially rated at 335 horsepower, enthusiasts knew the engine’s real output was far higher. The combination made the Eliminator a genuine muscle car wearing a luxury badge.
Production numbers were low, adding to its mystique. Only 2,250 Eliminators were built for 1969, and a mere 302 received either the 428 Cobra Jet or Super Cobra Jet powertrain. Depending on setup, these cars could reach 60 mph in under six seconds and cover the quarter mile in the high 13s. Few street machines of the era could match that mix of comfort and raw power.
The car featured on Leno’s show belongs to Emmett Ebner, a dedicated Cougar enthusiast who restored his Eliminator to factory standards. Its authenticity stands out in an era when many classics are modified or overbuilt. With period-correct components and subtle modern upgrades for reliability, Ebner’s Cougar captures what Mercury intended — a refined powerhouse with muscle to spare.
More than fifty years later, the 1969 Cougar Eliminator remains a symbol of quiet dominance — a car that didn’t need to shout to prove it ruled the streets.
