Welly 1/18 Mercury Cougar Eliminator 1970 Orange

The 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator is a bold, high-performance version of Mercury’s upscale pony car. Introduced as part of Mercury’s effort to blend style with muscle, the Eliminator offered a unique mix of aggressive aesthetics, race-inspired engineering, and collectible appeal.

Exterior & Design

• Features a distinctive split “pucker-mouth” grille, giving the front end a more menacing, purposeful look. 

• Blacked-out trim: The Eliminator package blackened the grille, hood scoop, and taillight bezels for a more aggressive visual presence. 

• Signature styling elements include centre and side racing stripes, an “Eliminator” decal on the rear quarters, and a body-coloured hood scoop. 

• Spoilers: A front air dam and rear spoiler were part of the package to enhance its performance-oriented look. 

• Unique accents: Includes a racing-style side mirror and a “running cat” emblem on the fuel door. 

• Wheel options: For 1970, the Eliminator came with 6" black steel wheels with trim rings or optional chrome “dog-dish” hubcaps. 

• Paint: Bold “Competition” colours were offered — Competition Orange, Yellow, Blue, Gold, Green — plus a few special-order shades. 

• Body dimensions: 196.1″ long, 74.1″ wide, and 51.5″ high, riding on a 111″ wheelbase. 

Engine & Performance
The 1970 Eliminator gave buyers a range of powerful V8 options:

• Standard: 351 cu in (Cleveland) 4V V8 — rated at ~300 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. 

• Optional:

  • 428 Cobra Jet (CJ) — 335 hp, 440 lb-ft torque. 

  • Boss 302 — 290 hp (gross), high-revving, and very track-friendly. 

• Transmissions: Both 3-speed and 4-speed manuals (Toploader) were available; automatic (FMX) was also offered. 

• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive with a heavy-duty rear axle (3.25 ratio standard for many, performance axle for some). 

Chassis & Suspension

• Front suspension: Independent, with upper and lower control arms, coil springs, and telescoping shock absorbers. 

• Rear suspension: Rigid axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, staggered shocks (especially on performance models). 

• Brakes: Front disc brakes (on many equipped cars), handling and axle upgrades as part of the performance package. 

Interior & Features

• Body style: Two-door hardtop, 4-passenger seating. 

• Unique instrument cluster: The Eliminator came with a “camera case” style dash — full instrumentation, tachometer, trip odometer, clock, and warning lights. 

• Seating: High-back bucket seats, often with a centre console and Hurst shifter for manual versions. 

• Performance touches: 6,000-rpm tachometer standard (8,000-rpm on Boss 302); 3.25 axle, handling package. 

Production & Rarity

• Only 2,268 Eliminators were built in 1970, making them rare and highly desirable among collectors. 

• The Eliminator was discontinued after 1970 — 1970 was its final model year. 

• Contributing factors to its short run: rising insurance costs, stricter emissions laws, and fuel price concerns. 

Driving & Legacy

• On the road, the 1970 Eliminator is praised for its muscular feel, especially in high-performance versions (428 CJ or Boss 302). 

• It bridges the gap between pony car and true muscle: upscale Mercury styling, but with serious engine power and race-inspired design. 

• Collectability: Extremely sought after by classic car enthusiasts due to low production numbers, bold styling, and powerful engine options.