# 5718 - 2022 First-Class Forever Stamp - Pony Cars: 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT
US #5718
2022 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT – Pony Cars
- One of five stamps celebrating America’s love of pony cars
- Pictures the 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Pony Cars
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 25, 2022
First Day City: Sacramento, California
Quantity Issued: 45,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To honor the 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT and its importance to the world of pony car enthusiasts.
About the stamp design: Pictures a dramatic oil painting capturing the very essence of what makes this model of pony car special. Original artwork by Tom Fritz.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Great American Stamp Show in Sacramento, California.
About the Pony Cars set: Includes five different stamp designs honoring a small handful of pony car models that have inspired American imaginations and made them want to own one of these iconic cars for themselves. Also a reminder of the impact these cars have had on big name sports cars we see today.
History the stamp represents: The Mercury Cougar was the luxurious, European-styled cousin of the Ford Mustang. Though the Mustang had pioneered the pony car craze, the Cougar gave it a run for its money.
Established in 1938, Mercury was Ford’s medium-priced division. Plans for Mercury’s pony car began in 1965. The Cougar, introduced in 1967, had many of the same basic parts as the Mustang. But it also had a softer suspension plus sound insulation for a quieter, more comfortable ride. The XR-7 package offered a host of features that gave the Cougar a European flair. These included a faux walnut finish dashboard, toggle switches to control various lights, and vinyl upholstery. The GT was the sportiest version, with a 390-cubic-inch engine, stiffer springs and shocks, wider rims, and faster steering.
The Cougar faced off against the Mustang at the 1967 Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am Series. Both teams won four races each, but the Mustang pulled out a win by just two points. The Cougar was selected as Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 1967 and was third in pony car sales after the Mustang and Camaro.
The Cougar Club of America celebrated the car’s 50th anniversary in 2017. Some Cougar enthusiasts drove thousands of miles to share their love for their favorite pony car.
US #5718
2022 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT – Pony Cars
- One of five stamps celebrating America’s love of pony cars
- Pictures the 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Pony Cars
Value: 60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 25, 2022
First Day City: Sacramento, California
Quantity Issued: 45,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To honor the 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT and its importance to the world of pony car enthusiasts.
About the stamp design: Pictures a dramatic oil painting capturing the very essence of what makes this model of pony car special. Original artwork by Tom Fritz.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Great American Stamp Show in Sacramento, California.
About the Pony Cars set: Includes five different stamp designs honoring a small handful of pony car models that have inspired American imaginations and made them want to own one of these iconic cars for themselves. Also a reminder of the impact these cars have had on big name sports cars we see today.
History the stamp represents: The Mercury Cougar was the luxurious, European-styled cousin of the Ford Mustang. Though the Mustang had pioneered the pony car craze, the Cougar gave it a run for its money.
Established in 1938, Mercury was Ford’s medium-priced division. Plans for Mercury’s pony car began in 1965. The Cougar, introduced in 1967, had many of the same basic parts as the Mustang. But it also had a softer suspension plus sound insulation for a quieter, more comfortable ride. The XR-7 package offered a host of features that gave the Cougar a European flair. These included a faux walnut finish dashboard, toggle switches to control various lights, and vinyl upholstery. The GT was the sportiest version, with a 390-cubic-inch engine, stiffer springs and shocks, wider rims, and faster steering.
The Cougar faced off against the Mustang at the 1967 Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am Series. Both teams won four races each, but the Mustang pulled out a win by just two points. The Cougar was selected as Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 1967 and was third in pony car sales after the Mustang and Camaro.
The Cougar Club of America celebrated the car’s 50th anniversary in 2017. Some Cougar enthusiasts drove thousands of miles to share their love for their favorite pony car.