Going On A Hunt For Cougar VIN numbers!

Earlier this week I went to Country Classic Cars on a hunt for VIN numbers for
the Cougar database and submitted to the Classic Cougars group on yahoo.com. 
I found seven cars from the 1960's and 1970's. All of these cars are currently for sale. 
Pictures can be found on their website. As a disclaimer, I have no affiliation with 
this place of business. Please ask on current condition of vehicles if interested.

Country Classic Cars
2149 E. Frontage Rd.
Staunton, IL 62088
Phone: 618-635-7056
Fax: 618-635-6287
Store Hours: Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 5:00, Sat: 9:00 - 3:00
http://www.countryclassiccars.com/

1967 Mercury Cougar Standard - $9450
Blue paint (not original)
gray interior (not original)
VIN: 7F91C581345
Body: 65A Color: Z Trim: 2G Date: 30C DSO: 26 Axle: 0 Trans: W
PS, Automatic Trans, Console, Drum brakes

1968 Mercury Cougar Standard - $10,850
Maroon paint
Maroon interior
VIN: 8F91F573951
Body: 65A Color: B Trim: 2D Date: 06F DSO:23 Axle: 5 Trans: W
PS, PB, A/C, Automatic Trans,

1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 - $8950
White paint (repaint) - light blue top
White interior (not original)
VIN: 8R93F510742(?)
Body: 65B Color: O (Q?) Trim: xx? Date: 24A DSO:53 Axle: 5 Trans: ?
Numbers on door hard to read per painted over
Dash pad covering VIN number on dash
Automatic Trans, A/C, PS, PB, Console, XR7 dash

1972 Mercury Cougar Convertible - $10,950
Light Yellow paint
White Comfortweave interior w/ black
VIN: 2F92H541795
Date: 4/72 Body: 76D Color: 6E Trim: CW Trans: X Axle: 2 DSO:31
Automatic Trans, power top, power brakes,

1975 Mercury Cougar XR7 - $8450
Light Yellow paint w/ Green Landau top
Green Interior
VIN: 5A93H532968
No Data plate available
87,xxx miles
351, C-4 Automatic, 3.00 Axle
A/C, Remote mirrors, Cruise, Tilt, PS, PB

1978 Mercury XR7 - $4950
White Paint w/ Brown Landau top
Brown interior
VIN: 8H93F607195
No Data plate available
80,xxx miles
Remote mirrors, Automatic Trans, Power windows, power doorlocks, A/C

1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 - $7850
Light Blue paint w/ White Landau top
Blue interior
9H93H670905
28,xxx miles
Power Windows, Power Doorlocks, Automatic Trans, PS, PB, A/C, Tach

Ford Unveils The 2011 Mercury Cougar

Dearborn, MI -- April 1, 2010

Lincoln-Mercury has unveiled plans for a new vehicle for Fall 2011.  A new vehicle with name recognition among consumers and a performance and luxury heritage - The Mercury Cougar.

Ford Motor Company, not to be outdone by the popularity of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro plans to ramp up the Pony Car wars once again and assume full dominance on the segment by releasing the all-new Mercury Cougar. The Cougar chassis is based on the S197 Ford Mustang D2C platform that began with the 2005 model. The car will be manufactured at the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock, Michigan alongside the Ford Mustang.

2011 Mercury Cougar XR7

Originally, the Mercury Cougar was introduced ton consumers in 1967 as an upscale Ford Mustang. The Cougar shared the same platform as the Mustang from 1967 to 1973 when the Cougar was shifted over to the Ford Torino platform in 1974.  In 1977, the Cougar and Thunderbird were redesigned and shared the same platforms from 1977 to 1997.  Finally, in 1999, the Cougar was redesigned again and downsized to the CDW27 platform and which ran until 2002.

The all-new 2011 Mercury Cougar will come with three engine choices and two powertrain choices currently offered. The base engine for the Cougar is Ford's new Duratec 3.7-liter dual-overhead cam V6 engine that will deliver around 305 horsepower and supposed to get 19 and 30 mpg on city and the highway respectively.

Consumers looking for the more power from Mercury while still saving money at the pump will opt for the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged and direct-injected EcoBoost V-6 with 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine that Ford is putting into the new 2011 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor. Both engines send power to a six-speed automatic transmission, though from there the EcoBoost sends power to all four wheels while the base engine powers only the front wheels.
 
Finally, the Cougar will be fitted with the new 5.0 liter V-8 that is also going into the 2011 Ford Mustang. The 5.0 puts out 412hp of power, 390 ft.-lb. of torque and a projected highway fuel economy of 25 mpg. The new engine gets a 32-Valve, Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) system that works as a critical part and makes it possible for the engine to return those power and efficiency figures.

“This all-new 5.0-liter engine is the next chapter in the development of the world-class Mustang powertrain portfolio,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “It’s a thoroughly modern engine for the times, delivering the performance and fun-to-drive factor that enthusiasts want, while improving fuel economy.”

Behind the 5.0 liter V-8 the six-speed automatic transmission the 2011 Mercury Cougar XR7 will deliver up to an estimated 25 mpg highway and 17 in the city.  The Six-speed manual transmission Cougar XR7 models for 2011 are projected to deliver 24 mpg highway and 16 city. As a comparison the manual transmission will deliver significantly more horsepower and performance feel.

Just like in 1967, the 2011 Cougar steals technology from its cousin, the Ford Mustang.  The Cougar XR7 features an enhanced rear lower control arm to add stiffness, improve powertrain NVH control and sharpen handling. A stiffened rear stabilizer bar for better on-center steering is also included. Stabilizer bar diameters, spring rates and dampers all have been tuned for improved dynamics.

A Brembo brake package upgrade will be available for serious enthusiasts. This package includes 14-inch vented front discs from the GT500 Mustang, unique 19-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires.

As with the 2011 Mustang, Ford is continuing to use new technology on the Cougar.  The Cougar will share the new Electric Power Assist Steering system, modified underbody shields, taller air dam, larger four-wheel ABS disc brakes and its front fascia is also getting facelift for improved aerodynamics. The Cougar will come with a similar version of new Mustang instrument cluster graphics, including a speedometer that reads to 160 mph and a tachometer that goes up to 8,000 rpm.

The tradition of style, luxury, European elegance paired with American muscle will continue on the new Mercury Cougar by adding the traditional burled walnut accents to the interior of the XR7. Options will include 17-inch aluminum wheels; rear spoiler, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescoping column, AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability and 6 speakers, SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system, Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control (DEATC), driver's seat lumbar support, premium Verona-grain Imola leather seating surfaces in two-tone parchment. Other options will include both cooling and heating systems in the seats, heated mirrors, heated cupholders, remote start, navigation, blue tooth technology, Reverse Sensing System, chrome doorhandles, pinstripe kit, and much more. 

Standard equipment includes some of these features: 16-inch aluminum wheels, a tire pressure monitoring system, cloth front bucket seats, power windows, power doorlocks, keyless entry, power mirrors, air conditioning, AM/FM Stereo with single CD and MP3 player, body color doorhandles, carpeted floor mats, ambient temperature sensor and ambient lighting placed in the front and rear footwells and the cup holders. 

The Cougar will be made in three different price points and six models.

V6 Coupe (MSRP: $24,395)
V6 Premium (MSRP: $26,395)

V6 XR7 Coupe (MSRP: $29,395)
V6 XR7 Premium (MSRP: $31,395)

XR7 GT: (MSRP: $33,395)
XR7 GT Premium (MSRP: $36,395)

Ford has announced that no convertible will be offered at this time harkening back to the first two years of the Mercury Cougar in 1967 and 1968.  No word yet on if Ford will introduce a performance package like the GT500 or Shelby, but if they do expect the word Eliminator to be involved.

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If you've read this far and are excited and ready to make a trip to your local Lincoln-Mercury dealer then I have some bad news...

APRIL FOOLS!

Information for this post came from the Ford press release for the new 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0, the Ford Mustang Wikipedia  page, the Mercury Milan features page and a couple of other sources.

Photos were found at http://www.irmaododecio.blogspot.com/. I must say that if that vehicle were released I would trade in my 2010 Honda Accord and buy a new Cougar.

Please advise if I need to take down this content and I will be happy to remove.

Happy April Fools Day!

Really?!? A 2010 Mercury Cougar?

I stumbled upon an entry for a 2010 Mercury Cougar here and I got really excited. The only text was the options and features listed below.  I didn't know if this was real or not so I did some quick searching and found that the image above is likely a prototype from the Detroit International Auto Show or something similar and the pictures below are photoshopped. The nail in the coffin was that I didn't find anything at the Mercury website. I don't know why I got excited in the first place because my first gut instinct was skepticism. In this day and age of new car debuts I would have heard about this development already. Nothing is secret any more. Grrrrr - (no pun intended) - I really liked the car pictured above too...

Engine

2.0L displacement double overhead cam (DOHC)
inline 4 cylinder configuration gas engine
16 valves 125 hp @ 5500 rpm
130 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm regular unleaded fuel

DriveTrain
5-speed manual transmission front wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension front and rear stabilizer bar

Exterior Features
alloy rims 15 in. rims, P205/60R15 tires all season tires, spacesaver spare tire steel spare wheel, variable intermittent wipers rear defogger, rear window wiper

Safety Features and Ratings
ventilated front disc / rear drum brakes child seat anchors
2 front headrests engine immobilizer

Comfort and Convenience Features
Front Seats
4 person total seating capacity bucket front seats
cloth upholstery height adjustable driver seat
Rear Seats
bucket rear seat split-folding, rear heating ducts

Power Features
power door locks power windows, 1 one-touch power windows power mirrors, heated mirrors

Convenience
cruise control power steering, tilt-adjustable steering wheel remote trunk release, front door pockets front console with storage

Comfort
air conditioning interior air filtration, dual vanity mirrors front floor mats, cargo area light

In Car Entertainment
AM/FM in-dash single CD player stereo 4 total speakers
mast antenna

Let's Go For A Ride! 1967 Mercury Cougar

On April 18, 2009, I purchased a 1967 Mercury Cougar. I found the vehicle on Craigslist and I bought the vehicle from a local man who had only had the Cat for about 15 months. He had bought the Cougar from a gentleman that was in the Air Force and stationed at Scott Air Force Base who had brought the car to Illinois from Georgia.

This body style has always been a favorite of mine since I was a kid in the late 1970's and 1980's. Our next door neighbor, Fred McClary, had a 1967 Cougar that he purchased new. His Cougar was burgandy metallic with a black interior and console. He used to take it out from time to time an wash and wax the vehicle so it would be in the driveway for hours. I loved the color combination and the way the interior shined after he applied Armor All to the seats! He kept the car pretty original over the years, but I do remember the car having at least one engine replacement due to a fire and possibly a fender bender here and there.

I had been looking in earnest for another 1967 or 1968 Mercury Cougar that was in better shape than the 1968 Cougar that I had purchased in July 2007 at Mustang Corral. In February 2009, my grandfather, George Ford, passed away and I received some inheritance from his estate. My wife and I decided that this would be a great time to use some of the money on the 1968 Cougar I already owned or look for another vehicle. Finally, I decided that even with the money I was now going to be able to spend on the 1968 Cougar I already owned I still might not have what I really wanted: a reliable late 1960's muscle car with some modern amenities that I could drive to car shows or to work on a nice day.

With the purchase of the vehicle I received the original warranty cards, original owners manual, vehicle registration cards from Georgia dating back to the late 1960's, miscellaneous paperwork on items that had been added over the years, and the October 1966 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine that shows a red 1967 Cougar on the cover! I also received what I've been told is the original 289 V8 engine, the original hubcaps, another set of hubcaps from another vehicle, and a box of miscellaneous parts including the original radio, outside trim pieces, bumper guards, headlight actuators, and even an extra hood. Even the spare tire seems to be original! After research on the original paperwork, I believe that I am the fifth owner of the vehicle.

Popular Mechanics - October 1966

After I got the vehicle home and continued to look it over and check out the paperwork, I ordered a report from Marti Auto Works for the vehicle. Kevin Marti produces reports based on data that he bought from a woman who used to work for Ford Motor Company and saved many documents over the years. You can provide the VIN number and Door Data tag to Marti Auto Works and they will provide a report on the rarity of your classic Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicle. For a historian this is like adding primary source to your bibliography. The Marti report will confirm all of the suspicions that I currently have about the vehicle. First, I suspect that since I received a 289 V-8 block with the purchase of the vehicle that this Cougar did originally have the 289 V-8 as the only other engine offered in 1967 was the 390 cubic inch big block. Second, the vehicle currently has an automatic transmission and as many Cougars were outfitted this way and I see no evidence of a clutch pedal I can only assume that the vehicle came with the slush box from the factory. Third, the vehicle does not have power steering or air condtioning and I would bet these were not an original options as not many would delete power steering after the fact and the dash does not have the extra vents in the middle for the air conditioner. Fourth, the vehicle does have power brakes and many Cougars were optioned with those back then due to the fact that Mercury was selling the Cougar as an upscale "Pony Car" these could be an original option. Fifth, the VIN number shows that the vehicle was built in Dearborn, MI which I don't doubt. Sixth, according to original owners manual that came with the vehicle, this Cougar was purchased at Colonial Lincoln-Mercury in Atlanta, GA on April 7, 1967 and the DSO code on the door tag also corresponds to the Atlanta district. Seventh, when the door tag code is decoded it shows that vehicle was originally painted Cardinal Red with Red Standard interior and the car is still retains that color palette. Eighth, since I also received an original stock Ford AM radio and one of my favorite and longest running FM Rock 'N Roll radio stations in St. Louis, KSHE-95, went on the air in November 1967 that this was an original option instead of AM/FM radio or radio delete. Finally, since I received a set of original Mercury hubcaps with the purchase of the vehicle I have little doubt that these were originally covering the rolling stock instead of styled steel wheels.

Also, I posted information about the vehicle on the Classic Cougars yahoo group to see if the car had been listed in their database as still active. The vehicle was already in their database and I found out that the vehicle had been listed for sale on eBay in October 2006 in Fayetteville, GA.

Since the vehicle is very likely originally from the Atlanta area the body is in really good shape. When I bought the vehicle the odometer showed 52,053 and that could be original, but I bet the mileage is actually over 152,000. There are obvious signs of a repaint as there is over spray in the wheel wells and under the car. The original interior is still intact, but the front two seats have been recovered.

The engine has been replaced (according to the paperwork) w/ a late 1970's 302 cubic inch engine. The hood was cut to add a 1969/70 Cougar style scoop and a Mustang or Eliminator style spoiler was added to the deck lid. A previous owner also added traction bars and the heater has been removed. The only reason that I can conjure for the heater removal is to remove the extra weight for drag racing, but I'm not sure. The original AM radio was replaced w/ an aftermarket AM/FM CD unit with two Pioneer speakers in the package tray. An aftermarket tachometer was added on the steering column. Besides these changes the vehicle still retains a very original feel.


At first I plan to just improve upon the vehicle as it is currently configured. I plan to polish and wax the paint on the entire vehicle. I also plan to use some cleaner to make the wheels shine a little brighter. I also plan to fix some of the essential items that don't work correctly (running lights, turn signals, exterior mirror, etc.). I have already made a list of things that I want to change on the car in the future, but I will discuss those in another post at a later date.