Way cool shift knob!
Here are some pictures of the left side headlight assemble with my version of the XR7-S inspired grille bars.
Steven
Those look really nice, Steven.
Grill looks great!!! Are you using rattle can paint or are you spraying that with a gun? Paint type???
Thanks guys for the compliments. I’m pleased with the way they turned out. I used SEM’s trim black in the rattle can. It’s a little pricey compared to regular rattle can paint but worth the money. I am able to pick it up locally at Single Source. I’m paying right at $15 for the 20oz can. It sprays nicely with the type of tip that is on the can. I had to use SEM’s high build primer before applying the trim black to my tail light grilles because of the pitting in the bars. The high build primer was easy to sand and it’s self etching. So far SEM seems to be a good product on the items I’ve used them on. It can also be purchased in quart or gallon cans for spray gun applications.
Steven
I started on another part of my project, the rear valance. After searching the inter-web and reading comments about the fit issues of the reproduction rear valance I decided to repair mine. It’s in battered shape with small dents and two larger dents near the center that appear to be from a tow truck hoist. I feel the I can straighten it with a body hammer and dolly then apply a thin coat of body filler if needed. When I get it straight I will modify it for the exhaust trim rings.
Steven
I was able to straighten my rear valance and now I will be moving on to the exhaust cut-out modification. I know a lot of Cougar owners use the XR7-G cut-out and u shape trim ring but I decided to go a different route. Keeping with my “What if Mercury” theme for Top Cat I decided to use another XR7S inspired as well a prototype GT-E item, full trim rings with trumpet tips.
Here are some photos of the XR7S and the prototype GT-E with these features.
The trim rings and tips that I am using are the Scott Drake stainless steel 1965-1966 Mustang GT trim rings and tips. Here are some photos of the mock up and layout.
Steven
I’ve always liked that exhaust trumpet look and it will be unique to Top Cat. Great choice!
Nice work!
Love the trumpet exhaust idea. That’s been a long time bucket list item for Copycatvert.
Thanks guys. I have always liked the look of the trumpet exhaust tips in the vintage Cougar photos. I figured I’d go with this mod seeing that it was at least a design element for the Cougar prototypes by Mercury’s engineers.
Here are a couple of photos of the trim rings in place. I still have a little more metal work to do.
Steven
Looking nice. That’s going to be a sweet car when you’re done.
I’ve all but finished the metal work on the valance. It was a little bit of a challenge due to matching the compound curves of the trim ring from side to side and top to bottom. After stretching the valance and re-rolling the bottom edge of the valance I was able to close the gaps and get the metal to match the compound curves of the trim rings. Below is a closer view of the final tolerances between the two pieces. If you look close in the first picture you can see two x’s on each side of the trim ring. This is how far back I had to work the metal to close the gaps. All I need to do now is mount the valance and work the bottom lip while it is on the car.
Steven
Well I did some prep work on the scoop that I will be using. It’s a reproduction G scoop that I purchased a while back from another board member. It had some paint issues and a bubble in the fiberglass.
Here is a before picture:
I sanded it down, repaired the fiberglass, primed it and sanded it again. Now it’s ready for it’s second coat of primer.
I also finished the front end rebuild with the installation of the new control valve and power steering ram.
Steven
Watching you work on this is downright inspiring. My own '67 XR7 has languished for 12 years now, after an engine fire took all the wiring and hoses atop a 5.0 HO conversion, but God willing, this thing will run again this summer, with a rebuilt Autolite 4100 this time.
I don’t have the money, parts, or welding skills to chop my top and go the way you have, but what a beaut. Keep up the good work!
Progress has been slow, but my project is still moving. I finished the prep work on the rear valance and put it in primer. It’s much straighter than what I started with after a lot of hammering and dolly work.
There we two small dents near each reverse light opening that show in the 1st picture. Those have been fixed as well.
I’ve also test fitted the G hood scoop.
Steven
Steven, love your work. In restoring that front brake assembly, are you basically media blasting the parts and spraying the spray and detail grays? Any powder coating? I’d like to know how you got that detail looking so nice. Thanks.
Way back when my 67 cougar was 10 years old I often looked out and wondered what I would have to do to make it into a convertible.
I have always had a convertible to drive.
Now I can watch someone make one. this is great, you are living one of my many day dreams.
I hope to see your project some day when it is done.
DE Mick.
Zoli after cleaning the calipers down with a lot of wire brushing (I was concerned about media blasting this part) I used SEM’s self etching primer. After the priming was done on the calipers I used Rustoleum Hammered Paint. I figured the hammered finish of the paint would work well with the casting surface of the calipers. I used the same process of paint for the other parts of the spinel assembly but I sandblasted those before painting. All of the other parts were replaced with new components.
Steven
Just finished catching up on your project. Looks great. And I like your creativity.