67 Re-rebuild

So after lurking and asking a few questions here and there, I’ve decided to start a thread on my car and it’s progress. Not too much at the moment, but should take some leaps forward in the next few months.

I’ve had my car since October. I searched in Louisiana and the very few cars I found had more rust than I was ready to take on. Searched for Texas cars in decent shape and they were out of my price range. I broadened my search area and found one in Georgia that met my main criteria (standard transmission, black interior, minimal rust damage and to sweeten the deal it has AC). So, I took a Greyhound to Meridian, Mississippi and then hopped on the Amtrak to Atlanta to pick up my Cougar. Drove it from Woodstock, Ga back to Ruston, La without a hiccup – other than the sidewall of the tires rubbing the fender lips on every bump…the backspacing was pretty off on some 10-hole universals that were on it.

I bought the car with intention of undoing what a previous owner had done. The car had undergone some questionable changes, in my opinion. The most noticeable of these changes was the paint color. The car had a maroon base (which I would have been good with), but added in with that was a TON of metallic flake. The car was originally Tiffany Blue, so I am not too sure what the reason was for the change. Ah, to each his own. The biggest bummer is that my dash, steering column, and ENGINE BAY were also painted in the maroon flake. Also there were a few other things such as a rather sloppy job on the driver’s floor pan where, instead of replacing it as a whole, two small pieces were cut out and new patches welded in.

First things first, I had to locate some wheels that wouldn’t rub to get my by temporarily. Found some '04 Mach 1 wheels an hour away with two tires at about 70% tread life. I sold the center caps for $40. Paid $100 for spacers to use and $60 for two used tires.

I planned to start stripping and priming parts and succeeded with the trunk and hood. After discovering my deck lid had a sizable dent and more filler than I liked, I decided to replace it. I went with a '69 lid since the latch cover always bugged me when turning my key to pop the trunk.

I got pretty bogged down with school and work and decided to contact a buddy who does great work. His most recent project was a chevy that he shaved, bagged, tubbed, and tucked 28 inch wheels on. It isn’t my style (no worries, this car isn’t getting bigger than 17’s), but he said he would strip and prime the rest for me… at a super cheap price. While sitting at the shop, his dad, an incredible painter, offered to buy the car from me. I wasn’t interested in selling. He then offered to cut me a super deal on paint and body. This was awesome because I had planned to get him to do it all along. Now the car is at his shop and I am trying to pull funds together to pay it off! :smiley: I’m selling one of my guitars (Rickenbacker 360) which is a bummer, but car trumps guitar collection. I mean, I can’t pass up this deal to get the most expensive thing done for a fraction of the cost.

So, with all that being said, here are some pics.

The car on my first day of ownership:

Before going to the shop:

Interior:

Can’t wait to have it back and on the road! After paint floor-pans, carpet, and dynamat are next. Then on to wheels. I’m looking at Coy’s. Any recommendation on backspacing? I have read mixed but would really like to keep close to what is proper.

Thanks guys!

I agree with you on the paint. That just looks nasty. And I don’t mean the good kind. The interior looks pretty nice. Was it originally a lever car or did the PO convert it? How much is your buddy charging you for the body work if you don’t mind me asking?

Nice project, Good to see another Louisiana Cougar owner. SalD

Yea haha I was embarrassed to ride around in it. Seemed that is should have been rolling on 24’s or something. That sleek classic design of the cougar was just killed.

This is what I’ve got to go on - I’ll buy a Marti soon enough.
7=1967, F=Dearborn
91=Standard Hardtop
C=289 2v
650837= car number 150837
65A
F = Tiffany blue
2B = Blue crinkle vinyl (PO changed to black)
08V = Aug 8
DSO = Dallas
O = 2.79 non-locking
1 = 3 speed manual

Is this correct?

My buddy’s dad is now doing the work. I’ve seen tons of his stuff and it is great. He currently rides around in a 64 Impala coupe that is just clean as can be. He is doing body, engine bay, trunk, jambs, the works for $2500.

Sal, I thought the same when I saw you and the other guy (can’t remember his handle right now) from Nola. I’m from Lake Charles but in Ruston currently.

This is what I’ve got to go on - I’ll buy a Marti soon enough.
7=1967, F=Dearborn
91=Standard Hardtop
C=289 2v
650837= car number 150837
65A
F = Tiffany blue
2B = Blue crinkle vinyl (PO changed to black)
08V = Aug 8
DSO = Dallas
O = 2.79 non-locking
1 = 3 speed manual

Is this correct?[/quote]
Yes, pretty much. The 65A is the body code for a Hardtop with standard bucket seats. Where you list it as car number 150837, it means it’s the 150,837th Mercury scheduled for production at the Dearborn assembly plant. John :slight_smile:

I have 18x8 Coys C-5’s on the back of mine with 4.5 backspace, and they fit well. I have noticed some rub with the L/H fender lip on sudden swales/bumps, but will cure that by rolling the lips a bit.

Fronts will soon be matched with C-5’s in 17x8, also 4.5 b/s. Current 17x8’s have no rub whatsoever(4.5 b/s as well).

Awesome, thanks Mo! I seriously dig your paint man.

And 68puma, I appreciate the confirmation!

Thanks! It was my first try at painting!

Also glad to hear of another Louisiana Cougar owner. I had to go to Houston to get mine, but I had to trailer mine home.
Of course, at every gas station I was asked if I wanted to sell it.
It is originally a California car, not too sure how long it lived in Texas though.

Good luck on the paint for yours. It reminds me of a glitter coat bass boat at the moment, lol.
It looks really straight and solid though, so that’s always a plus.

I just flat blacked mine with plain Rustoleum sandable primer and was pleased with the results.
Waiting to pull the glass to the cowl and headliner on mine. I want to get some drive time in it before it gets laid up for a while.
Just uploaded a bunch of pics into my gallery. I had tire rub as well on the rear, but the new springs cured that. Its in the pictures.

Later

Well mine was SUPPOSED to be getting painted… of course after saying he’d do it for $2500, now it’s gone up another 2 grand. Which, for his work isn’t bad at all… He and his son both win shows with their vehicles, but I won’t graduate college 'til January… so I can’t just come up with extra cash. So what we’ve decided to do is him smooth up all the body work and get it ready for paint… then prime it in black so I can ride without looking too ratty. When I get the extra $$$ we’ll paint it.

Funny that you mentioned the bass boat thing! I’ve actually been calling the car “Ranger” since I got it. As in, Ranger Bass Boats.

So what I’ll do is get it straightened and primed, then move on to smaller things I can afford… like fixing the floor pans, putting in sound dampener, new carpet, and the other odds and ends I can think of.

Now we’re getting somewhere.

Wow, that is some serious flake alright, when I looked at the picture before reading the text I thought the paint was peeling off! Looks like a pretty solid car though, good luck with it!

It won’t be any Isabel, but I love it anyway!

Yea, the flake was so heavy that the car looked dirty when out of direct sunlight.

When you went to pick it up, did it have an 8 track with Aerosmith playing “Sweet Emotion”? :ylsuper:

I haven’t seen flake like that in I don’t know how long. But continued success with the project. You’re to be commended for tackling something so involved while going to school at the same time.

And we know what happened to the last Cougar whose owner tried doing both at the same time…matter o fact, think a pic is posted in the April Fools thread…

Sometimes it is tough to get the funds and a lot of waiting is involved, but it is worth it. School is stressful right now… having to prep for being in the hospital eats a ton of time, but this is my therapy. When I get pissed and stressed from school, I turn some wrenches. Used to be my two motorcycles (Triumph and yamaha xs), but I sold them to purchase the car.

Glad to see the metal flake gone. It’s hard to believe that the previous owner thought that paint was a good way to go. The flakes were so big they belonged in a bowl with milk on them. :laughing: Using the car as a stress reliever is a good idea. Everything is looking good so far. :thumbup:
Steven

Maybe he was self-conscious about the wavy filler he left and thought if he put enough flake it wouldn’t be noticeable. It would have been alright if he just left the red minus flake. Ah. to each his own.

I hear you there. Good luck with everything.