Advice needed - to convert or not convert?

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Community Discussion
1

I am finally getting to my restoration after a short hiatus. I have a 68 S-code, and believe it or not, it is a 1-of-1… very little rust to be found, no rust through, and I believe number matching. To restore this car to its original state would be a very good thing to do, and would be a great cougar. I’m lucky to have it.

However, in going over the items that make a car an official “G”, I really don’t have much to do. I have the correct engine, and from what I can tell the only thing that would cause me major heartburn would be to cut the sunroof into the car. Other than that, what do I need? Some badging… mirrors, a wooden shifter and some gold plated trim for the interior… That’s about it.

So, what would that do to the value of my car? I know it wouldn’t be a real “G”, and wouldn’t go into the registry. It would also not be made to fold anyone… I happen to like the looks of the “G”, and to put an aftermarket scoop on my hood would actually be for me and my tastes, not for anyone elses.

However, I am having a hard time messing with a 1 of 1. I realize I can change it back at any time (assuming I finish it at all), and if I sold it, I would have no problem pointing out that this is a clone.

So what are your opinions on this matter? Would putting hood pins and racing mirrors on the car really be that bad of an idea?

I know it is my car and I should do whatever I want to make me happy, but I’d have an easier time if the car weren’t as rare as it already is. Sure, it’s not a GTE, or a GT or even a G, but it’s as close to a G as it could be without the VIN.

Let me hear your feedback, positive and negative.

Thanks

2

I don’t see anything wrong with making a tribute car, I am doing the same thing. Mine is not a 1 of 1, but a very nice rust free CA car that is a standard 68 with the AC. Making it a “G” car is the plan, mainly because I really like the looks of the car. Being a standard and really not worth a lot, I can make it what I want, so all the wiring is being changed to XR7 and all the “G” parts, from extra horn, lucas fog lights to,…Well the list goes on. I will be making a repo “G” console that will be exact. As for wheels, Im hoping to jazz it up a bit with some after market wheels.

That said, make the car what you want, even if it is a 1 of 1, they are all parts that can be reversed back to original.

3

Can’t most of our cars be a one of one if you go all the way down to such items like “head rest delete or radio delete” or something bugus like that?

Good luck with the project.

4

If you decide to make the car a G clone, take the extra step (If you have the money and the room, of course) and put the original parts away. Get a spare hood and cut that. Same for the front and rear valences. To be exact, you’ll also need the G console. The big no-return item is the sunroof, but if done in a period-correct fashion, that should add value.

5

JMO, but I would leave the S code alone. I don’t get too excited about the whole 1 of 1 concept, but cars like yours are getting harder and harder to find. It may take a back seat to it’s bigger brothers like the GT-E, but they’re pretty good cars in their own rite. And there are still plenty of small block cars around that are very affordable. If you cut up one of them and do it right you end up with a car that’s worth more than when you started.

6

Catvert68, thanks for the advice.

I have already purchased the second hood for that very reason, and I do have the room to keep the extra parts. So, I have been moving forward with that in mind.

Sweetair, you may be right, but I’m not exactly sure about that. I guess if you get right down to it, two cars coming off the assembly line right next to each other with the exact same specs could be considered 1 of 1 if they were going to different DSO’s or something. However, that’s not the case with my car, and the 1 of 1 must be important to someone if they advertise a car that way.

Granted, a car that is the only one built with a particular engine is more important and impressive than say a difference between DSOs, or to have the only car with a “radio delete” option, but my car boils down to a 1 of 2, and of those two cars, one was made with a vinyl roof, and one wasn’t. I think that’s a significant difference, but you may disagree. And that’s fine with me. But I look at it the same way i would if my car was a 1 of 2, and the only difference is the cars are two different colors.

Anyway, I am trying to decide what I’d be most happy with, and right now I’m not sure I’d be happy messing with the car’s options. The biggest change to me is the sunroof, and I’m not crazy about cutting the roof of the car since the roof has no rust.

I guess I don’t have to decide today. Thank goodness!

7

I agree do what makes you happy. Even the roof could be changed back if you wanted after the sunroof conversion. I agree with Al, S Codes are great cars in their own right (I am biased because I have one :smiley:). They might not be GT-E’s, but they are brothers (younger brother :laughing:) in the engine family. I like the G’s very good looking design.
Steven

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6.5, I have a buddy in Oklahoma that has an Hertz G project for sale. Has console, mirror, hood scoop, tilt, and some engine parts. He is looking in the neighborhood of $8000. Originaly a California car. I can’t find my current pictures of it.
Very solid car. I have a Marti copy, that I need to scan.

9

Where at in Oklahoma? Might be able to lay eyes on it for any prospective buyers, provided it’s not in B.F.E…

10

Altus, Oklahoma, I think you’d have to pack a lunch?

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LOL, yup, sure would. Used to go work summers in Mangum, about 25 miles from Altus. MOF, my cousin and I would “cruise” Altus, looking for something…different.

That’s a little far afield for me to go. Sorry, guys!

(About a 6 hour drive from C-ville, OK…:shrug: )

12

It’s interesting, because I often wonder if there are fewer 6.5s out there than GT’s, for example. Seems the dollar amt. isn’t much between my car and a GT, and someone buying a cougar might be more likely to turn it into a GT instead of stopping with just the S-code. The cars would look virtually the same on the outside, but perhaps there was a difference with insurance if the cougar was a GT.

I guess we’ll never know (perhaps someone could ask Mr. Owl?)

Bad joke, I know,

13

One…two…crunch…tharee…

Three licks to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop…(sorry, couldn’t resist the Mr. Owl opening)

On topic, myself, I’d rather have the lesser known S-code, than the G, or GT…no badging equals gullible opponents…?? LOL

14

Sounds like a nice find, we just don’t have anything like that around here, The very reason I have to make my own. Take some pictures!
T

15

I’d keep it original. there are plenty of 289/302 plain janers out there to convert.
If it’s a 1 of 1, keep it that way.

Just my 2 cents.

16

My friend up dated me, he sold that XR7-G to a guy up in Enid, Oklahoma two months ago. Sorry, 6.5.

17

T3 the 6.5’s had badging on the front fenders. The badges were located in about the same position at the GT and GT-E badge. I like the 6.5 Litre badge that was used on the 67’s best :thumbup: , my second favorite would have to be the walking cougar 7.0 GT-E badge :ylsuper: .
Steven

My 6.5 Litre` Fender Badge
1967 6.5 Litre Badge.JPG

18

I stand corrected…

:shrug:

19

Thanks for the update, and thanks for doing some legwork. For a few hours, I was the happiest guy I know! :slight_smile: HAHAHA