WOW, just got back from vacation in the desert and pulled up the site to see what’s new and there’s my lil blue Merc right there up on the banner!!! I am beside myself. What an honor. Thanks so much for the votes. I personally voted for Bob’s vert. Give me a couple days and I’ll get a write-up on it with a batch of additional pictures. I am humbled and very appreciative!!! Thanks guys.
Zoli
Hey, thanks Zoli! As I posted on the voting thread, congratulations! Your car is a beauty!
Regards,
Bob
My car was born as a pastel Blue 70 XR7 H code convertible with a wide ratio 4 speed transmission. It was sold at F. Jones Lincoln Mercury in Oklahoma City. The car was eventually owned by Randy Marble in Texas who transformed the car into an Eliminator Clone convertible. Randy unfortunately went through a divorce and the car was liquidated and it eventually ended up in So. Cal. I do not know when Randy built the car but I am assuming somewhere around 1990. I purchased the car in 1997 out of an Auto Trader add that my friend found for me. It was advertised as a 1970 Eliminator Convertible with a Boss 351 motor. I knew that such a car never existed new but it was an intriguing add and the 4 speed really got my attention.
My wife & I went to check it out and the owner took us for a nice cruise in it. As we returned on the cruise, he took us in an alley and promptly dropped the clutch and lit the tires up. I loved it!!! My wife…. Not so much. She didn’t like the color at all. After taking a day to discuss it, my wife gave me her blessing and I struck a deal the following day.
Randy did a decent job in duplicating the Eliminator clone look but not all was to my liking. The XR7 wood grain dash was removed and he tried to duplicate the camera case finish and it was so-so at best. There was a set of comfort weave Mach 1 upholstery that also didn’t do anything for me. In the next year or so, I proceeded to make the changes that suited my tastes. I purchased a set of new XR7 upholstery from John’s to start my transformation. I purchased all the necessary 70 XR7 dash pieces needed to get it back to the wood grain look. XR7 door panels replaced the spartan base door panels. The Eminger report stated that the car originally came with a center console. It took a while but I found a nice 4 speed console. Then came my only decision that I regret, I found a couple full sets of factory power windows and installed the best set. They have been nothing but trouble for me. Whenever I decide to put this car back under the knife, I will either install a newer style power window set up or go back to manual windows. To finish out the interior upgrades, I had a black canvas top installed to replace the original white convertible top that really looked out of place on the car.
In my brief conversation with Randy Marble, he said he built the engine to fly. 4V heads were installed with a good size cam with an Edlebrock carburetor. The car lobes nicely and revs really well. For an older car, I’d say it does pretty darned good but it’s no match for any of the newer cars out there. Its plenty fast for what it is. The car still has the original air conditioning system that works but sure makes a ton of noise when it’s turned on. I’m pretty sure I will install a Sanden unit on it eventually. I added an Eliminator chin spoiler on it to make the exterior look complete.
The best touch was saved for last. I liked the original style steel wheels but I really wanted some meat to fill up those rear fender wells. One of my customers here in So. Cal is Raceline. They are a wheel manufacturer and one of the wheels that they made was called the Diva. It was love at first site for me. It’s a regular 5 spoke but sooo different than what was on most cars back then. I wanted big but I also didn’t want the rubber band look for the tires. I found a good combination for tires that had enough low profile and meat combined. Back then 17’ rims were considered huge. I went with 17 x 8 up front and 17 x 10 in the rears. I blundered pretty badly in the execution though. Raceline gave me a 17 wheel with a tire mounted on it for me to do my measurements. I installed it on the passenger rear and made careful measurements for a perfect fit. Once the wheels and tires were installed, I found that the drivers’ side tire rubbed on the fender lip if I hit a bump or if the car was loaded down. I could not figure out why. Come to find that the axle on these cars is not perfectly centered. It is off by about .75’ on the drivers’ side. To confirm this, I installed the wheels on my 69 vert that my son & I just finished restoring and the same issue was apparent on that car. I sorta fixed the problem by installing air shocks and keeping just enough air in them to keep the body just high enough that it would not rub too often. I lived with that issue for many years until just this past year I sent the wheel into Racelne and they cut the center out of the wheel and installed it on a new hoop with the correct back spacing. I am now a happy camper. I am looking into removing the air shocks now but I think I want to have the rear springs either re-arched or replaced and install a set of nice shocks with that. I also have an eliminator rear sway bar that I want to install.
The car is an absolute joy to drive. The 4 speed just makes it so much more of a sports car too. Again, it’s not very fast, but it sounds and looks fast. The color has grown on my wife and she now loves it too. The car gets so many looks and double takes when it’s on the road. My wife once said “Holy crap, everyone at this intersection is staring at your car”. People of all ages give me the thumbs up when I drive the car. It truly is a unique car. The paint on the hood and deck lid is slowly fading but for a 20 year old restoration, it still looks pretty darned good. The frame and body is absolutely pristine and rust free but one of the doors recently bubbled so that’s a bummer.
I had planned on having a 5 speed installed for the Denver nationals back in 07 to help make the drive easier but funds and time were in short supply. I ended up trailering the car to the show which was a good decision. When this car gets its turn to be restored, the 5 speed upgrade will be on the check-list as will a either a refreshed Cleveland or a nice crate Windsor.
My original love is the 68 Cougar. I’ve always wanted a 69 or 70 CJ vert and that dream never materialized. I decided to settle on this car and it’s turned out to be a great choice. I was given the first chance to buy Tim Bs 69 CJ XR7 vert a few years back and the main reason I did not buy it was that I was going to have to sell this car in order to keep the CJ. Financially I made a bad decision but when all is said and done, this is MY car!!!
I’m often asked if the car is original or some people say that they love these Eliminators, but I always come clean and say that this car never existed as it sits. I don’t why Ford did not build an Eliminator convertible but I think anyone who sees mine and the many other converted convertibles out there think that they are absolutely beautiful.
I’d like to thank Bill for this forum and giving me this opportunity and for ZMAN (and for some reason I still don’t know his real name) for nominating my car. It is a sincere pleasure and honor to have the Cougar community recognize this car. It was not originally created by me, but I think my personal touches helped make this a unique car. Thanks again.
Zoli
Zoli, glad to nominate your car, it’s one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. Remember, if you ever decide to sell it…
All the cars here are very nice.
(and for some reason I still don’t know his real name) Sure you do, remember back when you helped me out with that company in Garden Grove.
ZMAN aka Jack
Congrats Zoli! Definately one of my all time faves
Congrats, Zoli!!!
Awesome car, even if it DOES ride the trailer…(Mark made me say it!!!)
LOL, congrats, well deserved!!
DID NOT!!!
DID SO!!! (that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!)
Here are a couple pictures to start with. One with the original style steel wheels and 2 of the interior.
That’s proof positive that the right wheels and tires make the biggest impact on ANY car.
Blacking out the grill also makes a huge difference. In particular the center grill and badge except the Cougar really makes the front end look sinister.
Great story 
yeah the look and stance on that car is smokin, congrats on the ROTM Zoli
You got blind-stinking drunk on local micro brews, and dont even remember BEING in Denver! 
Zoli’s 'vert is a VERY nice car! It’s my favorite Cougar.
I’m late to the party, but CONGRATS, Zoli!
Gorgeous car…just gorgeous.
Well deserved ! A beautiful cat from every angle. 
I really don’t know if I replied to this thread or not, but congrats anyway. Really a nice looking ride, one I’d be proud to own.
Congrats Zoli on winning ROTM! Beautiful car and well deserving of its spot on the top of the page. Your back story made for a great read. I love knowing the stories behind the owners and their Cougar’s.
Steven
Congratulations! Super nice ride.
I love it!
Great feeling.
