Hello everyone! My name is Jeremy it is time to jump in to the community as I begin the journey to become a caretaker for one of these awesome automobiles!
This will be my third cougar. The first one I got as my first car in the late 80s. 1970 Cougar Hardtop: 351C/auto, light green with dark green interior, and a vinyl top. Second I got in college and was a 1969 Cougar XR7 Hardtop 351W/auto, burnt orange with black interior, and a vinyl top. I installed a 4-speed and repainted it a metallic blue, and removed the vinyl top.
Been a little while since I had a classic to work on so very excited to get to work on the car.
Vacuum Headlight Covers (stay down when lights turned on, I think previous owner added a spring due to a slow vacuum leak)
Door and Quarter Glass (Glass is loose and needs glueing/alignment)
Convertible Top (Replacement)
Tilt-Away Steering Column (Tilting but not going away)
Center Console Repair/Replacement (Crack in storage compartment)
Red Carpet (needs replacement)
AC & Heater (not working)
Dash Pad/Misc Interior Pieces Painting
Engine Bay Cleanup
Underbody Review/Cleanup
New Paint
I am good with the 67 steering wheel, I found a grade A 67 red steering wheel (West Coast Classic Cougar), a red 3 hump lid for the center console (John’s Classic Cougars), and a black XR7 console (John’s Classic Cougars). Just have to figure out how to prep/paint it if I can not locate a red console.
I have already procured the following parts from West Coast Classic Cougar:
Electric Conversion Kit - Grille / Headlight Eyelid Door - New ~ 1969 Mercury Cougar
Door Pull Straps - XR7 / Lincoln - White - PAIR - Repro ~ 1969 - 1970 Mercury Cougar
Trim Ring - Steering Wheel Center - Repro ~ 1967 Mercury Cougar / 1967 Ford Mustang
Exterior LED Upgrade Kit - Repro ~ 1969 Mercury Cougar
Body Plug Kit - Complete Kit - Rubber - Set of 44 - Repro ~ 1969 - 1970 Mercury Cougar / 1969 - 1970 Ford Mustang
Bumpers - Fender To Hood - Set of 4 - Repro ~ 1969 - 1970 Mercury Cougar / 1969 - 1970 Ford Mustang
Emblem - Door Sill Scuff Plate - Blue Oval Ford Logo - EACH - Repro ~ 1968 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1968 - 1973 Ford Mustang
I would appreciate any help locating an original XR7 trunk emblem, red dash filler above the steering wheel, red XR7 center console, and both XR7 door panels in parchment for starters.
I really look forward to joining the community to learn the best ways to restore my ride.
I have a red console and restored red steering wheel, if you are looking for those. That is a really nice color combo! Should be a great starting point.
Randy I took a more detailed look and the plastic on the driver’s side is broken where it attaches to the console storage compartment. Not sure if the plastic could be repaired.
Well, time for an update. I had a few challenges related to finding a local (to me) resource to work on some of the issues for my car. Tried two different local shops to work on mechanical issues (costly and work was so so) and found a local interior guy who ended up bailing on me without doing any work.
I did a post on FB looking for a resource in the Southeast Cougar Club FB group and was able to find a extremely knowledgeable person to work on the car Michael Richards in Newnan, GA. He has the patience of an angel and is in the process of completing a fantastic interior restoration on my car.
Mechanical:
Oil Pan Gasket/Oil Change/Filter
Tuneup - Plugs/Wires/Carb Clean
Fixed Vacuum Leaks/Headlights (Did not install electric conversion kit)
New Power Steering Lines/Changed Power Steering Fluid
Brake Adjustments/Rear Brake Line
Halogen Headlights Conversion
LED Marker Lights
Taillight Sequential Unit with LED Plasma Bulbs
Brake Light Switch
New Radiator/Reconditioned Radiator Bracket and Radiator Shroud
Restored Dash (Gauge Lens, LED Lights, Painted Dash Pad, Painted Lower Dash, Chrome Bezels, Radio Bezel, Aftermarket Classic Radio, Air Conditioning Controls, Blower Motor, Heater Box, Heater Core, XR7 Switches, New Clock, Treated minor rust in passenger floorboard due to heater core leak, etc. - really to much to list)
Restored Doors (Light Switch, Tilt-away Switch, Door Sills, Window Sills, Latches, Locks, Weatherstripping, Side View Mirror Bezel/Net, Speaker Grills, New Speakers, New Painted Door Panels, Power Window Restoration, New Window Felt, etc.)
Restored Quarter Windows (Power Window Restoration, New Window Felt, Painted Interior Side Panels, etc.)
New Carpet, Two New Seatbelts
Next Steps:
New Hydraulic Cylinder Hose Kit Convertible Top
New Top/Boot Cover (Week of Feb 9th)
Final adjustment on windows to new top
Install Door Panels, Side Panels, and Rear Seat
Been a great winter so far…interior and top is going to fully restored. The car is now a reliable driver.
I will be listing this car for sale in March as I bought the 69 XR7 Convertible 428CJ from BAT last year. I have pictures of the restoration and documentation on my investment cost.
