New Member 1971 Base Convertible A/C PS

In August I bought my mom’s Cougar back the family friend who has owned it since 1984. 91,000 on the odometer. It has set covered in a garage since 2018. New paint and new top. Only used by the friend for parades and weddings. I almost wrecked this in the rain when I was sixteen. My life flashed before my eyes as my mom would have killed me! I keep this car in San Diego, at my dad’s house. I’m getting it road worthy so it can be used when we visit San Diego. This forum has been helpful with tips and information. Since it is the “base” model I am going to keep it as original as possible. So far I have replaced the water
pump, coolant hoses, and rear brakes. Have also rebuilt carb ( 2 barrel), flushed rusty coolant, added gear oil to rear axle, and serviced FMX transmission. I’m saving all original parts for possible rebuild/reuse. It is now safe to drive. Need to rebuild front and rear suspension. Also leaks from valve cover, pinion seal, transmission shift shaft, and the A/C doesn’t have a belt on it. All this old tech mechanical issues are right up my alley. I will post my progress as I go. I will try to remember to take pictures.



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Very nice!

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Nice looking phat cat :metal:

Very nice and it must be very sentimental to you.

Nice looking '71. Next thing to do is to check the DOT date codes on the tires. While they may look good, but rubber deteriorates whether it’s used or not.

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/how-do-i-determine-the-age-of-my-tires?

Thanks for the suggestion. I have already planned to replace the rear tires that were made in 2004. I’ll keep the fronts as they we made in 2018 and are not showing signs of cracking. I actually have the receipt for the purchase of the front tires, I have been contemplating replacing all 4 with 15x7 Magnum 500s. Would store original wheels and hub caps. Wil check your link to Tire Rack, thanks,

The Magnum 500’s look great on the 71-73’s imo!

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I do like the looks of Magnum 500s on the 71/73 Cougars. I put American Racing Wheel 5 spokes on the 71 I use to have.

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Love it

Yes, lots of memories. Mom passed 23 years ago

Nice looking car!

same color as mine except w/ a white top/interior…you dont see that color very often out here…

I like the Keystone Klassics myself

Welcome Alanon2Wheels to the CCA forum! Your mom’s Cougar is a nice looking original time capsule cat!

CatsRock those Keystones look good on your black on black vert! Looks a bit like Magnum 500’s.

A less expensive wheel dress up that IMO looks nice on those cars is the wire wheel covers. Clean originals are not very expensive for a 71 and fit the character of the car as it is not an “in your face” bright, flashy, cop attractant car. As you can see, my Cougar is also in that category.

As a contrast, I also have a 73 Mustang that is bright “arrest me” green with a black top, throaty exhaust, original aluminum wheels, which is closer to an “in your face” car.

Speaking of attracting your local law enforcement officer, I’m sure you’ve noticed the old rear tires break loose very easily when you leave the stop light. So yeah, best to replace those sooner rather than later.

These days my cop attracting behavior is confined to riding my motorcycles. This car will be driven in a grandfatherly type demeanor. Although I do occasionally forget that I’m 69. It has an open differential so it breaks the tire, singular, loose very easily when traction is compromised.

The top on my car has been replaced. I don’t know if its the original color. As a teenager, I didn’t pay attention to that detail. I was into Volkswagens at the time my parents owned the car.