Greetings to all. My name is Jim , from El Mirage AZ.
Just thought I would fill in the blanks on a somewhat mysterious Cat. I purchased the Barry White , " Wrecks to Riches "
1967 Tribute #98 Dan Gurney signed Cougar. Currently the car is @ a Rod and Custom shop receiving all of the attention
needed to bring it beyond anywhere it has been in the past.
Happy to answer any questions on the car. I did agonize over how deeply I was anticipating my OCD to kick in , once I obtained the car. I’m determined to bring all the attention necessary to make it a bulletproof driver.
Again, thanks to all who make this a one of a kind place to share the story.
Jim
Welcome Jim, and yes you did pick one of the best places to come to. A quick question on your car. If I remember right, going through a few hands, what ever happen to the original motor that Barry & crew installed?
Welcome Jim, I looked that car over and it really had a lot going for it. I look forward to seeing it again. There is a very active club in Arizona that you might want to check out as well.
Welcome!
I’m curious what kind of attention it needs and what the story is on it since it was auctioned on TV.
I really appreciate the well vetted questions. As you know , well sorted builds are difficult to find. Even then, I really wanted to buy from a builder , not someone further down the chain. Shaman, the car has 306 miles on it since build. Often trailered , rarely driven. My seller was the 2nd owner. 1st sale Russo-Steele 2006 Pebble Beach. 2nd sale was Russo-Steele Scottsdale 2008 I believe. The family I bought it from intended to track and limited street show the car. Last visibility was Good Guy’s Scottsdale a few month’s ago. Original engine was parted out by Racerworld in Phoenix. New engine is period correct 302 2x4bbl , built by same shop. The story about original engine being damaged @ first track event makes sense.
The family that I bought the car from is quite private. Some of the information gathered does not need to be openly shared. I’m sure I will speak with xr7g428 guy , at some point.
Attention needed , some of it anticipated , a lot , in progress.
Before buying , I had only heard the engine run 10 seconds. Fill in the blank - Idiot.
Engine had fuel leak @ rear 4bbl, Russell fitting. I also noticed a oil leak under dash from plumbed pressure gauge.
There may have been oil present @ bottom pressure fitting , and pinion seal drip. I’m sorry, is this too much ?
Keep the questions coming , I evaluate my sanity on a minute by minute basis . This car has captured my heart many times over already , Stupid - tv67cougarguy
Welcome 67tvCougarguy! It’s great to have you here. The CCC forum is a great place with many great people. I remember watching the episode when you car was built. I really enjoyed watching a Cougar get tv coverage. If I remember correctly the could not use the 67 Cougar due to rust issues so a 68 was used instead. Is this correct? Either way you have a fine looking Cougar that is a very nice tribute to Team Cougar. Enjoy and again welcome.
Steven
PS. We need
of your Cougar with this thread!
Welcome aboard! Always wondered where that car ended up!
Wow , you guy’s know much about this car…
Title is a 1968 , you are correct. And yes , there will be pictures. The most descriptive thing I can relate to you is that if you
were building this for yourself , you would spend extra time on under dash , tie wraps, fittings , and a check list on re tightening of everything. That is what is going on now.
Weight is @ 2950 lbs. H/P 350-400 @ flywheel. Brakes are 14" + 13" Baer GT 2. Wilwood master with adjustable bias.
Since I have NOT even driven it yet , I have no idea how it will work together. But I like the basics from above.
There are all items on car to make it street legal . It reminds me of a P-51 Mustang pylon racer. It is stiff , loud , and seems to draw a crowd. So now , off to attend to the bulletproof part.
Thanks, Jim
Welcome, Jim. You can never include too many details about any Cougar for this crowd, especially one as recognizable as this one.
Welcome indeed!
Hi and glad to hear another Cougar is on my side of the valley. I’m in Litchfield Park area. Mayne we can hook up our Cougars sometime.
Matt , nice to hear from you. Yes , we should hook up. I work in Litchfield Park whenever the Wigwam needs me.
For only having the car in my possession for 2 weeks , there has been a lot of discovery . The components are strong.
Build criteria was brutally in the spirit of the original BME concept. I just try to make it a little better , cleaner , user friendly every day I work on it. There is still much to do.
Thx, Jim
Your car is on my DvR- now get it into my garage and I’ll be happy!
Welcome to the madness - and it is as you well know.
Jim, welcome aboard! by now you have found that this site is made up of a great bunch of people! Look forward to seeing the pictures and glad by the sounds of it, the car will be driven.
Hey Jim I live in the park and drive Cougar over to Wigwam to have a beer by the pool. I Drive the car to work most days. See pictures at. http://www.tracymiddleton.com .
Welcome to the forum an enjoy your cat an keep us posted on any updates on it.
I drove my Cougar over to meet Jim today and check out his Cougar. WOW WHAT A CAR 
!!! He took me for a ride and the Cat has much power and sounds damn scary ! Rides super solid and looks fantastic.
I took some pictures for you all to enjoy.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt those are some great looking photos. Thanks for posting them. I really like the look of Jim’s car! Hanging out with other Cougar owners very cool. 
Steven
Very nice pics. I’m glad someone got rid of that SMC logo on the hood. It looked so out of place to me.
Kind of funny looking at the pics of that car and seeing the garage door opener laying in it.