I recently restored a 66 Thunderbird and I used a well written book that gave every detail of restoring 59 thru 66 T-birds to concurs condition. This book broke down every single aspect of making these cars correct to include pictures. I now have an 69 Cougar and I’m wondering if there is such a book available or anything close for Cougars. I have not been able find anything so far.
I just browsed this one tonight… for Mustangs, while I was searching for meaning of PHB E1 code that appears on the tag attached to my FMX trans.
https://books.google.ca/books?id=WZ9bF45s1cMC&pg=PA223&lpg=PA223&dq=phb+e1&source=bl&ots=rTvUIc5azn&sig=GTlI8gZnS4pme_IK4OJitq4jeoQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QADHVLSvJMGnggS9mIOwAQ&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=phb%20e1&f=false
That’s certainly in line of what I’m looking for. I guess given how close Mustangs & Cougars are produced this will have to do. I’m very surprised a book like this hasn’t been published for Cougars.
Thank You.
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php
This is a good forum for on topic Mustang restoration, lots of MCA judges over there. Many Cougar guys too.
CCOA and Concours Cougar judging has been discussed.
We’ve found that once put into print the resource is immediately out of date. Add to this multiple plants and often different suppliers providing different parts to each plant. Then add again three body styles, lots of engine and transmission choices and a ton of factory options that can change details on seemingly unrelated things.
All of this and more make the effort allot more difficult than for example, the Corvette, who’s club has done a great job of compiling the details related to their construction. Also it depends allot IMHO how deep the subject of “concours restoration” you wish to go. For some any reconstruction of a classic car is a “restoration” while for others a minimum investment will be $60K - $200K
Last effort I reviewed as a 4 inch thick manuscript that covered only one year’s engine compartment (without any engine related details) hardware details. Believe most have found a really good forum with supporting pictures, documentation and discussion a better use of peoples time.
Just an observation
Very good information I appreciate every ones input. My restoration of my 66 T-bird will some what help with the Cougar as well.
Thank You.
Good insight on the dilemma, Jeff.
My understanding is that the various Cougar Assembly Manuals are a good start, but I’m not sure how much detail they provide.
I realize it would be large undertaking to publish such a book. But given the popularity and growing interest in Cougars I’m still surprised their’s no resource book out there. Referencing the Mustang guide will help but I’m sure there are many differences. I guess Cougar owners are to small a market compared to Mustangs & T-Bird owners to make such a guide profitable to publish.
I think that you will find that those above mentioned publications are good for only a snap shot in time. Maybe one week of production, in one factory. You can’t use one unrestored car as a benchmark or example of ‘how they were made’.
Anyone that has worked in manufacturing will tell you that you are dependent on suppliers, constant engineering changes to design and tooling, changes to manufacturing processes that increase output and or quality. This also doesn’t take into consideration the human factor.
Good point especially considering that one has never been assembled for the Mustang - though many use the term “restoration” in their titles
Currently some of us are authoring and assembling guides one chapter and subject at a time. Small bites one might say. Their constructed offered for peer review then published and stored on a limited number of related forums and web sites to help other owners. WWC has done a number of Utube videos sort of in this vein - just a choice and something anyone could take part in. Just need a camera to capture the details, a little writing and some effort. If more people get involved it would IMHO be a good idea to have a standard format or template so that there at least is the appearance of uniformity. On our web site I offer for members that collect pictures and write the text to assembly and organized that info into the sites templates and publish it to the site
Everything in these hobbies springs out of a personal need it seems.
Good Stuff. Thank you.
Jeff