I sold my 67 Standard a couple weeks ago, and am now going through the garage looking to purge items that I just don’t plan (or can’t use) on my 67 XR7. I just pulled this down from a shelf in the garage, and now I’m a bit skeptical. I thought this was an original Shelby item, but there are no part numbers anywhere. I’m guessing the emblem is a pewter XR7-G steering wheel pad replacing the running cat emblem. Is this Oval Air Cleaner a reproduction that John’s Cougar’s was selling years ago? Also, is the 6 pack lower piece a repro as well? Would appreciate any and all comments.
That emblem on the lid portion doesn’t look correct.
Here is a picture of my original Cougar oval air cleaner. The way to tell the difference between a reproduction is that the reproduction only has a centre attachment for the wing nut. It looks like your’s may be original, except the running cat Cougar emblem was replaced with the steering emblem.
This is an aftermarket part. The fiberglass base is aftermarket as all the original bases were aluminum.
The top is similar to the ones sold by Valley Ford Parts many years ago and uses a casting similar to the 1968 Shelby but with a separate “COUGAR” name bar. Typically, a head light cover chrome running cat was installed.
The original 1967 Group II air cleaner lids had individually machined “COUGAR” letters and an unplated running cat. They also used the 1963 Galaxie style top casting with out the reinforcement rib around the outer edge.
Thank you Vic for your authentication of my early ‘copy’. I now know to look for the machined Cougar lettering to identify an original. Also thanks to fordnutz for an additional pic of an original. I’m totally bummed, but now know I can’t pass this off as an original Shelby product.
Thanks everyone for the info - What constitutes an original COUGAR oval air cleaner is something I’ve been wanting to nail down.
So - the oval air cleaner in a vintage photo (attached below) looks like the one you have Vick. That is, no raised lip around the edge and no ribs below the COUGAR which you say is made up of individual letters and an unplated “running cat” emblem.
The Shelby American dealer brochure “How To Sharpen A Cougar’s Claws” doesn’t seem to include a COUGAR oval air cleaner. Just a '67 Shelby GT350 style round, chrome, open element air cleaner like in the lower right of the photo.
Scott - are you sure your oval air cleaner is original? What year do you think it was made? Are there any markings on it at all? What differentiates yours from the current reproductions?
- Phillip
Here is a detail of the COUGAR oval air cleaner from the vintage pic that Mercury supplied to the car magazines back-in-the-day.
- Phillip
I bought mine from Mr. Benoit, more than ten years ago, and I recall that he said that it was original.
I also have another one that I bought from Royce a few years ago.
I’ll compare them and take some pictures in the next couple of days.
This is a very interesting thread. All of the group II items are something I didn’t know about, but am now actively looking for!!
