Actually I did see that yesterday and thought it looked bad. but then i was like… oh well it’s his car and I guess he likes it upside down on there for some reason. so I didn’t say anything😄
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The cat is out of its cage! Drove it 35 miles this weekend. I just hope the cat doesn’t attack the horse
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Mine was rescued 2 years ago from a paintbooth where it sat with almost no paint on it since 1989. Was locked up tight and the garage door was buried behind a huge pile of old truck frames, forklifts, etc. In great shape, almost zero rust and everything works, even the headlights. So far did the usual stuff like fuel system, brakes (upgraded to the cool factory four piston front disc setup), valve seals, timing chain, carb, shocks. Runs really strong, has about 60k on it and is completely as built, nobody messed with anything on it. Which is really nice, no old badly done work to fix. Going to pull it apart and do full steering and suspension, plus paint over the winter. I like taking it to shows with no paint and watching everyone freak out, won the under construction class last month.
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Crisp Fall Day, out with the Cat…
Photo: Leica Summilux, Portrait mode
A few related things to share on the car for anyone who cares. This is the 1st ride out with the new strut rods, Moog bushings and bushing-inserts mod, but I used PVC sink drain tail-piece vs the chromed steel as other’s here indicated, it was a much tighter fit. Upon removing the 58yo rods, discovered that they were quite bowed. On the new rods, I adjusted the caster and this Cougar is driving like another car now. The steering is so much tighter & responsive. Plus i still have 3-4 adjustment threads left. The whole car feels different after this project, so happy with the results.
Also 1st time out with majority of restore work done on the face. The nose piece got fresh paint, polished chrome & a new black backplate for the Mercury man. As well polished the passenger side COUGAR/Cat emblem and replaced the faded aluminum backplate.
The biggest and best thing though was doing Don Rush’s grille straightening procedure. Instead of screwdrivers… I used a pack of synthetic shims, along with a heat gun & a strong ratchet strap. Heated the hell out of the L&R corner sections, then pushed in several shims on both sides of each eyelid until the openings were adjusted correctly. Heated it some more, final tweaks and then let it all sit in the garage like that for 8 days. Then installed WCCC eyelid door stops and turned back the factory stop to eliminate any future pressure causing warped corner bars. The result is simply amazing, as my grille was all jacked up, uneven and very crooked ends when I got the car, especially the pass-side. That eyelid rubbed so hard it would barley open 65% Now looks nearly as new, only needing me to mask off the chrome slats and shoot some SEM Satin Trim Black to refresh that beautiful Gen1 face. Engine, suspension, body, interior… over 4 months of hard work poured into this cat correcting, improving, restoring and she’s really started to give it back in many ways. Very satisfying and enjoying the car more now with the progress and results. Thanks again guys for the help along the way on some of the issues.
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I love it. I’ve always liked gold but your Cougar is really making me love it.
- Phillip
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Hey thanks, much appreciated. Since forever, I’ve wanted a car with gold and black combo. Couldn’t have worked out better than to be on a 1st Gen Cougar👍 (which I also always lusted after).
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Obviously, by the time most of us got our dream pony and muscle cars in the mid ‘70s the paint was beginning to fade and oxidate. It is amazing how good a lot of the original colors look when they are fresh and shiny.
- Phillip
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In the spirit of the season, here is a pic of my G at a long abandoned gas station not too far from me.
-
Phillip
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+1 Wow, gorgeous! and i love that surreal aura 
shot too.
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Very cool photo!
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ooh that sounds so good🤌
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Car Looks Great!, What size tires and wheels are you running?
Aww.., if only that sign would somehow dissappear, then someone could take it out for a ride …
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Thanks Pauly👊
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Great plate choice.
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Great looking Cougar. Always liked the Gold!
No, leave it, good advice for anyone starting their first project. Besides, you’ll need it for the final bill. 