The Unicorn: Factory 427 non GT-E, with AC ... WTFO?

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Community Discussion
41

I have to say I would rather have this car. Just because it is so unique. White with a 427, awesome! Cant wait till Royce gets down there and posts pictures.

42

I hope the car is still intact. A lot can happen in 40 years. I expect that it will have the GT-E exhaust, but we will see. I hope they can get some pictures from “back in the day” but that may be really wishful thinking…

43

Any news regarding pics and info?

JohnB

44

I know it has been a while but has anymore information come to light on this unique Cougar?
Steven

45

Royce has moved to Texas and he is still trying to work out the on site visit. It sounds like the owner may not be welcoming them exactly…

I will call Royce and see what is up.

46

Thanks Bill. I hope everything will go good for Royce and the owner will let him view this rare cat.
Steven

47

Super story. Leave it to Royce to tumble to it, too. That guy has 427 radar!!

Personally, I think I’d rather have this car over a GTE, due to the uniqueness…already have a tag for it, too…UNIQORN! LOL. Dream on, Three.

48

Anything more on this ?

49

Bueller?

:slight_smile:

50

The car is reportedly in good condition, inside storage, not driven in the past 35 years. Original owner refuses to let anyone see it and will not discuss it any further. He has been hounded for the past 20 years by a pernicious collector car dealer who has made it impossible for the owner to enjoy the car.

51

Royce, Thanks for the update. Its a shame the Cougar community looses out on learning more about this car. I guess I can understand the owners position. Maybe one day this Cougar will be unleashed.
Steven

52

This car is technically a GT-E which had its trim, scoop, silver lower body paint and badging deleted. The car is also interesting in that the owner was able to get the factory air conditioning dash and evaporator / heater box assembly installed at Dearborn. There was no factory engineering scheme to install the AC compressor on a 427, even though all the parts for a 390 / 428 bolt right on. So the dealer had to complete the air conditioning installation.

If you restored the car to “factory new” specs the air conditioner would be incomplete.

53

Thanks Royce. Hopefully someday the owner will warm up to letting you see it.

54

Unlikely. He won’t even talk on the phone. The car will have to go through his estate before anyone will ever see it. He’s been hounded to death for years by a group of obnoxious collector car dealers. They have killed any chance to see it or hear his story first hand.

55

Have you tried doing a burn out using your GT-E in front of his house? At least the that would get his neighbors attention. But thanks for trying.

56

It’s too bad there are dealers like that who always seem to up the “douche” quotient to the point that the owner won’t even talk on the phone. I think after the second or third time of someone beating on the door unannounced, I would have to answer the door with the trusty old pistol grip Mossberg. But hey, I am in Georgia, so that scenario is not as uncommon as one would think.

I couldn’t imagine not being able to enjoy my car due to fear of being hounded. Makes me glad I have a small block, automatic base model.

57

I understand yours and Royce’s points for sure. In all honesty and I hope I don’t offend anyone but chances are it was probably a litany of dealers as well as Cougar enthusiast over the years anxious to aquire this rare Cougar that brought the owner to this point. Until recently most of the collector car hobby (dealers and Cougar Owners knew) didn’t know what a GTE was let alone what a factory W code with a/c set up or prep would be. So for me not being able to read and see more about this wonderful Cougar is a pity. It’s sad that the owner can’t enjoy his Cougar like we can enjoy ours.
Steven

58

I agree. The reason we buy/build/keep these cars ins to drive and enjoy them. Not being able to is a travesty. I would anyhow and just ignore those people.

59

That is one thing I have really respected over the years about who has been the keeper of the different registries in the Cougar community. I get more leads on rare Cougars than anyone in the world and many if not most do not want to be solicited in any way but most want to add to the collective knowledge and history of these cars. I have been able, with utmost confidence put owners in touch with the likes of Phil Parcells, Jim Pinkerton, Scott Taylor, Royce Peterson and Dave Wyras and I cannot think of one time where it ever backfired and most times the owner and registrar report back to me on how thankful they were to connect more of the dots. Great job Registrars!

1 Like
60

:clap: :clap: well said Don…

Unfortunately, the XR7S and playboy GTE among others fall into this same state and will take an estate change for them to see the light of day again.