Hey cougar fans and classic car drivers, my name is Spencer Guimet and if anyone on this forum doesn’t want this gt your crazy. This car is such a master piece of classic styling. I currently own a 1973 ford maverick that I have modified slightly. It has an original ford 200 how I bought it and instead of dropping in a 302 I decided to beef up the inline 6 with aluminum valve covers, aluminum air cleaner, a row of headers and to top it off I fed it a 2 barrel carburator. Sounds means and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I have been in the classic car scene since I was 17, I am currently 21. And if I got my hands on the 67 mercury cougar I would probably give it upgraded disc brakes, the motor if I could get my hands on a 390 that would be ideal but if I couldn’t I would definitly find a newer donor vehicle. The only time I would ever think about using a car as a parts car is if it is 1976 or newer because of smog regulations. I wouldn’t part out another cougar to finish this cougar and I wouldn’t par out this cougar because that is just messed up in my eyes. I believe in giving these old cars life again and that is my passion. My dad has been a mechanic for 30 years and me and him are a good team to tackle this project, we are currently working on a 1972 international truck that we bought for 100 bucks, and I love that thing even though it doesn’t drive, I just got a donor 1977 chevy dually to use to help out the international truck. We definitly have the tools and the experience to complete this 1967 cougar gt and if I was picked to revive this beast it would be an honor because for me to see it sitting there it just kills me to see. To be honest if the rust isn’t structural and it is cosmetic I would probably clear coat over it because the history is in the paint, and if the car is painted all nice it isn’t as unique. This car is definitly a project but I think I am deserving of it because this is my passion and I love finding these diamonds in the rough and bringing them back to the pavement so others can remember a simpler time.
Hello ,
My first question here is , can people outside the US also win this cougar ?
(offcourse myself paying for the shipping etc )
Its my first post on this forum so it might be rude to drop in like that,
but i’ve been on the other cougar forum for some years now and that’s the reason this is my first post here.
Thanks in advance !
Tom
Wow after only one day and this thread has the makings of being the most popular one thus far on the site.
Hey Tom,
This is also my first post on this site.
If you read the “fine print” it says: “Contest is not open to WCCC employees, family members, or suppliers, but is open to everyone else worldwide.”
So you (and I, because I’m Dutch) can win.
This would look great beside the 67 2V I just started on.
Hi Rik ,
I must have missed that fine print
Btw i am from belgium so we could fix it together 
Thanks for the info !
Tom
Hello,
I had bought a project car 8 years ago for my son. A 61 Corvair. He still owns and drives it, a barn find with 28K on it. After that project it was time for Dad to finally get his mid-life crisis over with and look for “my” car. The trouble was every time I’d go to a car show I couldn’t decide which car I liked the best. I love all old cars I guess. I decided to try the “what was my favorite car as a kid” route which worked. It was the 67-68 cougar. I am old enough to remember the Trans-Am series and I always thought that first editions were the best looking cars around hands down. So 2 years ago I bought a 68 basic. It is coming to completion and I took my son to see it at the paint shop with the 302CU 400+ HP, 4 speed automatic “it still uses the C4 trans” and posi w/3:55 gears. The front end was lower by 1 inch and will be a goer. I told Mike “my mechanic” that when I die I’ll be giving this car to my daughter! My son’s face hit the floor. He is just itching to get behind the wheel of my car. Growing up I’d always had Mustangs, 65-68’s only. But the cougars were bought up by the older kids that could afford them. I knew more about Mustangs of that era than most spending lots of time under the hood/dash/body replacing things like heater cores in 0 degree weather in a garage with out heat. Those hoses just don’t want to let go even if you slash them over and over with a razor! But working on my Cougar was very close to the same except all the extra parts. Mostly the steering/front end systems aren’t quite the same and the front headlights have lots of components I would be willing to give this car to my kid who is in his junior year of engineering at M.A.T.C. in Milwaukee WI. He would sell his Corvair for seed money for a true hot-rod capable ready car instead of a Jr. Corvette. That car was fun but it ain’t no Cougar.
And on a secondary note, I’d like to slap those commentators around a bit at the Mecum Auctions. In 1967 the Mercury Cougar was car of the year and came oh so close to winning the Trans Am series yet I’ve never seen or hear a mention of the car coming to auction! Chevy tried, Dodge tried, and Cougars came in 2nd by an ever so close margin but not a peep! If I had the money I’d sell mine with the intent of it being televised so people can understand why these cars are so much more beautiful yet fast but being ignored! 
PS: I’m afraid the red back seat might have to be swapped out. Not for color sake but frankly white and pink hounds tooth material would be an improvement!
Who doesn’t know James Bonds best car was a 69 Cougar Production: 1969 Model year
Engine: 428 cid/ 7.0L Cobra Jet V8
Horsepower: 410 bhp/ 306 kW
Ram Air induction
Ski racks
Convertible top
Cobra Jet Option Package (rare)
It was in the film: On her Majesty’s secret service 1969
It is currently on display at National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, England.
Nice! When we got it the front seats were gone and it was a full on red velour make over. We pitched the red visors and covered arm rests and hung a couple junk door panels just to give you all an idea of what it once looked like.
All’s I have to say is GREEN and WHITE on a stock Cougar??
Brilliant! It ought to be dark green, but still…
Hello,
I would definitely love to be considered for the 1967 Cougar GT Giveaway. This car has all the things a true car guy dreams about; Big Block Muscle, Smooth Lines, Classic Paint Color, Red Velour. Well, ok, not the velour! When I viewed the video, I did not see what is; I see what this car was and what it could be. In that regard, I am an optimistic dreamer. What I am not dreaming about is my capabilities as a “shadetree mechanic” and car hobbyist. I have been developing new skills all my life. I completed a 20-year career in the United States Navy Submarine Service, and everywhere I was stationed, I became a fixture at the auto hobby shop. I worked on my own cars and helped others with their projects, all the time developing new skills. I can now do bodywork and paint, weld in new sheetmetal, rebuild engines, work suspensions, and generally do what this car needs.
I am now retired from the Navy, which has provided me the stability of one home for more than ten years. In that time, I have built a 1,600 square foot stand-alone garage and equipped it for my hobbyist endeavors. The garage includes all the equipment and tools I need to take on this project. I have painted my buddy’s race car, detailed friend’s rides, helped my son’s friends fix their vehicles, and even stored vehicles for traveling co-workers. My most recent addition is a 2-post lift, which allows me declare the garage complete. This would be a terrific first bottom to top restoration project for me, allowing me to exercise every skill accumulated over a lifetime. And of course, I know I will learn some more. But it is time to do something for me!
As far as the direction for the car, I envision the Cougar as stock in appearance to the casual observer, retaining the classic color and vinyl top. My recent acquisition of a 410 Mercury motor would fit the engine bill nicely after a not-so-stock rebuild. A nice Tremec 5-speed would back up the big block nicely. A lower than stock stance would have to come from a TCI suspension package at the front and rear. A set of 17’s up front and 18’s out back on some Magnum 500 style wheels would add to the mystery, but also require some subtle mini-tubs be installed. On the interior, stock appearance at first glance, with sportseat configuration up front, stock in the back seat (NOT Velour), with liberal doses of sound deading under the carpet. A tasteful custom console would round out the package. No super stereo for me, I want to hear that big block roar! A thin pinstripe would accent the already beautiful bodylines, flowing from the front fender and ending in two small words at the rear quarter panel; Poison Ivy.
So make a former sailor happy, and pick me for the honor of bringing this beauty back to life! And even if not selected, let me publically thank my co-worker Steve for bringing this opportunity to my attention. Oc course, he wants me to stop bugging him to sell me his Cougar!
Thank You,
Mike Calabrese
Hereford, Arizona
I am throwing my hat into the ring, see my posting/story below.
Hi, my name is Marlin. I am, for the first time entering a “Win it Here Promotion/Contest”. To start off, I think a little background information on me will help you understand why I am willing to put my time and emotional stability on the line for this contest.
I am a Classic Cougar lover and owner. My father, who is a mechanic by trade, purchased our family’s first and only Cougar; it is a 68 Cougar XR7. He purchased the car just a little over 30 years ago. During its first years in our family it was our family car. We traveled from Idaho to the coast several times in the car. After about 10 years of use as a family car, the old cougar was retired, and my father started a restoration of the vehicle. He built a stroked 351 Windsor to replace the stock 302 V8. The car received a new metallic maroon paint job, with a custom made silver vinyl top. My dad also installed a mustang shaker hood scoop; it was painted to match the vinyl top and a silver strip adorned hood and nose, which also matched the other silver trim. The interior stayed original dark green. Our family had a great time driving around the car. After a few years of weekend driving, my father got tired of the car and looked for a new fun way to play with it. This is when he started drag racing the car at the local drag strip, Firebird Raceway. He added traction bars and upgraded the shocks; although his start times left a little to be desired he did win a few races, my daughter has one of the trophies in her room. He wanted to go faster so he built a stroked 390 big block. According to his calculations the new motor in the Cougar is equivalent to a 444 cubic inch beast. This new motor was used to drag the car, but it appeared that the stock uniframe was getting tweaked at the weekend outings at the track. That was no good, according to my dad; so he retired from racing. This is the exact time he acquired a new toy, a 67 Fairlane GT.
The poor Cougar got parked and was only driven a handful of times over the next several years. My father completed his restoration of the 67 Fairlane. Now he had two toys; one fresh and shiny and one that was starting to show its age. The Cougar got played with one last time about 2 to 3 years ago. During this trip the car suffered a hung valve while traveling 120 mph; that was the story I was told. My dad decided to fix the car one last time. He took the Cougar to a friend’s shop and had the motor pulled. He then went through it and rebuilt the 390 V8. This is when I came back into the picture as it relates to the ownership of the cougar.
During my father’s years of building and playing I grew up I restored a 68 Jeepster , I wish I still had that one. I went to school, became an engineer got married had three kids; damn where did the time go. Well back to the story, my parents needed more room in the garage and they asked me to list the Cougar for sale. I did and my dad had several calls; he never was able to part with the car. Here I come into the picture with my wife. I told my wife we needed another car. I told my wife about the old Cougar in my parent’s garage. I informed her it would be a fun car; it has a “new” motor and suspension, not to mention a lot of family memories for me. I indicated that though it was old it was well taken care of, and unlike a new car I can work on this car if it needs anything. I also weaved a line of logic that pointed out the fact that this is a classic; and unlike a newer car this one would only continue to increase in value. My wife bit and I forged forward and acquired the car from my dad.
Now I owned the car and my wife was using it as a daily drive; this was a little bit of a backfire in my plans, because I wanted to drive it. It was at this time I also started to fix some of the things that I neglected to tell my wife about. The list started with getting the AC back up and operational, still working on that one. I replaced the light switch, also had the drop bracket for the steering ram rebuilt. I replaced a power steering hose; about half dozen electrical components went out, and the rear driver’s side window regulator broke. On top of all that my wife wanted me to install a 3rd seatbelt in the back seat so all of our kids could ride safely in it together. I thought I was finally getting on top of the problems and the power antenna that my dad installed broke, that one is going to be a pain to fix but it is on my list.
So why in the world would I want another cougar? I grew up in a family that loves cars, and I have a new family that loves cars. I want them to have some of the same experiences that I had; that can only be done when you take something from a raw beginning and work together to build something that is more than just a car. I also believe that I have the resources, to over time breath life back into this great old cat. My experiences rebuilding my own 68 Jeepster and helping my father with his cars and my recent experiences with my new “old” Cougar make me a great choice. I also have a laundry list of contacts through my father that can help me address just about any issue that I come across. In addition to all those reasons I am also a recent transplant to the Oregon Coast which is nice and close to the WCCC Shop with all its parts and knowledge. So please consider me and my family as an option for placing the very tired 67 GT Cougar you are trying to find a new home for. I know my family would provide it a new lease on life and it would be a life with a family that is familiar with and respects the Classic Cougars from the mid to late 60s.
Thank you,
Marlin Gochnour
North Bend, OR
I love this line… "I also weaved a line of logic that pointed out the fact that this is a classic; and unlike a newer car this one would only continue to increase in value. My wife bit and I forged forward and acquired the car from my dad. " Anyone here identify with that line? LOL! Good entry!
It’s true isn’t it? 
Falls into the good ole “Buy it now because the argument afterward is worth it”
At least it’s how I got my Cougar!! 
Yes Yes Yes, I need it I would love it and the color is a match for my '69 Cougar.
Therefore I should win!!
I think I should win because…, “What? It’s not open to WCCC employees? Can I at least sit in her a little longer and dream?” 
I think perhaps Bill should create a separate thread for the contest entries only. It seems the early ones are going to get lost amongst this thread and all the chatter. Plus that way people can read the entries and judge for themselves rather than being influenced by the people commenting about them.
When the judging panel narrows it to the final ten then we will start the official vote thread like last year.
Let me know when and we will create the poll and a new thread for the finalists.