Try going to Photobucket.com Load them there and then click on the image code to copy it and then past it here in your message.
Thank you Don we appreciate the nice words. You will be meeting the Leadfoot’s at the car show in August. We are planning on bringing Dixie Cougar and Kitkat Leadfoot. (both our cougars have their own facebook pages from the car point of view- Yes we are that addicted to our Cougars. My daughter is really looking forward to a Root Beer brown color part off of you past Cougar. That way your Cougar will live on through her.
Hello…My name is Bob…This is the reason i would like to win this cougar…I want to make something completely different that that you might not think you might never see…I am a retired auto restoration tech of 45 years…there is not much that i have not done in my auto body/restoration life…I have had a couple of cougar but mostly the early mustangs…started restoring them in 73 and have had more than i can remember…after doing mustangs forever…i was in my office looking at my scrap pile of parts of mustangs and thought to myself…i want something different…so i pulled one out that looks alot like that cougar that is up for grabs…mismatched parts…green body…white fenders …orange hood…and a bunch of rust…not worth the time and effort to build a car and make a profit …so i took a couple of state of the art polliod pictures…cut them up to see what it would look like if i made a sedan delivery out of one…in 1964 falcon had a sedan delivery…so what would a mustang look like if they had made one…i know that they did make an attempt to do a window wagon but it just didn’t look right…so that is what i decided to do…i have built two of them so far and have a third under construction…after the second one…got a little board with the third one…so i thought that might me a new thrill…i now want to build a cougar wagon…and put it up for sale …if there are any car nuts out there…like myself…well…that could be very cool…and there is allways the others that think i should be shot destroying a classic car…believe me …when people see my pony express they say…WHY WOULD U DO THAT…then they see what the car looked like before and some people say…OOO ok…Well thats why i think i should win it…and give it a new life as a …well not sure what to call it…pony being a mustang…cougar being a cat…??? hope the photos come through…if not i will repost photos as soon has i figure out how to do it…
HEY GUYS!
My name is Axell and i’m from Gold coast, Australia. Up until 4 months ago i had a 1969 cougar i imported from the USA a year ago. It was my first classic car and one of a rare few in Australia. Because it was over 30 years old i was able to leave it left-hand-drive and drive it on the road legally. Unfortunately after over spending $20,000 restoring it, it was stolen from my “secure” parking spot at home. It has not been seen since and i assume it has been chopped and sold as parts
I had basically restored the whole thing personally, with the help of WCCC and a few friends so it was as reliable as it could be. I replaced and upgraded all the suspension and completely reconditioned the engine and tranny, and more things than i can count.
The cougar was my daily driver when it wasn’t being worked on, because i believe in using something and enjoying it instead of storing it away and only getting it out a few times a year.
Having it as a daily driver was the best thing ever
I love Amercian cars and so when my cougar was stolen i turned my attention to an old Ford 4x4 1979 f100 which i have been restoring. I have pretty much finished it so i can use it for camping and some offroad. It is special over here because there are hardly any in Australia and it is pretty much the biggest thing on the road haha.
But i miss my cougar so much and i’m counting the seconds until i can get another one. It’ll cost me around $4000 to ship this cougar to Australia if i won it and i would be more than happy pull the money out of my savings to get this baby!
Basically i would be doing a full restoration so it was like my old cougar that was stolen from me. I’d be doing the majority of the work myself because i am self-employed and can set aside a lot of time for it. I also have a few friends who are mechanics and so i can always convince them to help me out haha. I really liked the paint job on my old one and so i think i would be doing the same again on this one! But my old cougar was only a 351W and i was always wishing i had something a bit bigger for a bit more go so this 390 would be amazing! With a small amount of fender modification i was able to fit 235/60R15 fronts and 275/60R15 rears on my old one and they looked great so i’d definitely be doing that again.
As it happens i am visiting the USA right NOW! I’m here until july 16th with my girlfriend on holiday, and we are pretty much just going by the seat of our pants. So if by some crazy awesome miracle i won this sweet ride, i’d be able to organize the shipping before i left and load it up with parts from WCCC to install back home
Thanks very much for your consideration everyone!
Axell
Here is a pic of my old pride and joy, Which the '67 would look similar too once i was finished!
And underneath a pic of my current daily driver the f100. It is awesome but so ugly! Please give me the cougar so i can drive something sexy again!
Axell,
Sorry about your cougar getting stolen, It was a sweet looking car. Your truck on the other hand, my favorite, you will have a blast with that! Best to you in the contest.
No one deserves this car, the person who is lucky enough to win this car, needs to have the knowledge and skill to do a full restoration. To bring back the car to OEM factory specifications. With some safety upgrades, the person who wins this car, needs to consider how to pick up the car in Oregon and have the correct transportation to ship the vehicle to where ever it is going to be restored. The facility to observe the car to see what the car needs to restore it. The vehicle needs to have all the parts removed from the vehicle and need to be categorized and the place to store the parts out of the weather. Then all the rust needs to be removed, the floor pans need to be replaced, welding needs to be done on uni-body areas. Patch panels may need to be replaced on quarter panels, front fenders, doors, and below rear window. The paint needs to be removed down to metal. The undercarriage needs to be under coated to prevent future rust. Inside the engine bay, it needs to be under coated and then painted semi-gloss black or OEM semi-gloss black. The body needs etching primer to keep out rust. Upgrade front suspension to disc brakes and all new bushings on A-frames, lower and uppers, sway bar bushings, tie rod ends, center link, drag links, power steering, ram and steering box. The rear end will need extra leaf spring to prevent sagging and to rebuild 9 inch ford rear end. Stock 3.00 open rear end. Install new brakes on rear end axel and bearings. The engine; install a 390 ford FE engine with 68 AE-H heads. Stock in 1968 has larger valves. Aluminum high rise intake manifold in a holly 650 double pumper carburetor. Transmission; install a borg warner four speed top loader transmission. Upgrade hideaway headlight system to electric with a three inch actuator. Taillights; solid state, sequential system from West Coast Cougars. Interior; reupholster front seats, back seats, sail panels, package tray, door panels, and dash. High quality simulated leather, new carpet, and floor mats from West Coast Cougars. Window glass, redo all bushings in window glass and lubricate tracks. Exhaust system; dual exhaust, 2 1/4" pipes with glass packs for the right sound. Painting car correct OEM factory color. Buffed out to high luster. Reassembling all parts on the car in the correct places. This would be the plan for the 1967 Cougar GT with 390 four speed car. I built a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 Eliminator Clone still end process of being completed. Who ever is lucky enough to receive this car. This is what should be done to preserve a Cougar. Myself and my sons, I am teaching them to restore the classic cars. We have the capability to restore this Cougar correctly. Thank you for reading this essay. Alfred Sinisgalli, Valen Sinisgalli, and Vito Sinisgalli.
At the end of the summer of 1973 I was about to begin my senior year of high school and had finally saved enough money to buy my first car – along with my dad’s requirement of the first year’s insurance premium. My buddies had Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles and Firebirds – but I wanted something different. We were a diehard Ford family so my possibilities were limited to only Fords or Mercurys – and that was a-ok with me. After searching for just the right car all summer, two days before school began, my dad finally found me a 1967 Cougar GT – complete with the 390 and four speed for $750 (not counting $800 for the clutch I burned up two days later). And so began my lifelong love of Cougars.
My ’67 GT was originally Inverness Green with a Parchment interior but it had been previously wrecked and repainted Black. I spent all of my spare time – and most of my money - working on that car and fixing up what I could. What I didn’t spend on repairs I seemed to spend on gas or tickets because it drank a lot of gas and I drove with my foot in it. But I truly loved it, and like most of us, my first car still remains the favorite of all I have owned.
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/67Exterior_zps0d4ee43c.jpg.html)[/img]
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/67Interior_zps46d54e79.jpg.html)[/img]
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/67motor_zps3585ef75.jpg.html)[/img]
As my senior year of high school was over and it came time for college, gas prices were at the insanely high level of 50 cents a gallon and there was talk of prices even climbing as high as $1.00. Being that I was now a poor college student, a car that got 7mpg – at best – and gas prices being what they were, my ‘67 had to go - a decision I regretted immediately. Although I did replace my ‘67 GT with another Mercury – it just was not the same. A 1974 Capri with a four cylinder motor, although more economical, just did not compare to what I had been accustomed to. Soon, I could not take it any longer and I sold the Capri and bought another Cougar - this time a 1971 XR7 convertible. Because it was a convertible, it was way cooler than the Capri - but it still wasn’t my ‘67 GT that I so desperately wanted back.
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/71Exterior_zps457c6965.jpg.html)[/img]
My ‘71 XR7 served me well over the remainder of my college years and into the start of my professional career – but I still longed for my ‘67 GT. A few years go by and marriage comes along, a new baby and eventually life in general gets in the way and makes an old Cougar not a very practical family car. So the dream gets shelved for years. However, even though I probably could not have afforded it and it certainly would not have been practical, I scoured the classifieds religiously every weekend looking for my- or any - ’67 GT.
Before you know it, more than 30 years go by. The kids are grown, the financial wherewithal is much improved, actual free time is available and the weekly classified search for a ’67 GT has been replaced with online visits to places like ebay and Auto Trader - but still no ’67 GT. Finally, I decided I would have to make do with what I could find. Back in high school a guy that ran the local Phillips 66 station had a gorgeous ’69 convertible parked out front and I always admired that car. So if I couldn’t find a ’67 GT – I would look for a ’69 convertible – and a while back, I finally found one – a 1969 XR7 convertible in not too bad of shape. With a lot of blood, sweat, tears, the help of my mechanic friend, West Coast Classic Cougars, an understanding wife and a good bit of cash, I have brought this 44 year old car back – not to original condition – but more in the style of a “restomod”. But I still have hopes of finding a ’67 GT.
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/Exterior_zpsb2948ea4.jpg.html)[/img]
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/Interior_zps7ca04697.jpg.html)[/img]
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/Motor_zpsad8d6aa6.jpg.html)[/img]
This past May my ‘69 even won an award at my first car show. The hair is shorter, the shorts are longer (thankfully) and the waist is a bit larger but here I am messing with Cougars 40 years later – and still hoping to find a ’67 GT.
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/69CarShow_zpsd7f22405.jpg.html)[/img]
There are not many parts on the ’69 I have not touched and I guess – even though it will probably never be “finished” – it is close - and I now have time for a new project. In fact, I recently completed the construction of a new shop – just to work on my projects. There is plenty of vacant space right now and a lot of room for a ’67 GT.
](http://s1313.photobucket.com/user/bertdowning/media/Garage_zpsa26170f2.jpg.html)[/img]
I clearly have the patience and passion to bring this ’67 GT back to its former glory. In addition, I have the time, appropriate work area, financial ability and I believe I have the necessary skill set. After all, my ’69 is a long way from where it was when I bought it. If I were deemed worthy of owning this ’67 GT would I “restomod” it like my ’69? Probably not. Would it get restored back to original condition? Close – but not exactly. A 390? Absolutely. Four speed? Positively. Lime Frost and Ivy Gold? No way. It will have a Black exterior and Parchment interior – just like my first one so many years ago.
It is hard to imagine how a car that I owned for just over a year could still mean so much to me 40 years later. If you deem me worthy of restoring this ’67 GT and realizing my dream – I will make you proud.
Thank you for your consideration.
To Don, WCCC, and all Cougar lovers.
I just got the sad news about a family who lost their home and their fathers Cougar.
http://www.classiccougarcommunity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2785&p=31232#p31232
I know each of you whom spent time writing about how you deserve this Cougar.
Ask yourself if you are more deserving than these great people!
Please vote with your heart!
To Don, WCCC, and all Cougar lovers.
I just got the sad news about a family who lost their home and their fathers Cougar.http://www.classiccougarcommunity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2785&p=31232#p31232
I know each of you whom spent time writing about how you deserve this Cougar.
Ask yourself if you are more deserving than these great people!
Please vote with your heart!
That just sucks… In the end though you hug your family and pets and grin because you know what matters. At this time in their lives I highly doubt that taking on a project of this magnitude is real high on their list. This cat adoption is a rescue, not so much a prize. Unless you are doing a rat-rod out of parts you already have and time you have to spare, the car will cost more to restore than it will be worth. This car is a commitment that “most” would not want to tackle after such a loss.
Don , and everyone.
I have not mentioned or talked w/ them.
I saw this thread after I had posted the story, and felt for them.
The near future for them is going to be very difficult at best. I know they have the ability to take on a project, but certainly do not want then to be the “winner” and not want this. Sometimes a gift can be the best thing that can happen…even if later, the realization of this fact.
My name is Matthew Daniel and I am currently sitting in the middle of the Afghanistan desert day dreaming about all the many things I would and could do if I won the 1967 GT. See this Cougar isn’t just a car that I could possibly win to me it’s THE car of my dreams. I became, as my wife puts it, obsessed with this car the day I watched George Clooney in Dusk till Dawn, and then seeing Stacy David’s on gears really got me going. Since then I have been looking through ads from Craigslist to EBay to Classified Ads in search of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, but the few I found where always just outside of my grasp either finically or realistically. There are many reasons why I believe I should be considered to win this car.
Sacrifice:
I have been in the U.S. Army for over 15 years and I am on my 4th, and unfortunately probably not the last, deployment overseas. I have completed 2 year long tours in Iraq, 1 year long tour in Afghanistan and I am currently working on my 9 month Afghanistan tour.
I have missed countless birthdays, boo-boos, awards, gymnastics and karate practices, the joys of everyday life and even the birth of one of my kids for the Army. The Army life is what we have chosen so we understand the sacrifices we sometimes have to make, so the time we do get together I want to make the most of it. I want to be able to teach my children something they can carry with them and use if needed. I want them to see what you can accomplish if you give something time and effort, not everything in life you can buy and frankly most of it is not worth the money. Thankfully my wife has always and will always remind by my side to play both mama and daddy roles. For her I am sure it is sometimes like raising 4 kids instead of three.
I dream about working on this car with my children and teaching them along the way while building many, many memories.
Qualifications:
I’ve been working on cars since I was a kid. I was always a self learner which mostly involved researching how to do something if my step dad didn’t know, then trial and error. Taking things apart, repairing them and putting them back together has really helped me not only understand how items work, but in all my career adventures: as a chain saw repair man in a saw shop; aircraft mechanic for the US Navy; and as a Chinook maintenance test pilot in the US Army.
My researching and military experiences have helped me convert my 1977 Ford into a F250 Cummins Diesel, with an NV4500 Chevy transmission and NP205 Transfer case. I have had to do a lot of contemplating on this one and figure out frame cuts and reinforcements, clutch parts, bell housings, drive shafts, radiator supports, inter cooler, and the hard one for me - wiring that beast. All while keeping the look of 1977.
Older cars fascinate me. I love their body lines, square nose, their tough stance and the smell when you when you crawl in one. My plans for this car, is for people to get in and instantly be blasted to 1967. Of course we will be bringing it to the future in some ways as well.
The interior will have all new floor pans of course along with a rust coat followed by Dynamat and a quality carpet. The original dash cluster will remain with some extra gauges to help out with monitoring the beast under the hood. The classic cougar long console will split the newly leather skinned seats. The under body will be completely under coated as well for years of no worries and for a cool and quite ride. Newer safety items and some other things that go good on hot days but for the most part it will be all original. The body will be a blast from the past as well, with all the trim in all the right places. The color will depend on the original one and if we all like it or not. If not then maybe we will go with a two tone color of maybe a pearl white and the hood having two stain black strips that extend out to the finders with the raised center of the hood being the pearl color. As for the suspension, it will all be replaced to ride and handle like the top cars of today. With the front wheels tucked up just inside the finder wells on an IFS set up and in the rear leafs will be replaced with a torque arm system. Disc brakes will be all round. This car has to handle as good as it looks if my babies are going to riding in it. The engine bay will be as clean as possible so all you see is the 460 big block all dressed up with over 500 horse power. A Magnaflow will lead the exhaust out to the rear but when we are feeling a little wild we will open the cutout valves and make some noise. As for the transmission, it will be a magnum six speed from Tremec. Love shifting those gears. As for the wheels I really like the look of the Schott wheels that were used on gears, the modsport KO, just a nice clean classic look. I truly love classic cars and something about the cougar, maybe the straight square grill or the long nose, but one thing is for sure, Weather we win this one or not we will find ourselves a classic cougar to rebuild.
Winning the 1967 Mercury Cougar would mean the world to me and build memories with my family. I would do anything for one of these cars. And there is no need to worry – this car will stay in my family forever!!!
I thank you for opportunity – Matthew Daniel
mattd47@gmail.com
Dear Friends of WCCC and “The Cougar World”
The following essay will explain why I should “win” this classic cougar. You see, when I received the invitation to write an essay, I immediately shared it with my wife and her dynamic response was “honey you have to do this for two specific reasons. First, you always wanted to restore an older car, second, you were born in 1967, what an excellent opportunity!”
I have been employed in the collision industry for 26 years and have been involved in every aspect of the repair process from writing an estimate to ordering the parts. Repairing frames, uni-body’s, sheet metal, prep and refinishing. Including a few restorations. Problem is that they were never my projects and finances restricted me from just going out and purchasing one.
There is a great parallel between cars and people. I enjoy being with people, I also enjoy “cars.” Each individual, as cars, has potential, we are unique and have a specific useful purpose in life, However too many people are products of their environment, good willed people who make poor choices and bad decisions usually leads them down the path to total despair and of little value. They need someone to come along side of them to encourage, to believe in them, to show confidence in them. What they really need is someone who will help them become “totally restored.” So now they are again what they were originally meant to be a useful, productive and positive individual.
This good old cougar is no different. One day it was brand new. The engineers were proud to see leave the drawing board and hit the production line. Each assembly worker did their job with confidence. The dealership which took delivery of this car was delighted as well as the salesman who sold the car to it first owners. Many people with a variety of gifts, abilities and purpose, made it possible for this cougar to come to life and bring a smile to the new owner.
Unfortunately, as the years passed, as the elements beat up on it and ownership changed, this poor car became neglected and lost its full potential slowly deteriorating to its current condition. This car is pleading for me to come along side of it, to rescue it. Desiring to be brought back to a productive, meaningful life, wanting to experience its full original potential. Once more, many people will have the ability to share their expertise in this great venture. From the guy at the tire shop to the counter pro at the local paint supplier. The great folks at WCCC and my family and friends. Everyone will receive great satisfaction knowing they have contributed to another project of reviving-restoring this “special car” putting it back to its original beauty, rescuing it from total destruction.
I have the desire, skill, and ability to make this classic cougar come roaring back to life. At the same time I also would feel extremely honored and privileged to own this true classic automobile. “A priceless piece of American history.’ (p.s. there is something unique about this cougar that has captivated my thoughts and attention from the first time I saw a photo of it on-line)
Sincerely: Dalton Weber
They’re falling off the turnip truck now. LOL
^^^hahahaha…subtle! hahahahaha^^^

I also would feel extremely honored and privileged to own this true classic automobile. “A priceless piece of American history.’ (p.s. there is something unique about this cougar that has captivated my thoughts and attention from the first time I saw a photo of it on-line)
Sincerely: Dalton Weber
I like it! How close is the build date to your birthday? Is it the red velour that draws you in? Do tell! Thanks for the entry, the passion, skill and resources all seem to be in place which should make you a contender.
Hello Fellow Mercury Cougar entusiasts! My name is Christian Ferrari-Wolff. I am 16 years of age and have been a car enthusiast for as long as I can remember. I have accelerated and have recently graduated from high-school. It is my dream to restore old cars, and I have had this dream since childhood. My favorite car is the Mercury Cougar, and I particularly appreciate the rare GT model. I have dreamed of purchasing and restoring a Mercury Cougar for years. I am just starting to pursue my dream of restoring cars, and I will be soon taking an automotive class to learn body work and auto mechanics. I have been told throughout my life to do what I love, and to pursue my dreams. My mother is giving me full support for me to be able to follow my dream. I am very eager to begin my life and career of restoring classic cars and putting them back on the road. In my childhood, I have spent a great deal of my time reading books about cars, mechanics, and classic car interiors. I appreciate this opportunity to restore this beautiful 1967 Mercury Cougar.
I love all 1967-73 Mercury Cougars regardless of color, engine or condition, but I particularly appreciate this 1967 GT Cougar. I feel that so many aspects of this car are unique. I feel that the original lime green paint is remarkable, and I admire this car’s ivy gold interior, as I feel that it makes the car special. I see remarkable potential and originality in this particular Mercury Cougar. This would also be my first Mercury Cougar. I would be grateful to say that this outstanding car was my first Mercury Cougar, and that I wrote from my heart to get it. I see myself in this particular car, as I believe that we are both very unique and both have the potential to be great.
I feel that I should be given the opportunity to restore this Cougar GT for several reasons. I absolutely love these fabulous muscle cars, and I am extremely passionate about Mercury Cougars, as well as classic Mercury cars in general. I would never quit on or abandon this project car, and I feel that I have the determination necessary to restore this car. I currently have a job working for my mother, and I am making some money, which I would love to use to restore this Cougar. I have an empty garage to store this Cougar in as well. I feel that owning this Cougar would be my first leap into my career, and I feel it would give me even more determination to follow my dream. I feel that owning and restoring this Cougar would help me in the fact that I may learn from restoring it. I am extremely meticulous about my work, and I would not stop working on this Cougar until I feel that it is perfect.
I would be tremendously pleased to have the opportunity to restore this car, and would love to see it look as if it just rolled out of the factory. As I have stated above, this car would also be my first Mercury Cougar, and I would always hold it near and dear to my heart. I would take very good care of this car before and after its restoration, and I would never let this car back into a junkyard under any circumstance. I, asa Mercury Cougar and muscle car enthusiast, would be honored, grateful and pleased to have the opportunity to watch this car progress from rolling out of a scrap yard to winning trophies in car shows. I would be very pleased to honestly make known that my first Mercury Cougar was a rare GT model, with a two-tone lime green paint job and an ivy gold interior. I would devote myself completely to working on this Cougar.
Thank you West Coast Classic Cougar. I am grateful beyond words to even have this chance.
what better way to spend time with my 13 year old son kyle than to help build his first car . back when i was 14 my dad did the same with me, but my first car was a 1957 ford fairlane, had it till i went to collage what a car. right now i have a 1970 cougar that i have had for 29 years and my son thinks its going to be his, boy wont he be sad . but what i will do is let kyle have the 351 cleavland when i pull it and replace it with the 514 i just compleated . and dont think for a second that ill be diong all the work, that boy of mine can turn wrench better than some of our friends and that saying alot.
all the best
dale
They’re falling off the turnip truck now. LOL
Is that the same as “they’re coming out of the woodwork”?
Some good reading this week! Nicely done, people.

My name is Matthew Daniel and I am currently sitting in the middle of the Afghanistan desert day dreaming about all the many things I would and could do if I won the 1967 GT. See this Cougar isn’t just a car that I could possibly win to me it’s THE car of my dreams. I became, as my wife puts it, obsessed with this car the day I watched George Clooney in Dusk till Dawn, and then seeing Stacy David’s on gears really got me going. Since then I have been looking through ads from Craigslist to EBay to Classified Ads in search of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, but the few I found where always just outside of my grasp either finically or realistically. There are many reasons why I believe I should be considered to win this car.
Sacrifice:
I have been in the U.S. Army for over 15 years and I am on my 4th, and unfortunately probably not the last, deployment overseas. I have completed 2 year long tours in Iraq, 1 year long tour in Afghanistan and I am currently working on my 9 month Afghanistan tour.
I have missed countless birthdays, boo-boos, awards, gymnastics and karate practices, the joys of everyday life and even the birth of one of my kids for the Army. The Army life is what we have chosen so we understand the sacrifices we sometimes have to make, so the time we do get together I want to make the most of it. I want to be able to teach my children something they can carry with them and use if needed. I want them to see what you can accomplish if you give something time and effort, not everything in life you can buy and frankly most of it is not worth the money. Thankfully my wife has always and will always remind by my side to play both mama and daddy roles. For her I am sure it is sometimes like raising 4 kids instead of three.
I dream about working on this car with my children and teaching them along the way while building many, many memories.
Qualifications:
I’ve been working on cars since I was a kid. I was always a self learner which mostly involved researching how to do something if my step dad didn’t know, then trial and error. Taking things apart, repairing them and putting them back together has really helped me not only understand how items work, but in all my career adventures: as a chain saw repair man in a saw shop; aircraft mechanic for the US Navy; and as a Chinook maintenance test pilot in the US Army.
My researching and military experiences have helped me convert my 1977 Ford into a F250 Cummins Diesel, with an NV4500 Chevy transmission and NP205 Transfer case. I have had to do a lot of contemplating on this one and figure out frame cuts and reinforcements, clutch parts, bell housings, drive shafts, radiator supports, inter cooler, and the hard one for me - wiring that beast. All while keeping the look of 1977.
Older cars fascinate me. I love their body lines, square nose, their tough stance and the smell when you when you crawl in one. My plans for this car, is for people to get in and instantly be blasted to 1967. Of course we will be bringing it to the future in some ways as well.
The interior will have all new floor pans of course along with a rust coat followed by Dynamat and a quality carpet. The original dash cluster will remain with some extra gauges to help out with monitoring the beast under the hood. The classic cougar long console will split the newly leather skinned seats. The under body will be completely under coated as well for years of no worries and for a cool and quite ride. Newer safety items and some other things that go good on hot days but for the most part it will be all original. The body will be a blast from the past as well, with all the trim in all the right places. The color will depend on the original one and if we all like it or not. If not then maybe we will go with a two tone color of maybe a pearl white and the hood having two stain black strips that extend out to the finders with the raised center of the hood being the pearl color. As for the suspension, it will all be replaced to ride and handle like the top cars of today. With the front wheels tucked up just inside the finder wells on an IFS set up and in the rear leafs will be replaced with a torque arm system. Disc brakes will be all round. This car has to handle as good as it looks if my babies are going to riding in it. The engine bay will be as clean as possible so all you see is the 460 big block all dressed up with over 500 horse power. A Magnaflow will lead the exhaust out to the rear but when we are feeling a little wild we will open the cutout valves and make some noise. As for the transmission, it will be a magnum six speed from Tremec. Love shifting those gears. As for the wheels I really like the look of the Schott wheels that were used on gears, the modsport KO, just a nice clean classic look. I truly love classic cars and something about the cougar, maybe the straight square grill or the long nose, but one thing is for sure, Weather we win this one or not we will find ourselves a classic cougar to rebuild.
Winning the 1967 Mercury Cougar would mean the world to me and build memories with my family. I would do anything for one of these cars. And there is no need to worry – this car will stay in my family forever!!!I thank you for opportunity – Matthew Daniel
mattd47@gmail.com
Cutouts!? On a classic like this? Blasphemy
OK, so this car is a GT and we’re closing in on the final 48-hours to convince this cat that’s looking for a home to saunter on over and make its new den here in my garage. This old fighter is a keeper, not too many stray cats of that breed still out there looking for a place to rest so I know a lot of guys want to win this and there are many of them that are deserving. It seems we’re coming into the final stretches of this contest so if there’s something to be said for taking this feline home it’s time to open that can of select cat food and spit it out. There’s a lot of heart coming through in these essays and I believe a man’s heart needs to be in the right place and focused on committing to the concept of taking this feline to the house and cleaning it up and restoring it to its proper feline greatness in order to be the guy that saves it from the crusher. But a lot of heart is not all that it’s going to take. I’m thinking we need to focus our minds on leading this cat home and it may be as simple as communicating the rules of the road to get it prancing off in the right direction. If this cat is going to find its way to the garage then the proper signals need to be indicated to guide it. I’m just saying - it takes more than a heartfelt message to herd cats. In this case you got to lead them correctly or they just won’t follow you.