Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks so much for offering that. It reminds me of last time when another member offered up a core 390 engine for Bert, the GT winner. So cool to see the community rally around saving a car.
Judges are still deliberating at this point, but I think they’re getting close!
I just wanted to also say, it’s a treat and honor to be a judge in this contest again. A lot of great stories and entries and passion here. I love that.
Good work by all, this is very tough! Good luck and the winner’s going to be very deserving, yet have quite an adventure ahead of 'em!
B
Before the winner announcement comes, I just wanted to take the chance to actually respond to and comment on more of your entries. Don started this theme, but we let several good entries slip by without comment. We want to recognize the effort and enthusiasm contained in your stories. Also, there were a lot of first-time posters here; I hope all you new members will stick around and keep participating on the forum beyond this contest.
Now, to comment on some of the entries that stood out to me:
Daniel - I was 18 when I started driving my Cougar, so I can relate to how that felt. So cool, in a sea of boring cars in the high school parking lot. I like the determination you have to restore it. I also agree that is becomes a part of you and is so much more than a metal box. Sometimes I feel like cars are something that you wear, that become part of your personal aesthetic. And the experiences you have with them makes them a companion. Anyway, thanks for entering, and we’d love to see pics of your project! Maybe start a thread in the project forum?
Eric & Jenny - I know Don already commented, but I wanted to add that your Eliminator project is one of my favorite projects I’ve seen documented. Partially because you did a great job and the car is beautiful, but it was always fun to see the enthusiasm on both your faces throughout the process. Thanks for throwing your hat in, and I hope that whatever happens, you do get to do another project together.
That was quite a transformation, thanks for sharing! Maybe by hanging around here you’ll turn into a Mercury guy after all…
Cool to hear another father-daughter story, glad she shares your enthusiasm for these cars!
That is really aggravating… If nothing else, I hope this contest helped keep that flame alive. I hope the right car finds you before long. In the meantime, welcome to the forum; there’s lots of inspiration here.
Great story, and your friend John does sound very deserving! We hand’t considered the idea of entering on someone else’s behalf - probably because a project car like this is almost more of a burden than it is a prize, and we want to make sure the winner actually wants it! But John sounds like a great guy and hopefully karma will bring many good things his way. Thanks for taking the time to tell your and his story.
Greg, your story was a great read, it almost felt like a movie. I can tell that car meant a lot to you. and that it came into your life at a pivotal time. Whatever happens, I hope you get to re-live the special feeling you had with that first Cougar. Thanks for joining the forum and telling your story.
Hey Flinns! Glad to hear from some locals. Your post was super long, so I won’t quote the whole thing, but it was really cool to hear your whole story about how Cougars came in to your life from an early age, and to see all the pictures. It’s always fun to see you at the shop, and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished '68 project! It’s been cool to watch you doing all the work yourselves. Thanks for joining the forum and throwing your hat in the ring!
Hi Sean, thanks for joining the forum & entering. It’s super cool that you, your wife, and now your son are all into cars and tinkering. We’d all love to see pictures of the '67 project you mentioned! Also I just realized, you mentioned a video, but there’s no video linked in your post. Oops!
Hi Collinses! Your entry definitely deserves comment, and it was hard to even summarize your essay in a quote. I remember getting your photos in the photo contest last year and being impressed. And I think I remember meeting you at the Open House event too! It’s so cool to hear about how the love of cars (Cougars in particular) spread through your family. The fact that your dad, and now your son, got into it because of you is wonderful, and now your wife is on board with building a shop? Right on! It’s amazing how cars can be a bonding agent for families, friends, and even total strangers. Thanks for telling your story and joining the forum! Whatever happens, I hope you find a suitable car for your son to wrench on and eventually drive. That will be something to be proud of for a long time.
Great to see yet another father-daughter combination. The badges are a fun idea. Funny that your sons are disinterested but she is - sometimes it works out that way! Thanks for joining and throwing your hat in the ring. I hope she does get her own car to take pride in fixing up.
Hi Marlin, thanks for entering (again)! I see you recycled your essay from the previous GT contest, but that’s okay. Welcome to Oregon! Hope you’ll get a chance to stop by the shop sometime. Thanks for sharing your story. The more I read through entries, the more I see a common theme developing about families that bond through cars. That’s a large part of why these cars can mean so much.
Hi Amber, thanks for what is probably the cutest entry in this contest. So sweet of you to be on the hunt for a Cougar to surprise your boyfriend with. Sounds like a lucky dude!
Your 71 turned out great! Those are arguably harder to restore than the earlier cars due to the lack of repro parts. I like your passion! Sounds like you are ready for another project.
Hi Tony, thanks for taking the time to join and write your story. I got a great mental image from that description of the first car you fell for. I wish I could remember the first time a car grabbed my attention like that.
Hi Jaden, thanks for entering! Cool to hear from a young person who’s excited about these cars. Again, it’s clear that you got the bug from your family, and that’s awesome. It’s fun thinking about a family rallying around a car to fix it up together.
Thanks for your entry Kevin! You are way over on the other side of the continent! Glad you got a chance to get your own Cougar after all those years and restore it. Would love to see pics. You make a good point about a project like this giving you a sense of purpose. It can be very cathartic to fix up an old car.
Dan, I was really impressed by your entry, and the before / after pictures of your car. You did an amazing job! It’s also clear from your story that you have the absolute right personality type for something like this. It was great hearing about the variety of other projects you’ve worked on, and I can tell that restoration is your life and passion, not just a hobby. Well done!
Oh and on a side note, can I ask what you did to restore the door panels? I also have a '68 standard and my mylar chrome trim is basically gone. Also, who did your gauge bezels?
Hi Lucas - I know Don already commented, but I’ll echo the sentiment that your video entry was really strong. I hope others will take notes from you the next time we do a contest. You really got across your passion for these cars, G’s in particular, and that you have the skills and resources to tackle a project like this. Very impressed!
Hi Spencer, you’re definitely the youngest to enter the contest! Way cool. Glad you picked up on your dad’s passion for Cougars. I hope you do get your own someday!
Jean-Luc, it was fun reading your story, and I think you have the right attitude - saving a car that means something to you, regardless of the challenges. I can definitely relate to that! It’s also nice hearing that your daughter wants to be involved and have a Cougar of her own.
Scott, it’s clear you’ve had a soft spot for Cougars for a long time! And I like the description of how you fell in love with the XR7-G model in particular, to the point that you’ve been gathering G parts for some time. It shows that you’re very serious about finding one and restoring it. Thanks for the great entry!
Phew! I think that covers all the entries that stood out, that Don didn’t comment on (and even some that he did). Thanks again to all of you, I’m still pretty staggered by the passion that’s out there. Reading through these again I noticed themes of families bonding through multiple generations, skills being cultivated and the pride that follows, and lifelong memories never to be forgotten. To all the new members who joined just for this, I hope you’ll stick around and keep that passion going. Not everyone can win this particular car, but everyone here can find the right car if they keep looking. It’s possible that more than one Cougar will be restored and put back on the road as a result of this simple contest, and if so, what a great side effect.
Winner announcement coming tomorrow 
Andrew, thanks for the comments on all the entries. You guys at WCCC along with the other folks on this forum are such a great asset for those of us working through projects. And I love the videos you produce (could never have tackled a vinyl top as a rookie without that one). Hope to get out to one of your open houses before too long.
On the panels I worked with Darren at Critter Creek Cougar who used a metallic paint. I could never find anyone who could vacuum plate that trim in place. Vacuum Ornametal in Romulus, MI did my dash bezels and I was really happy with their work. Frank Chester is the contact there.
Dan
Thanks for the kind words Dan, as well as the tips!
Alright everyone, the time has come to announce a winner!
The judges all came to their own separate conclusions, and we used a points system to combine totals and see who came out on top. While there were some differences in their picks, for the most part all the same names kept coming up. There were a handful of you who really stood out - but one rose to the top.
Congratulations to the winner: Lucas Stanton (stantonxr7)!
Your video really connected with the judges, and probably everyone else who saw it. Not only was the format of a video a great choice, making it more personable and visually descriptive, you also got across your set of skills and your passion for the XR7-G in particular. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we’re very much looking forward to seeing what you do with the car.
Honorable mentions who also scored highly: 68jcode, scaraj, and 1968XR7G
I’ll let the judges and anyone else chime in and add their thoughts / kudos. Thanks again to everyone for the time and effort you put in to participating!
Congrats looking forward to seeing the end result
Congratulations! This is going to be a big project and we hope you will keep us up to date on your progress.
Yah that reminds me where is my base. I am the one that gave him the dimensions and photo’s for the mirror base. Never recieved a base. I would like to put one on my G.
Wow!!! Okay…so after so much excitement and celebration and messaging friends and family; I think I can finally compose my thoughts enough to try and make a response that isn’t just jargon. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this! I know I can vouch for quite a few people who, like me, were hovering over the refresh button waiting for incoming news on where the judges were and who would win this tremendous giveaway. I know there were many submissions who were great candidates who could undertake such a project similarly to myself. I hope that I can make you all proud of what is yet to come on this project. I know I will be asking for help from many members here as I take on such a project and look forward to all the relationships to be made. I’m honored to be chosen for this and once again…THANK YOU! And a special thank you to Midlife for offering the wiring rebuilds!! I know we will be in touch! Very generous!
Randy!! Thank you for posting. I’d love to thank you for your work on helping me dimension the mirror base by making you a set. I truly hate to make excuses, but I was moving up north during the prototype phase of casting the bases and misplaced your name and address. I truly am thankful for your work on it and will private message you for the rest of your details and hope to meet you in the future to possibly make observances about your car and if needed, take dimensions of parts I may be in need of reproducing if I can’t find originals for this project. I know you’re close if you are still in Minnesota. And I look forward to sending you a set in the near future. Thanks again.
Jenny and I just wanted to chime in and say congratulations!
I think there is a lot of fun to be had in working thru the project and we wish you the very best. I know your journey will be filled with a ton of memories!
Another person who is very happy is my wife! She will be relieved as we don’t have to worry about storing “another old car”. 
Glad to help out on this project. You’ve got quite a bit of work ahead of you!
Lucas congratulations. I know you’re in for a big project. Keep us updated on your progress.
Steven
Congrats Lucas and best of luck on the project!
Congratulations Lucas - and welcome to G ownership!
2018 will be the 50th anniversary of the XR7-G, so hurry and finish 'er up for the celebration
Congratulations Lucas, a great submission and it looks as though the G is going to a great home.
Thank you everyone for your kind words; it’s amazing the support and comradery on this forum. I’ve been reached out to from previously unknown people and also a few people who I’ve either sold parts to or worked with before to congratulate me. It really means a lot!
Congrats Lucas I know this G car is going to
A good home and will be done right. Keep
us updated with the progress on the car.
I’m sure most of us judges for this contest with a G will be happy to answer questions and give advice when you need some, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Some may even have a part they are willing to give up to a good cause, if needed.