1967 Mercury Cougar

Vehicle Overview

This Cougar has been through a lot since she was sold in 1967, to a schoolteacher in California! She originally came with a 289 2V that succumbed to neglect, after sitting in a garage for 20 years without being driven. I purchased her in 2000, sight unseen, and had her shipped to me in Kansas. The car ran for a short while, but there were problems with overheating despite flushing the block and radiator multiple times, and when the lifters/cam began to fail, I'd had enough. I decided to drop in a 5.0 HO fuel injected engine, out of an '89 Lincoln sport coupe. During the heart transplant, she also got KYB shocks, a stiffer 1" front swaybar, front disc brakes, and the Shelby/Arning drop to help her handle better. Her chalky white paint (a respray done in '78) began to flake off in big chunks, and an engine fire in 2006 made her undriveable. Several moves (Utah and California!) and a divorce later, she's back in Kansas with me, and finally getting the attention she deserves to help her get back on the road.

Vehicle Story

Future Plans

Veronica is getting a 331 stroker with AFR heads, mild cam, Tri-Y headers exiting through dual 2.5" exhaust with an X-pipe, - and an 8-stack IR injection system. Fuel will be handled with one of Holley's new in-tank HydraMat systems. Power is expected to be a very broad-shouldered 350 RWHP with around 375 lb-ft of torque being delivered to the tires through the original C4 automatic, running to an 8" Ford rear end with 2.79 gears for highway use. Her audio system is a stock 1967 AM radio, upgraded with Aurora internals to add FM, Bluetooth, and MP3 features (while still looking 100% stock), hooked up to a nice set of Pioneer speakers behind factory grilles. Interior is being redone with a set of '70 high-back Cougar XR7 leather seats. She will also get a new set of Legendary Wheel LW67 "Flat 5" aluminum mags, and 225/60R15 "Tiger Paw" tires. Last but not least, I've got to pick out some better paint! She'll either go back to Glacier Blue, or perhaps Gunmetal Blue - a very old Ford color. It's my hope that I get this car done in time to take some road trips with my dad, and really enjoy her before his Parkinson's gets too bad to enjoy it. While she has many improvements over stock, I intend to keep this car looking mostly vintage, and enjoy her forever.