Mercury Cougar - Why it no longer looked like the Ford Mustang
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2022
- When Ford initially commissioned the inaugural batch of Mercury Cougars in 1966, they instantly became a huge success with the public. The name itself evoked vivid imagery of strength, power, and style. The Cougar went on for a few generations, though the original generation is arguably the most well-known. The Cougar continued for a few more decades, receiving periodic updates to stay current, relevant, practical, and reliable.
Today we take a look at the Mercury cougar 1971-1988
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The second-generation Cougar carried over both the hardtop and convertible body styles from its predecessor. Sharing its roofline with the Mustang hardtop, the Cougar received large "flying buttress" C-pillars, extending into the rear fenders. To distinguish the model line from the Mustang, the Cougar adopted multiple design elements from larger Mercury vehicles.
The 1971 Cougars were enlarged again, now with a 112 inch wheelbase. Although the 429 V8 was still offered, luxury not performance was stressed and previous performance offerings like the Eliminator were eliminated. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
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Back in the 90s an old friend of mine scored a 1979 Cougar with only 13k on it. That thing was AWESOME! It was like driving around in ones own living room couch. Was not slow at all.
The Cougar was at its best when it was an upscale, more European-styled Mustang cousin. I owned a ‘67 XR7 and to this day I still believe it was the most attractive car I ever had… inside and out!
Awesome Primus! Thanks for watching and supporting us!
@@ThisOldCarChannel You bet! Keep uploading and I’ll keep watching!
I bought a '68 Cougar in the later 80s. 302, 4-barrel, and typcial for most pony/muscle cars that were originally sold in California--a Cruise-O-Matic or whatever the slushbox was called. Its transmission was going out, had it fixed, and then I panicked thinking I would have all kinds of problems down the line, and sold it. A couple years later, in 1989, I bought its spiritual successor-a 1986 Mercury Capri GS. The Capri's performance made me forget about the Cougar.
Question why do all of the big 3 cars makers have be compared to the European market & style us auto manufacturers can't build cars without using European styles We Are The USA.We do need to copy & try to compared to European cars of the 70s 80s 90s 2000s.
My first far was a 69 Cougar XR7. Wish I hadn't sold it?
I loved my '78 Bill Blass Edition in the blue and chamois. My friends and I called it my "pim,p" mobile! LOL. It was very unique for it time. Maybe over the top but it was a great car. Moonroof, and every option, for $187.00 a month! Those were the good old days! If I could find one in good shape would buy it.
My Father owned three Cougars, a 67, 69 and a 74... Nice!!!
I drove a 77 cougar xr7, loved it. Miss that car
My buddy in highschool had an 85' XR-7 that was a loaded one previous owner "cream puff" featuring a digital dash , premium audio and more...what a great car.
My first car, a 84 Cougar. I loved it. All engine.
My uncle bought an ‘87 Cougar in the summer of ‘94 with about 76,000 miles on it and sold it six years later with over 600,000 miles on it. He drove it on long distance road trips constantly and it was a great car! He sold it to buy a ‘92 Infiniti G20 that crapped out on him after three years, then bought a Volvo that ended up costing him an arm and a leg every time it broke down on him, which was a lot. That Cougar was the best car he ever owned!
No Cougar EVER went 600k miles...Just sayin
@@bking12762 My uncle’s did. Not asking you to believe me, nor do I care, just telling you it did.
@@justinjoseph6966 you keep believing brother
@@bking12762 I don’t have to believe in things that happened. That’s called a given. Perhaps you should go read a dictionary to learn the meanings of words one of these days in your spare time.
@@justinjoseph6966 and it ran 600k on its original engine and trans, right?
Love this Mercury car ! It looks bigger ! It has new body . Luxury features inside the car .
I've got a 76! 92k miles. Absolutely love it
The 70’s is when Mercury lost its steam.
They just became upgraded Fords.
No individuality.
They started to get it back in the 80’s, but lost it again in the 90’s.
I had a 79 t bird with the 302. Car was indestructible. Thank God because I was a teen.
Great video. I had a 1986 Cougar as my company car. Excellent car, very stylish and comfortable.
That they were Danny!
I was fortunate to own three, 1975, 1977, and 1978. The 1975 was my first car out of high school. The 77 and 78 both had center consoles and moon roof option courtesy of American Sunroof. I just loved those cars and kept my 78 for 7 years until rust began destroying the doors and roof panel.
Great video, my uncle had the '76 Blue XR-7, my dad had the '77 2-door White Cougar LS with the 351 Windsor, I had a 77 White 4-door Cougar Brougham. My ex-girlfriend had a 2001 Silver Cougar
Thank you for the video I was looking forward to this one. I have a 73' 351c 4spd Cougar these cars don't get much appreciation but I love it. Thank you very much.
That they do not Rolando. Sad. Thanks for watching and the comment!
During the late 80’s I had a 79 Cougar XR-7 hand-me-down. I really couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Today I would love to have one.
Crazy how that works. We started this channel for that same reason. To take us and a few of you all back in time. I regret selling many cars that I owned as a teen and in my 20s.
Those cars were so damn heavy, and I always wished my '76 had less room in the engine compartment and more room in the cabin like other coupes I had from that era did. It was fast, but it was slower at getting up to highway or passing speed because of the weight.
It was free, though, as it came with the wife. A few years later, we took it to eastern Europe. The natives really thought we were rich, and I was a lower rank airman not an officer. They got out of the way when they saw all of that front end comin' at 'em, though.
It was fun running with the luxury cars at exoctic sports cars on the German Autobahn.
omg. how could you drive it on those small roads? my buddy had a 78 thunderbird I think its the same car
you would have needed a ford ltd coupe for more room in the cabin, or even a smaller mercury monarch i think.
I agree.
My 1977 was not quick at all but she sure floated down the expressway.
Very very heavy.
IN 72' Ford switched from unibody to full frame for all intermediates. Your 76 can take a hit a lot better than most cars and trucks made today. That large engine bay is why a good mechanic likes working on your Cougar more than many smaller cars .
I had a 1975 Cougar XR7 dark red on dark red.
She was a beauty but such a gas hog getting only 10 miles to the gallon as average with the 351 V8.
Man, I love a Cougar!!! Awesome video!!
The 1986 third brake light was added to millions of all makes of cars from prior years as an after market add on. It was a comical attempt to make your car look newer. The vendors made millions off of those sales. Back then. I don't think even the insurance companies gave that new safety feature an added policy discount. I guess it still saved lives.
Thanks guys, I loved it!
My best friend in elementary school, his mom had an 88 Cougar Special Edition which was black with copper pin stripes. They got that to replace their AMC Eagle wagon.
Good choice. haha!
Lol,
My very 1st car when I turned 16 was a 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 with power moonroof and a 351w and full decor and sports packages. Loved that car!
Bought a 74 used XR-7, cream yellow, matching landau top and black leather interior. Loved the car, especially the factory stereo radio. Bought a new 1979 XR-7, loved that one too. Light blue metallic, dark blue landau top, blue cloth interior, had two tone paint, dark blue on bottom below bodyside belt molding. I added a matching dark blue leather padding to the trunk lid like the Bill blass edition. Was sharp.
Very good. Great job with the video. I hope you will complete the series. Thank you for putting this video together and the footage. I thought the digital gauges were option. I did not know they were standard for a while there. Ford tried to make the Mercury brand more upscale to feed into Lincoln.
Thanks Olds98! We appreciate you watching and input!
Ford, Mercury, Lincoln...JUST "brands"!
Cool Cougars. My parents had a 73 XR7 bought used around 1980, with a 351i believe .It was fun to ride in it with the FM radio white pleather interior and sunroof . They drove it til 83 when it hit 90k miles and started breaking down often . Still kinda cool imo though.
LOL, that's what happened to my 75 XR7. I let her go in 83' and got that new Toyota Supra.
That 1979 car looks good !
My first car was a 1969 Cougar XR7 with a 351 Cleveland engine, leather seats & power windows!!! I miss that car!! The 80 - 82 Cougars, along with the Thunderbirds were just sad!!! Thanks for sharing another fun video!!! 👍👍
Thanks for sharing!
I had a 1969 Cougar with a 351 Cleveland, white leather interior, white vinyl top, and Burnt Orange paint. It was absolutely beautiful in that color combination. It had 67,000 miles on it when I purchased it. I was the 4th owner but it had been meticulously maintained by the other previous owners. It got me through my college years… I am almost 68 years old now and I can still say it was my favorite car……
@@williamfeldner9356 It sounds like your Cougar was a real beauty!!! 🙂
Yeah but the later turbo coupe ,great car.
I had a brand new 1975 XR7 in white color with the open cooling vents in bumper as shown in this video. She was pretty inside and out. Power windows too.
Good video my Dad use to love the Mercury Cougar back in the late 70s when my dad was growing up
Thanks for watching and the comment man! I liked the 60's and the 70s.
74 is when the Cougar became a personal luxury coupe.
Beef up the engine, brakes and suspension, add an Eliminator hood and spoilers, and voila! Btw the 77-79 Ford version was the LTD II, not the Granada. I had a 78 LTD II, AND a 78 Cougar XR7…. Both great cars!
The late 1970's Cougar & Ford T-Bird were beautiful cars for the money. Ford was smart in moving the economy market into a more upscale car.
I owned a mint 1978 Cougar XR7 Rally Sport Edition with the tach and gauge package in 86 & 87. Gorgeous white exterior w/red half vinyl top and w/white & red interior. Threw a rod in the 351 and that was the end of it for me.
I like the 78!
Had a 67, 289-4 spd., first one in town, had to sell it, Viet Nam. After the Air Force, bought a new 73 XR7 loaded, last Cougar I owned was 79 XR7 also loaded also new. I have owned many new cars and many company cars and pickups, but the Cougars were the best!
Made for luxury and sport. A fine car by itself.
Loved that car !
Man my first car was an 82' Cougar in that crazy rust with black vinyl top!!
Never seen an ounce of similarity between the cougar and the mustang
Great video. I've got a 75 xr-7 yellow with brown half roof. I'm the second owner. Bought it as my first car in 97 its probably considered pretty loaded interior for the time. I love that car and will never part with it.
Very cool!
Hey Guys; Great video posting as usual. The '70's were the last of a decent looking cougar after that it went down hill trying to compete with Lincoln n Cadillac luxury wise. I just 💛 the way you through in the dated year commercials too that's 😎.. Keep up the great work 🍻 ✌️👋
Thanks Kyle! Appreciate you watching and all that support you've given us along the way. Yup...The last of the decent looking for sure.
My cousin had a 78 xr7. We used to cruise in that thinkin we were the shit 😂😂 man I miss those day's. I'm 47 I was 13 when he had it. Was a fun car to cruise in. Thanks for the memories 👊👊
I loved ❤️ my 86 courger!!courier!!! Miss her alot
My great aunt had a black 77 xr7 in northern Louisiana when I was 6 or 7 and I thought then it was the coolest thing and still do
Great video - they made a Cougar wagon in 1977 :)
1985, sophomore in high school. Dream car, 78 Trans Am, dad said yes, mom lost her mind. Compromise, their 78 XR7 just like your thumbnail, except the padded trunk lid and color matching rims. I loved that car, would I'd rather have had the TA? No question, but I have great memories of that Cougar
Great video
Thanks Peter!
@@ThisOldCarChannel your welcome you guys and gals LoL unfortunately I'm now 50 years old and disabled a stroke and cardiac arrest and colon cancer survivor and use a electrical wheelchair when I'm outside of my apartment building here in Hamilton Ontario Canada but growing up loved cars especially the oldies, my father Nick used to fix His own car if it need replacing and as I kid according to him I used to say "what are you doing daddy?" He taught me things about the automobile, used to go every year car show
I had a new 84 in two tone gray , it was a great car that I drove for 19 years.
Love your videos... Could you please make one about the Riviera??
Thanks for the suggestion Mark. Let me do some research!
'84 cougar, wonderful car!
I loved my Cougar, the same one on the Thumbnail
In addition to the 68 I had . I also bought a ‘77 cougar wagon.
if they kept it on the mustang platform instead of moving it to the thunderbird platform I think it would've done a lot better. but they were thinking about dollars and forgot about sense. the Mercury Capri would've been a cougar. basically they messed up. they could've had the mustang based cougar and something else on the thunderbird platform and both cars would've sold.
True D.A.L.! Thanks for watching!
The problem was that Mustang moved to the Pinto platform in 1974, and so the Cougar moved to the Thunderbird platform. Moving the Mustang to the Pinto platofrm was a HUGE mistake that they corrected in 1978. Both the Cougar and the Mustang were actually on Fox bodies from 80-82, but had completely different shapes. In 78, they should have moved the Cougar back to the more compact Mustang fox body platform, instead of the fox-body Thunderbird platform
I got an 87 Couger from a resales shop that didn't know what was wrong with it. For $187. Took the distributor out and put in a new shaft to the crank. It started right up and I drove thar car for about 7 yrs without ever have any other real problems. When I drove that car into work the 1st day another guy offered my $1000 for it immediately. The back seat and trunk looked brand new untouched the day I got it. Only had 45000 miles on it. Back when I ran into great deals on vehicles. Another crazy great deal was a Dodge church van for $200. All it needed was tires and a trans filter change. Drove that for 2 yrs before selling it for $900.
My mother always wanted a Cougar. Her sister in law had a 1974 that always impressed her. My dad must not have gotten her hints because in 1975, he came home with a fully loaded Country Squire wagon. It was great for vacations and trips to the market, but not romantic dinners. In December of 1976, my dad took my mom and I to the nearest Mercury dealer. While we were browsing looking around, he said to my mom “alright, let’s get a Cougar”. My folks were interested in the XR7, but a different Cougar caught their eye. The new 4 door Cougar Brougham seemed like a better choice, especially for vacations. They decided on a fully loaded 4 door, but they let me pick the color and wheel covers. I sat with the salesman going over the choices, I decided on dark brown with the same vinyl top. After I picked wire caps, my dad gave his A plan number, and a final price was calculated. We were excited about when the new Cougar would be delivered, but to my parents disappointment, since the car was a success, A plan orders took a back seat. The car wasn’t delivered until early spring. It was worth waiting for. When my dad pulled in the drive way, my mom said it was the most beautiful car they had ever owned. Since I picked the color, I agreed. So did a lot of other people. The car always got compliments. Eventually, I got the car in 1983, and my mom finally got her XR7. I wished I still had that car since it’s considered rare now. The last car my folks drove was a 2009 Ford Fusion. When they were both gone, I inherited it and drove it to its new home in Atlanta. My husband and I kept it almost a year. We then traded it in on a new 2015 Mazda6 Grand Touring. The Mazda is a beautiful car, but that first Cougar was something else.
My alltime favorite car.
A classmate of mine referred to his mother's Cougar (The 1977-79 version) as "The pimpmobile."
One big advantage that came with the 74 models is the switch to body on frame construction.
In line with the 70s trend of spacious well equipped comfortable personal luxury coupes, they made the 2nd generation cougar more into a power cruiser GT, as opposed to the 60s predecessors sportier orientation.
Have a '68 Cougar (commented on your previous video) and this video is great, too. Just bought a 1995. Hope you do a video on that generation!
Coming SOON Jim! Next weekend we do the Granada!
In 1980, I inherited a '77 Cougar XR7. I absolutely loved that car...and the woman that owned it...my future wife to whom I've been married 41 years!
Congratulations Jay! I had a 1996 Cougar, it lasted until 2005 when I was T-boned going through a green light by someone late for a golf game!! Insurance barely paid for a down-payment on a 2 year old Ford Taurus to get me on the road again!! BEST thing is I wasn't hurt at all...
@@TheSpritz0 Thank you! I'm glad you're ok!🙂👍 I also owned a Taurus...an '89 SHO. One of my favorite cars for comfort and performance.
This is a story I’d like to hear.
I had a 74 xr7 351Cleveland 2barrel it was a dog, no pep going up hills with the AC on but I loved it any way!!!
0:47 The Driver, with Ryan O'Neal...great flick.
Man those early to mid 70s cougars were absolute pimpmobiles
I always liked the Cougar
Same here. Each time we post a video, I want to buy that car! Lots of money. lol
Later 1977 Xr7 Cougar, 1979 Cougar and Capri and 1979 Mercury Marquis 2 doors are beautiful examples of american design
The very first Cougars were cool. I would say up to '71 you had a collectible. But after that, could you call any Cougar a collectible? I'm not so sure. Thanks for vid guys 👍
Even Lee Iaccoca admitted the 1971-73 Mustang was a mistake. That's saying something.
I. Love. The. 1988. Cugar
It’s shocking how little horsepower came out of the displacement.
350-375 hp should have been the norm. How little was achieved with the added “smog equipment”.
It destroyed engines, and created more smog in the process.
I remember the commercial, but I would have never remembered Ryan O'Neal in it.
I owned the '78 and an '84 cougar.
Does anyone remember the metric Wheels on the '84? Michelin was the only manufacturer for tires and they were expensive. Also the tail lights were very popular with thieves.
Man, everyone got me on this one… My neighbor back home in Kenner, La went to the Ford dealership and brought 2 of those cars in 77 like those… If I’m not mistaken a pink looking one for his wife like those Mary Kay cars and that two tone one with the mag wheels… The same color and all… One thing is for sure, he did wreck that car completely the first year he got it and never got another one…👍🏾
so dont be angry, Cougars were like luxury sporty comfy muscle cars right , perfection!
They made a four door version in the late 70's, kinda resembled a four door LTD II.
When I was a kid, we had white ‘79 Cougar for our family car. It was a great car, we had it several years until my dad sold it around ‘87.
I do like that style. Thanks for sharing Brian.
they had the best commercials!
I had a 1977 Cougar XR-7.
It wasn't fast but definitely was a cruiser.
But, the wheels that came with it were dang near impossible to get off.
Some kind of rubberized exterior mold they used.
I'm glad I never had a flat but changing wheels was horrible.
I had a 82 Granada and this is the 1st time I had to spell "Granada" but I never knew how much the Cougar and the Granada look so much alike almost the same car well I guess it was the same car with different badging
Had a 78 with the 351 M engine and automatic on the floor. It was quite a car miss it very much.
It must have been a winner.
Great video! Unfortunately past 1st generation Cougars turned me off...
Qhy did they stick an small Austin grill on it?
My first car was a 1987 Murcury Cougar XR7 4.9 EFI Ford V8. Digital dash fully loaded power everything, even power bag lumbar in front seats, and auto dimming head lamps. It had the widest rear mags made steet legal in the 1980's with expensive Tiger Paw tires on it. No Ford key pads on doors or sunroof were only thing missing as option go. It was a very comfotable sports car, much nicer then a Mustang 5.0 with nearly the same power just less responsive drive train to rear wheels for take off and little low top speed as it was heaver. But much more comfortable and practical a ride the a Mustang ever was.
This car may not have looked like the Mustang but this Cougar looks exactly like a Ford Thunderbird of this era. I can’t tell the difference.
This was back when you didn't need a lot of horsepower. It was all about cruising and looking good.
In the 1970's, Cougar also morphed into a Station Wagon
Yes! And 4 door sedans.
That cougar s name was elsa. Owned by Jack Phelps. Head of the Stkickland Lincon Mercury dealership. Indianapolis In. She was just a big kitty )
Yes, the big Cougar was a Montego in disguise.
👌
I have a 1977 Cougar XR7. Love the land yacht. Looks sharp and floats down the road. AC still works too. Lol
I had a 78 mercury cougar I bought it for $1200 in 1986 and drove it about six or seven years it has 96,000 miles on it when I bought it and when I got rid of it I had 247,000 miles on it I’d like to have another one that was a nice car had a big gas tank I think I had a 28 gallon gas tank on that car brio to motor I could go to Hampton Virginia and back five more miles round-trip on about 3/4 of a tank of gas back in those days I would like to get my hands on another one I’m
The last vehicle my grandmother owned until her passing in January 1999 was a '79 Mercury Cougar. She drove it everywhere she had to, and allowed my mom to drive it when her cars were in the shop. God I miss that car.
Well, it was a RIDE!
Sister of the 1979+ ford thunderbird
Because it became the Thunderbird sister car.
I'm not happy with the comments at 4:39-4:54 that the 4th gen ('77-'79) Cougar looked like the T-Bird and Granada. That's inaccurate. Although the Cougar and T-Bird shared that body, it was very distinctive from the 'Bird, particularly in the roof line, front/back end, and sides. I preferred the Cougar of those years that combined the sporty look (of the Cougar) with Lincoln styling features! As for the Granada, not seeing any...
Didn't even cover the last Cougar, the sporty compact from the turn of the century.
🛑🛑 Great Video Guys 😀👍.
Is it possible we could see a video from the Mercury Marauder?
My dad had one. I think it was the Mercury Marauder X100. It was a really cool ride👍💯.
The Cougar was one of those cars that never really found its own identity. I'm not knocking it, I like Cougar. But it started as a sister to Mustang, then it morphed into a Torino lookalike, then a Gran Torino lookalike, then it became a T-Bird lookalike and pretty much stayed that way to the end.
More like a sibling of the Ford Elite in the '74-'76 generation. I know that because I owned a Ford Elite in my late teens.
@@williambrown3458 it looks like the Elite as well from that time period. I used Gran Torino because everyone knows that car from Starsky And Hutch. If you ask most John Q. Citizens about the Ford Elite, they'll look at you like you just farted.
I know more people are more familiar with the iconic by 70s standards the Starsky and Hutch Torino or the "big tomato" as what Paul Michael Glaser has referred to the car. I know the Elite was less popular. Just trying to give the Elite a little love.
@@williambrown3458 You're good, brother. 👍
Thank you Russell C!
I never owned a Mercury, but when I was 22 years old, I had a 35-year-old girlfriend (who was a belly dancer) Does that qualify as "having a cougar"?
Depends on how good she could dance! lol Thanks Mark!
It definitely gives a whole new meaning to being behind an XR-7 that's for sure.
🤣🤣🤣👍