COUGAR PARTS
The Mercury Cougar can be
remembered by being made famous by models holding large cats in the
commercials of 1967. Soon America would discover that the Cougar had more
than just a great commercial. In 1967 this car became an American Standard
for power and luxury. Many say it was based off the ford mustang and often
called the “mustang’s twin” or “mustang two” this luxury car really was a
whole different animal. In 1967
the first year the cougar was released it came with tons of new features and
great cougar parts made specifically to make this car one of the most
desirable cars of the late 1960’s.
A large effort was made to give
the car a more "European" style than the typical pony car. With a rounded
more rounded hood, hidden headlights, and a vertically slatted grille the
1967 original cougar was finally were new style met power. The original 1967
cougar had two models the base model and the luxurious XR-7.
Both models had an optional GT package which supplied a 390 cubic inch ford
motor, upgraded suspension to help handle the larger engine, and better
tires and exhaust to encourage the cougar in the race scene. The stock motor
for the base and XR-7 cougar model was a 289 cubic inch V-8 which supplied
200 horsepower. As for the transmission most had a 3-speed manual on the
floor. However, some cougars offered a 4-speed manual on the floor. If you
really wanted luxury in a cougar the XR-7 came with these upgrades and
improved cougar parts. A wood-grained steering wheel, a simulated
wood-grained dashboard with a full set of black-faced competition
instruments and toggle switches, an overhead console, a T-type center
automatic transmission shifter, and leather or vinyl seats. Making it easy
to see why in 1967 the first year cougar was for sale, it won Motor Trends
car of the year.
Very few changes were made in the 1968 version of the cougar. The biggest
changes came under the hood for the XR-7. Three new engine options became
available in 1968. A 230 hp 302 in³, 4-barrel V8; the 335 hp 428 in³,
4-barrel V8; and the 390 hp 427 in³, 4-barrel V8. Making the XR-7 more than
just your average pony car. Also the new XR-7G was released in 1968 with
only 619 produced. This car was named after the Mercury road racer Dan
Guerny, hence the G after the 7. These newly nicknamed, “G’s” had new
features and cougar parts including a hood scoop, Lucas fog lamps, and hood
pins. The engine selections were limited to the 302, 390 and the 428 V8, a
grand total of 619 XR-7G's were produced, and only 14 G's were produced with
the 428 CJ. With many high performance cars coming into the market the
cougar was looking to upgrade power and released the cougar GT-E package
that could come both on the base and the XR-7 models. The GT-E package came
with a 7.0 liter 427 V-8 and a few came with a 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air system.
With all these upgraded options and new cougar parts, it was time for cougar
to become the car that is known for. A luxury car that a race car driver and
a grandma could enjoy.
In 1969 the cougar transformed its look with the
release of the cougar convertible. Other than that as far as the look goes,
one of the most noticeable changes was grille was changed to a horizontal
stripe rather than the classic vertical grille that cougar was famous for.
As far as under the hood most models stayed the same for the 1969 year. As
for model styles the GT-E and the XR-7G faded away and came in the
Eliminator. The eliminator performance package had a standard 351 in
4-barrel V8 under the hood, with the 390 4-barrel V8, the 428CJ and the Boss
302 available as an option. The Eliminator was the new top of the line
performance model of the Cougar lineup. It also featured a blacked-out
grille, special side stripes, front and rear spoilers, optional Ram Air
induction system, and a more performance tuned suspension and handling
package. It also came in a variety of vibrant colors like White, Bright Blue
Metallic, Competition Orange, and Bright Yellow. With the great new upgrades
and cougar parts and a new American standard for luxury and power, the
cougar was now a car that could be bought, produced, and upgraded with the
confidence this car would always be an American legend.