1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Project Green Kitty

[SeanP]

Definitely worth the hard work, especially if you can afford it - helps you both are doing all the labor! They go for a decent amount of money, when fixed, so you have a valuable asset.

100% agree! Just thinking of all the time spent so far just on welding and grinding... have saved $100s if not $1000s already!

Here's some pics:

[friskyfrankie]

Definitely worth the hard work, especially if you can afford it - helps you both are doing all the labor! They go for a decent amount of money, when fixed, so you have a valuable asset.

[SeanP]

Sorry for lack of posts. I have been working on things. Mostly continuing to strip down the car and fix any uncovered rust issues.

So far most of the work has been focused on repairing the front fenders... lots of welding and grinding! The rest of my time has been on disassembly. So far the front and rear body panels and trim (basically anything that bolts on) is off the car except the tail lights and front grille / headlights... bumpers, corners, fenders and fascia are all off. Hopefully this makes prep and paint a bit easier.

Also, have made the decision to do a vinyl roof delete. It's just a matter of welding up a few trim holes. I know, I also enjoy the look of the vinyl roof, but ultimately prefer the look of the slick top. And since the old one had to come off to facilitate some repair around the rear window, I've decided to commit to the slick top conversion.

I took a few more pics, but will post those later (soon!).

[87gtVIC]

Cool. Looking forward to the progress. Good looking car.

[jaywish]

One of my all time favorites

[SeanP]

Thanks for all the kind words, folks!

Those 67-68 Cougars are hard to find. Especially the XR7. I had a 68 Cougar in the 70s. Cool cars.

I was lucky enough to find this one only about 1.5 hrs from me. It's not the best condition (it's been an Ontario car its whole life), but a real honest car for the price I got it for.

I'm also lucky enough that my father-in-law restores cars and has done a Cougar before. So he knows all the trouble spots!

It's a lot of work, but it will be an awesome ride when she's done-ish (nothing is ever fully finished!).

[Mainemantom]

Those 67-68 Cougars are hard to find. Especially the XR7. I had a 68 Cougar in the 70s. Cool cars.

[Tiggie]

I like the 67-69 Cougars. The XR7 is especially nice upgrade over the Mustang. Looks like a great project!

[massacre]

Nice Cougar

[packman]

Beautiful!!! Wish I had the patience for body work; even if I had the facilities for doing such work.

[SeanP]

Hi folks!

Been a while since I've had anything worthwhile to share on the Forum in terms of cars owned (unless anyone is interested in me posting my 2019 Mustang?).

I picked up this 1967 Cougar back in September:



She's an XR7, Inverness Green exterior, Black Vinyl roof and saddle leather interior. She's suffering from a brutal repaint that took place sometime in the late 1980s, early 1990s.

Powered by a 289 2bbl running through a C4 tranny. Aftermarket headers and dual exhaust added later. Engine bay is detailed.

No AC.

Clock works!

Runs a bit hot (will be addressing this in the spring).

My father-in-law and I started digging into the body last month. Found a few rust spots that we're addressing with some patches cut and shaped from a leftover aftermarket fender for a 2nd generation Trans Am (use what you got, right?).

Cut off pounds of mud from the driver's side trouble spots with a grinder. Also had to straighten out about 2 feet of pinch welds. The passenger side had been patched with actual metal, but they had been braised instead of welded. Cut the braising out and put in welds to ensure future reliabiltiy of the repairs. Pictures below tell some of the story:

















She's taking a break for now in storage alongside an Austin Healey (not bad company).



Will be finishing the bodywork as time allows over the winter, including peeling back some of the vinyl roof to inspect a few suspect issues. Debating whether or not to keep the top. Really like that slick top look but the vinyl top is class... decisions are hard sometimes!

Will also be scraping off the ancient undercoating and painting on some rust paint for extra protection and to make the bottom look all pretty.

Hope to have everything ready for the paint booth by late spring early summer.

Thank you for indulging me on this dive into the money pit.