1967 Mercury Cougar Resto-Mod TOP FLIGHT BUILD CHECKS ALL THE BOXES 500 MILES

1967 Mercury Cougar

This is a fresh build with fewer than 500 miles on it, just enough to sort out the hardware and make sure it runs right.

We’ve been seeing a lot of action in the “not a Mustang” category. You know, Falcons, Comets, and Cougars like this killer 1967 Mercury Cougar hardtop. The desire to stand out without giving up the essential goodness and performance of the Mustang makes these cars appealing hobby vehicles and if you are a grown-up who likes a little luxury with his muscle, then the Cougar is an excellent choice. Restored with an obvious pro-touring bent, it packs a stout Ford Motorsports Boss 302 V8, upgraded suspension and brakes, fantastic paint, and a few custom touches that really make it stand out. It’s an attention-getter, no question about that, but it’s also a polished cruiser with the horsepower to hammer some pretty impressive machinery on the street. If you want one car that does it all and does it well, this might be it.
This is a fresh build with fewer than 500 miles on it, just enough to sort out the hardware and make sure it runs right. The original Cougar shape has enough familiarity in it to look appealing, but it’s definitely not a Mustang. The hood is longer, there’s that wonderful peak that runs from nose to tail, accentuating the kick-up behind the doors, and, of course, the hidden headlights to make it look totally distinct. Of course, painting it high-visibility Sublime Green and high-gloss black certainly helps garner attention, and the paint job is extremely well done. You can easily see in the photos that the flanks are smooth and ripple-free and panel fit is quite good, making for a car that feels more expensive than it should. There’s no sign of botched bodywork or amateur finishing, because the doors close with precision and the hood swings effortlessly and snugs down with a pair of sporty hood pins up top. You’ll also note that the door handles were shaved and replaced with a set of Dave Kindig special flush-mount handles that pop out with a touch of your finger, a very trick addition that makes getting into the car feel special every time. The chrome bumpers and stainless trim was all restored at the same time, so the brightwork glitters against the fresh paint and yes, the sequential taillights work as they should. Just watch the folks behind you at a traffic light when they see them!
The interior has been slightly but not significantly upgraded beyond a set of body-hugging cloth bucket seats that are far more comfortable and adjustable than the original chairs. They look right in the vintage Cat and work well with the factory center console. A fat wood-rimmed wheel warms up the otherwise monochromatic interior, which features reproduction door panels and a standard back seat so it’s still a functional 4-seater. Original gauges monitor the car’s vitals, although there’s a white-faced tach on the steering column and a set of auxiliary gauges neatly installed on the A-pillar to monitor temperature and oil pressure. Heater controls are on your left, while the T-handle shifter with the cool light-up shift indicator on the console falls easily to hand on the right. There is no stereo, but it’s pre-wired so you can add the system of your choice, although I’ll admit that when I drove the car, listening to the radio was the farthest thing from my mind. It’s also got a tidy trunk with no signs of previous rust issues and a set of pneumatic struts to hold the lid up, which really frees up cargo room. Add a reproduction mat and it’s ready to go!
The engine is a snarling Ford Motorsports 347 cubic inch stroker motor that’s based on the all-new Boss 302 4-bolt main block. With a Scat forged crank, forged I-beam rods, forged Mahle pistons and a roller valvetrain, it has the hardware to take a beating. Up top there are a set of Ford Motosports GT40 aluminum heads along with an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and a Holley double-pumper 4-barrel carburetor. A full MSD ignition system lights it up with ease, and even when it’s cold, it fires easily and runs extremely well. An open-element air cleaner looks great up top, joined by a set of finned Ford Motorsport Boss valve covers with an old-school vibe. A billet accessory drive with custom pulleys adds a little sparkle up front, along with a chrome master cylinder and power brake booster. A giant aluminum radiator and electric fan keeps it cool without much effort and a fresh alternator and Optima red-top battery anchor the all-new electrical system.
Underneath, you’ll find additional upgrades, including an industrial-strength C6 3-speed automatic transmission with a high-stall torque converter, so this sucker just leaps off the line and always feels like it’s on its toes. There’s power steering and a giant sway bar up front, along with subframe connectors to reinforce the chassis in a way you can actually feel. Out back, a beefy 9-inch Ford rear end hangs on leaf springs, and there are easy-cruising 3.00 gears inside, so this car works rather well on the highway. Wilwood vented and cross-drilled disc brakes with multi-piston calipers have been fitted all around and the custom exhaust system sounds fantastic both at idle and full boot. Spotless floors, rebuilt suspension pieces, and all-new plumbing throughout make this a turn-key car that’s ready to rumble. It’s also seriously fast, with enough power to make the rear wheels spin at 50 MPH and there aren’t many cars on the road that can keep pace with this over-developed Cat. Add in a set of 17-inch Torque Thrust wheels and staggered 225/50/17 front and 245/45/17 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials, and you have a car that sits right and handles extremely well.
Extras include an original owner’s manual, a ton of restoration and built receipts, and most of the original interior, including original bucket seats and a rare center console. It also comes with a hood scoop and rear wing that are ready to be installed for an even more aggressive look
Very nicely built and very fast, this Cougar is an out-of-the-ordinary entry that definitely commands respect on the street. Full of high-quality hardware and an eye-grabbing look, it’s the kind of car that will make you happy for many years to come.