I haven’t done a “Wrecked” piece in a while. These are fun articles to do. They include some history and specs for the highlighted car and a look at one that has quality parts still available.
You can find this featured car over on www.Parting Out.com. They have a unique system that pulls together quality used parts from all over Texas and U.S.
In 1972 the Mercury Cougar (rich cousin to the Mustang) took a different path from is roots as a classy coupe and began the move to the luxury side of the auto market.
By 1972 the Cougar series to flavors the Cougar and the Cougar XR-7. Body styles were 2 door hard top Coupe and 2 door convertible for both the versions. If you say “…hmmm I don’t recall seeing a convertible!” There’s a good reason for that. In 1972 only 1,240 Cougar verts were produced and only 1,929 for the XR-7.
Engine for the 1972 was the Ford work-horse power plant, the 351. It had a cast iron block, overhead valves, bore and stroke 4.00″X3.50″. Compression ratio was a low-ish 8.5:1 and topped with a two barrel carb it was able to knock out 163HP.
There isn’t anything that great to see is a donor car like this one:
Lot of parts on this car. Hard to find glass and any of the light lenses.
Good fenders and doors and intact rocker molding – a huge plus
Here is the best part. Rear bumper..will need re-chroming but the taillight lenses took to be in good shape!!
Restoring a Cougar? Give me a shout!!!!
Thanks for reading
Tim
My best friend growing up had a older brother that loved Cougars. He had a 1967 and a 1972 similar to the one pictured here.
One day he drove the 72 Cougar to my house to get my dad’s advice on a steering issue (My dad was the neighboorhood shade tree mechanic). Dad drove the car around the block and came back and said ‘the steering feels like nothing is mounted to the frame’. Dad looked underneath the car and said that the frame rails were so rusted the car should not be driven (we lived in the salt belt Louisville, KY).
So, wanting a professional opinion, he takes the car to the local tire shop. As they raise the rack, the entire K member falls apart and the engine and entire front end sagged!
That car was towed to the crusher later that day.
If only rust had spared the lifes of so many great cars…….