[timmm55]

There was a similar wheel on 68 XR7Gs:
http://www.myteesamo...adarwheels.html

They were nearly all recalled for production problems however.

[ebritt]

timmm55, on Feb 13 2006, 01:46 PM, said:

I did a bunch of new Cougars based off the Mustang platform at Mercurycougar.net and The Mustang Source.

The red one with the silver one's tail section would be awesome. Can you do the red one giving the grille sections a foward rake?

timmm55, on Feb 25 2006, 10:16 AM, said:

do you like it better too, timmm?


It's the one I prefer.......(still working on it though) because I like the 89/70 a bit better. The 67/68 is considered the more "pure" classic Cougar, but the "sweep" has such a strong character line it looks bland without it.

A lot of the classic Cougar folk really REALLY want hidden headlights and sequential tail lights on a new Cougar. But I think "hiding in plain sight" headlights wold be fine too. Plus there would be a connection to the "light bar" of past Merc's like the Sable, not a classic, but when it came out in 86 I thought it was pretty cool.

Here's my interior ideas: wood, leather, NAV, pull straps, full gauges.......a comfy place to be in. I had a Mark VIII before my 05 Mustang GT and included a bit of a swept away dash too.....goes well with the exterior.

That is a nice interior...Ford should be paying attention here....

[Loyalbutconcerned]

Great discussion! I still like the idea of the Meesenger as a "top hat" over the Mustang underpinnings with a few upgrades such as IRS and the likes. It should be strictly a v-8 though ... keep it from cannibalising too many Mustang sales.

[timmm55]

Since the idea of a new Cougar came up....bump!

[Watchdevil]

timmm55, on Aug 19 2007, 06:29 PM, said:

Since the idea of a new Cougar came up....bump!

We will just have to be persistant and keep bugging Ford until they come to their senses and bring great marques back like the Thunderbird and Cougar.

As it is now... The only Ford of interest to me is the Mustang... The rest of them I don't give a shit about... Ten years ago I could find a number of Ford vehicles that captured my interest. Shortly after that everything went staight to hell...

This post has been edited by Watchdevil: 20 August 2007 - 12:27 AM

[twintornados]

The Mercury Cougar should be built on Volvo C70 underpinnings with the hardtop convertible included in the mix. It would be a big hit and not cut into Mustang sales....rather it would enhance it.

[Meelaan]

Watchdevil, on Aug 20 2007, 12:26 AM, said:

Ten years ago I could find a number of Ford vehicles that captured my interest. Shortly after that everything went staight to hell...

1997 Ford Lineup:
Aspire
Contour
Crown Victoria
Escort
Mustang
Probe
Taurus
Thunderbird

2007 Ford Lineup:
Crown Victoria
Five Hundred/Taurus
Focus
Fusion
Mustang

I don't see anything from 10 years ago to get excited about compared to what's available right now. Major differences are the Probe (which was on its way out after attempting to replace the Mustang), the Thunderbird (on its last breath), the Contour (in decline), the Aspire (import from Kia on its last leg), and the Escort (would be replaced by the Focus three years later).

...But, to each his own.

[Mark B. Morrow]

twintornados, on Aug 20 2007, 05:32 PM, said:

The Mercury Cougar should be built on Volvo C70 underpinnings with the hardtop convertible included in the mix. It would be a big hit and not cut into Mustang sales....rather it would enhance it.

Although I think a Mustang based Cougar would be easier to do, the C 70 idea has merit since it would be more upscale. The down side would be importing the car since the C 70 isn't made here. I have seen rumours of a retractable hardtop for the Mustang which would be at home on a Cougar. Timmm did a great job on the designs preserving all of the best of the original Cougars with a modern look.

[jonas1022]

DSenstad, on May 29 2006, 07:49 PM, said:

I think the design in post #24 on the right is great for a capri where the messenger in a two seater built on the same platform for cost would be great as a Cougar.

Flying Buttress Cougars were manufactured from 1971 throught 1973. Check out ebay, lots of photos. They were a little too heavy in the day, but then so was the Mustang. :reading:

[timmm55]

jonas1022, on Aug 24 2007, 11:46 AM, said:

Flying Buttress Cougars were manufactured from 1971 throught 1973. Check out ebay, lots of photos. They were a little too heavy in the day, but then so was the Mustang. :reading:

Yep, I was trying to use some of 71-73 cues too, mostly just the roof though.

[twintornados]

Re-reading the thread...I agree as well that any new Cougar should NOT be retro-styled....Mercury could and should evoke Fords finest efforts globally and bring them to NA in a reliable and affordable manner. Volvo C70 with current Mercury styling cues (to fit within the lineup), steel folding drop top, twinforce 3.2L inline six from Dagenham, 6 speed with Haldex AWD optional. Upscale interior appointments, standard SYNC, THX sound.....this would set all comers from European and Asian marquees on point that the "Sign of the Cat" is alive and well at your Lincoln / Mercury dealer.

[twintornados]

Additionally, Mercury could showcase Ford of Europes' "Kinetic Design" for those in the NA market that clamor for it.

in North America, the following styles should be used:

Ford .......... "Bold Moves" equals bold "American" designs...i.e: 2 and 3 bar grille, clean chiseled styles etc

Mercury ..... Ford of Europe's "Kinetic Design" with a Mercury themed grille treatment

Lincoln....... "Classic style" , suicide doors, four door convertible, performance with style

Seems simple enough to implement, seeing as Ford's Global Operations already have all these elements, they just need to bring them together in a way the differentiates the marquees while tying in the Ford name so that no one forgets that they are driving some of the best vehicles in the world.

[timmm55]

Does anybody remember the last Cougar from the FWD Mondeo/Contour/Mystique chassis? They sold a handful in Europe as the Ford Cougar. The Cougar faithful hated it. I think it was OK. But Cougar has to go to it's roots and be Mustang derived. It could be based off the Messenger (shortened Mustang). If you've seen the side profile of the 63 Cougar prototype it's apparent the Messenger was inspired by it. Or as I prefer the personal lux/sport Mustang sister.

I wouldn't just rebadge Euro Fords as Mercurys....think "orphan" as in Merkur. Better to think global platform.

[timmm55]

twintornados, on Aug 20 2007, 12:32 PM, said:

The Mercury Cougar should be built on Volvo C70 underpinnings with the hardtop convertible included in the mix. It would be a big hit and not cut into Mustang sales....rather it would enhance it.

While the C70 hardtop/convertible is interesting in it's own right, it's hardly a "hit". And a rebadged or based Cougar version wouldn't do any better unless it was a totally original revamp.

[rmc523]

timmm55, on Feb 25 2006, 11:16 AM, said:

do you like it better too, timmm?
It's the one I prefer.......(still working on it though) because I like the 89/70 a bit better. The 67/68 is considered the more "pure" classic Cougar, but the "sweep" has such a strong character line it looks bland without it.

A lot of the classic Cougar folk really REALLY want hidden headlights and sequential tail lights on a new Cougar. But I think "hiding in plain sight" headlights wold be fine too. Plus there would be a connection to the "light bar" of past Merc's like the Sable, not a classic, but when it came out in 86 I thought it was pretty cool.

Here's my interior ideas: wood, leather, NAV, pull straps, full gauges.......a comfy place to be in. I had a Mark VIII before my 05 Mustang GT and included a bit of a swept away dash too.....goes well with the exterior.

that interior looks great! I'd take that over a Mustang anyday (I prefer the more upscale, luxurious look)

[Meelaan]

Great work here, Timmm. I really like your execution. :beerchug:

[timmm55]

This started out as my Mustang GT........ :stirpot:

[T'Cal]

Lots of great ideas here, not to mention renderings of concepts. Like many, I like the idea of a retro-inspired design on a modern platform. My first instinct is to start with the Mustang, stretch/widen it enough to hold five passengers, move it up market from its Ford sibling, offer a V6 (LS) and a V8 (XR-7), and give it styling reminiscent of the late 60's model. Then I think, maybe Mercury should look at another platform. Perhaps a Cougar coupe could start life as a Fusion/Milan. While it would have its own distinctive coupe sheet metal and interior, it would share drive trains and underpinnings with its sedan stablemates. Then I think, maybe it should go even bigger and be based on the 2010 Taurus/SHO. Regardless, all of these platforms are modern and competitive and I would strongly consider each seriously.

The only midsized coupe available from a domestic automaker is the Challenger, a very cool car. Gone are the Monte Carlo/Malibu, Cutlass, Regal, Grand Prix, T-Bird, Cougar, etc. I've always loved big coupes, a type of vehicle that is truly an American concept. Yet, Honda has the Accord, Nissan the Altima, and until recently, Toyota had the Camry Solara. The reason IMHO that there are so few domestic midsized coupes is that Ford and GM have given up on them, as they did with minivans. They decided not to be competitive and simply surrendered. How weak of them.