Personally I disagree. Unless you also dislike late 60s Mustangs as well. My parents had a brand new 302 and I drive it once in a while to high school. Parked it with the Mustangs.
Here's what I liked:
Good power even with the 302.
The hideaway lights gave a very clean appearance.
The sequential rear turn signals.
The luxury and options far exceeded most Mustangs.
Very nice power to weight ratio, especially with the lighter 302. The big blocks were faster but cornering was not as well. Yes you could check off more options including the mean Eliminator edition.
It was garage kept and driven through the full service car wash. I always enjoyed that experience even years before with my parents. The car was pampered and very well maintained. Whoever bought that car later got a really nice one.
I do not think you can lump the early Cougars in with the ones you grew up on. And yes it was a Ford. But most Mercury models then were more compared to Lincoln models. As far as upgrades, before someone says they are not in the same category, I will say there were pretty ugly other Mercury models during the same years. But the Cougar in my opinion was a nice looking car for the times then, not later. It got many compliments including the nicely done side pinstripes. Painted as I recall, not decals.
Anyway, you like what you like. I was driving in this era and have great memories. Every domestic automaker had at least one great car during the late 60s. Ford was very heavily into racing and it helped the street driven segment immensely. The Cougar was a combination of luxury and performance. Buick and Olds also had their versions. You sacrificed heavier weight which affected speed. A negative. Lot of us older guys like having air and power options today. On hot summers it's great.
17th Mar 2017, 11:30
Personally I disagree. Unless you also dislike late 60s Mustangs as well. My parents had a brand new 302 and I drive it once in a while to high school. Parked it with the Mustangs.
Here's what I liked:
Good power even with the 302.
The hideaway lights gave a very clean appearance.
The sequential rear turn signals.
The luxury and options far exceeded most Mustangs.
Very nice power to weight ratio, especially with the lighter 302. The big blocks were faster but cornering was not as well. Yes you could check off more options including the mean Eliminator edition.
It was garage kept and driven through the full service car wash. I always enjoyed that experience even years before with my parents. The car was pampered and very well maintained. Whoever bought that car later got a really nice one.
I do not think you can lump the early Cougars in with the ones you grew up on. And yes it was a Ford. But most Mercury models then were more compared to Lincoln models. As far as upgrades, before someone says they are not in the same category, I will say there were pretty ugly other Mercury models during the same years. But the Cougar in my opinion was a nice looking car for the times then, not later. It got many compliments including the nicely done side pinstripes. Painted as I recall, not decals.
Anyway, you like what you like. I was driving in this era and have great memories. Every domestic automaker had at least one great car during the late 60s. Ford was very heavily into racing and it helped the street driven segment immensely. The Cougar was a combination of luxury and performance. Buick and Olds also had their versions. You sacrificed heavier weight which affected speed. A negative. Lot of us older guys like having air and power options today. On hot summers it's great.