The Now Forgotten 1979 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Was Peak Malaise And A Short Lived Sales Success For Ford
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 мар 2021
- Mercury has always been considered the Jan Brady of the car world - the dreaded middle child. Created by Edsel Ford in 1938 to bridge the sizable gap between Ford's top model and Lincoln's cheapest, Mercury's mission never really changed until its eventual demise in 2011. Ford still retains the rights to bring the company back someday, but nothing of the sort is in sight. For now, Mercury is no more.
And that's a shame, because some of Ford's coolest products came from this division, most notably the Cougar. Marketed as an upmarket pony car built on the Mustang platform, the Cougar had its own shape, its own equipment, and a loyal fan base. It was a good looking car, somewhat limited by its modest underpinnings, but still an attractive face in the crowd, and it sold well.
But good times were not to last - the gas crunch of the 70s, rising emissions and bumper laws, and other such turns of the car world caused the Mustang to be downsized in a way that made no sense for the Cougar - so it moved to the larger Torino platform, becoming one of the very few cars to be upsized in the 70s, and finally met its new stablemate, the downsized for 1977 Thunderbird. This fourth generation Cougar was technically a midsized car, but it was still pretty damn big - with a wheelbase of 114 inches. It would remain a sister car to the Thunderbird for many years to come, and its influence caused a series of cat names to come out of Mercury, along with giant fake cats sitting atop Lincoln/Mercury dealerships.
The car sold well in the personal luxury coupe heyday of the 1970s, but it was a short term success, all but gone and forgotten in 1980 when the smaller, Fox-based Cougar and T-Bird emerged. Despite selling a large number of them, few have survived, and only recently have they become noticed by collectors.
Full review and test drive of a 1979 Mercury Cougar XR-7 with 14K miles. Vehicle is for sale at Autohaus of Naples. Review by Bill of Curious Cars.
www.AutohausNaples.com 
Авто/Мото
Bill, I can not stress enough how important these videos have become to me, and many others I’m sure. Earlier videos were a little more of a sales pitch, but in these last few months they have become so heartfelt. I feel like I’m talking to a funny uncle I see around the holidays, but now I get to see him every week. Please continue to do these videos! Ramble! Swear! Get angry at animals! Be you, because we love watch YOU! Take care, Bill, and go easy on the whisky. 😉
I'm honored, E.F. Thanks for that.
Bill FRIGGIN ROCKS
He’s right, Bill!
I'm always impressed with how Dalton can bring that old paint back to a shine. Sure would like to know his secret sauce. Is it a specific chemical or the entire process that gives those beautiful results. Thank you so much for these beautiful cars and the priceless commentary.
Yeah!!! Eff them dangone goats!!!
I like seeing these older cars, reminds me when I was a kid watching the old US TV shows like Taxi, Hill Street Blues, Different Strokes, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Rockford Files, ChiPs and Welcome back Kotter :) Happy days.
Same here - I really love the trips down memory lane.
Dallas also had so many beautiful cars
@@sneakerfreak2002 JR'S 77 Mark V can be seen at the South Fork Ranch in Texas, it no longer serves it's purpose as a car. Just on static display sealed in plexiglass. It's just a plain vanilla Lincoln, stripped of options, plain vinyl seat, akin to a Grand Marquis, or stripped down Thunderbird. But there she sits...JRs Lincoln. It's sad to see it actually.
@@sneakerfreak2002 added to say, it's a dead silver with plain light blue vinyl seats
The only reason I watch Adam 12 is for the cars
That old Cougar reminds me of watching a Barnaby Jones episode.
Holy crap am I old!
Barnaby always drove a Ford LTD. Betty drove a Pinto. J.R. drove a classic Mustang (but it wasn't classic at the time). I'm old, too. LOL.
@@paulk9985 Hell yes triple brown ford lol Barnaby one cool cat you don't have to be old to enjoy good show.
Cannon ( the fattest gun in the West) drove a lincoln
@@weirdshibainu Yes he had Mark III and Mark IV seems alot of shows were sponsored by Ford back then.
@@paulk9985 You're exactly right, Paul. I'm a HUGE Barnaby Jones fan too. I was 15/16 in '73 when it began, and watched every episode up to its end in 1980. Love it for all the reasons I did originally, but today there's this major '70s time warp aspect. At the time it just 'normal' and didn't think anything (then) of all the things I notice now. The show IS online here on RUclips, but unfortunately the great openings aren't included. Write me back and I'll give you my favorite episode--for now. I love so many, that keeps changing!
This guy is becoming a legend. He needs a tv show. My first car was a 1979 2 door Ford LTD, kind of a copy of the Cougar and Thunderbird. It had a 351 Windsor... this Cougar is amazing.
Diff car. Tbird was
Those were great looking cars and ford sold a ton of them. It’s amazing that they are so rare now. The late 1970s to early 1980s was an odd time for ford, with so many badge engineered cars they actually gave GM a run for their money just for the Lincoln Mark/Cougar/Thunderbird sharing that begat the first Town Car as an official model.
29:53 Old man driving with his left turn signal on. Classic!
THAT'S exactly why they eventually they installed a chime warning for turning signals left on too long on Cadillacs!! I had one on my 2009 Cadillac CTS...
I like how the Climate Controls are all the way over on the left side of the dashboard, thus preventing an annoying passenger from touching the controls.
They were like that from the early 70s till about 80 on most cars ( a/c controls) of that era , this cougar was the last big cougar . 1980 Ford had almost a whole new line up for 1980. This cougar for 79 had the grill with paint accents and the horizontal ribbed tail lights . very stunning for the time . My favorite was the 76 with the padded dash and deep dish rims . The grill was also a waterfall design with opera window . These Fords were almost proto types from 1973 till 1979 , Elite , cougar, montego , torino, and probably a few others were the same body with cosmetic changes that captured buyers , and did it well.
I like that, too. The driver should be in charge of everything.
I hate it when someone gets in my car and starts readjusting the a/c and stereo system. How Rude!
I don't do that when I get in their car.
@@agoraphobicadam1171 Girl in high school used to get in my car and do exactly that. Car wasn't even warmed up yet and sche's screwing with the AC.
@@leespeyrer8424 The 400 was no longer available in '79.
Love the way you hop in the 1979 car, turn on the radio and 1979 AC/DC comes blasting out.
Never apologize for a 52 minute video with that kind of commentary! I loved ever minute
I look forward to, and watch every post. You need a TV show Bill!
I’m pretty sure the murder goats and Bill’s hilarious humor would be a problem for tv 😆
Thanks, James - I appreciate your watching.
Yes he does....he also needs a brand new truck and ditch that old one
I couldn’t agree more!
They'd "cancel" him lol
Once again, thank you Bill, your wit & humor reviewing a beautiful piece of american craftsmanship always brightens my day.
My uncle had one. He came by our house the day he purchased it brand spanking new and gave me a ride. So cool.
I see the video post on you tube and I say in my Bill voice "Good Morning". 👍
Ha, ha... Bill needs to get a personalized license plate.. "GOOD AM"
i especially like the mercury cougar villager wagon. someday I'm moving down there to enjoy that great weather. that green mercedes was awesome. Cougars went from muscle car to luxury car.
There can't be many of those wagons left.
@@curiouscars9282 I have that wagon in a Matchbox. Green with a yellow interior and the tailgate flips down. Very cool stuff.
Love his no nonsense honesty and humor
Best car review channel on RUclips, hands down. Thank you for the effort you put into these Bill. I can see in the future your videos will be the go-to reference source for accurate automotive history. Kudos sir.
One of the most underrated mid-size cars ever had the misfortune of being compared to the new totally redesigned Ford Thunderbird, for my money the Cougar XR-7 was bad-ass and smooth on the highway. Mercury had a winner.
"Mid-size"? A fat Ametican barge!
The 77 - 79 Cougars, Thunderbirds , LTD II's and Ranchero's were all basically the same vehicle. Only minor sheetmetal changes between these models. Engines, drivetrains, steering components, suspension, and many interior components were interchangeable. The Birds were more prone to rusting around the rear window areas. Even though the T bird front fenders have some different creases on the top side, you can bolt a set of Cougar fenders on a T-bird or vise versa. Cougars were available with either a 302, 351 Modified, 351 Windsor, or 400 C.I. engine. The Cougar wagons and LTD II wagons were available only with either a 351 M or a 400, no Windsors for the wagons. I don't know if there were any T-birds with Windsors, but would be interesting to know if they were an option. None of these cars ever got good mileage, with the possible exception of the 302 engines. I have the 351 M and a 400 in each of my 77 Cougar wagons, and everyone I know who has one agrees that there's almost nothing that you can do to improve the MPG's.
I've tried aluminum intake, edelbrock carbs, busted out the catalytic converters, put on dual exhausts, put on aluminum wheels, aluminum water pump and radiator, etc.
@@owenshebbeare2999 mid-size for the late 70s. It sat on the LTD II chassis, which was mid-sized at Ford. At Mercury the next larger platform was the Grand Marquis, and below it was the Monarch. And yes, it is large, but it has such a great ride, so smooth.
@@tompastian3447 I can get about 20mpg out of my two door xr7, however it isn't stock
@@jamescampbell1276 For whatever reason, this video on the 79 Cougar does not focus on the two previous model years which were basically identical to the 79 Cougar. Ford had several cars that used the Cougar platform... the Ranchero, the T Bird, the LTD II, and the Cougar. I have two 77 Cougar wagons and still drive them, one five days a week. Never got good mileage, despite switching to duel exhaust, knocking out the catalytic converters and removing the smog stuff, switching to Edelbrok aluminum manifolds and carbs, and switching to aluminum water pumps and radiators, and switching to aluminum wheels. I never even got close to 20 MPG with either the 400 C.I.D. wagon, or the 351 M wagon. One thing that did make a big big difference, I was always needing valve jobs on these two engines. Finally a mechanic told me to use higher octane fuel, so I put in half premium and half regular at every fill up. I have not needed a valve job since.
One of the week spots on the Cougars etc. is the steering box, which will start to leak after the seals wear out. These can be rebuilt... I know a guy in Miami Springs who specializes in rebuilding the Ford /Mercury steering gear assembly. I had him rebuild a couple of extra ones that I pulled out of junk yards to keep on hand as spares. The other weak spot is some of the electrical, like the temperature control and electric window, driver's side in particular. Problem is the drivers door terminal will go bad, and ruin brand new switches. I have one wagon where I have to leave the driver's window up all the time. Motor is good, but the terminal block is not, and I'm not sure if there's a way to by pass that ?
Nothing says 1979 like a Mercury with orange paint, two-tone peanut butter upholstery, and a beige vinyl roof.
These videos are amazing! Personally, I'd like to see the footage from the road trip!
My mom's 77 XR7 was a surprise birthday gift from my dad. it was loaded with everything including sport dash, corning lights, etc. It was a beautiful brown with a white top and white leather interior. Same wheels as this example. She loved it...and so did I at 17 years old.
This color is one that seemed popular on these. Burgundy and cream colors were also popular. If I ever win the lottery I'm coming to Florida and have you find me a whole stable of 60s and 70s American luxury cars.
I swear I love the cars that Bill brings to us ... I’ve been on an anti modern car kick lately, they are so lackluster, packed with unreliable tech and offered at exorbitant prices. Keep up the good work 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
I was at a stoplight the other day and just looked at the cars. Nothing exciting, so much plastic and ugly tail lights. The Mercedes looked like the Toyota looked like the Lexus looked like the Chevy Malibu! All the SUVs were white and rounded. The connectivity tech and sattelite radio are cool, but all style is gone, especially American cars except Cadillac and Lincolns for a while.
What a nice preserved car. Brings back memories of my very first car back in 1980 - a 1975 Mercury Montego MX Coupe. Those were rare already back then.
Dude I cannot believe one of the big networks haven't picked you up to be their weatherguy
He is no "dude" to you. His name is Bill and he is no buddy of yours.
@@paulparoma His name is William. Have a cup of tea and a lie down Richard, looks like you need one.
@@gregidour7315 I am not Richard, but Merry Christmas.
Great voice.
X-rated weather guy!
I had a 79 T-Bird with the aero alloy wheels it was a 400 cid.
The 302 will do 120mph if you hold it down long enough, I am pretty sure they would go faster but the fuel is restricted by a narrow opening coming out of the tank.
These were great driving cars and really good as a young family car, you had room for the kids but also a stylish and somewhat sporty car.
My grandparents had a 1979 XR7.....Silver with red vinyl top. It was a gorgeous car
I love these videos! They remind me of talking to your car-collector grandpa who shows all his cool and weird cars to you
My first car was a 78 cougar. That thing was a boat!!! It had a factory cb and an 8 track tape deck. I had one of those cassette adapters that sounded like crap but, man, I had some good times I'm that car. 1987 seems like yesterday sometimes
I still drive my 1979 Cougar which has the factory CB and Quadrasonic 8 Track player. Both still work.
Perfect ride to take to a family steakhouse establishment.
🤣🤣🤣
Please post that road trip footage! I’d love to see and hear your rambling haha. Keep these videos coming Bill, they’re the only thing left getting me through the weeks
I had a dark blue with a white top 78 and I absolutely loved that car. It was slow and huge but I wish I had another right now
Can't forget this car. My grandfather had a green one with the green top.
I learned to drive on a 1972 Cougar 4 speed manual V8 hardtop RWD. I was 15 years old. Got my license the day I turned 16.
One of my favorite car's ever!! Thanks Bill reviewing this classic!
Nice Fargo reference, I chuckled to myself at that one!
I’ve been in the telecom industry for 21 years and been to 10s of thousands of houses and that is the slowest gate I have ever seen.
And I thought it was just me!..My gate is nothing special, but it's much faster than that.
Jesus Christ! that's a time machine back to '79 for me!
And the cherry on the nostalgia cake: 20:36 AC/DC Highway to Hell🤘👌
I cant wait to see if you put up the car trip video I'd love to hear some rambling about god only knows what. I love these videos learn and have a good laugh at the same time!
So much of this car reminds me of my grandparents 1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham.
Bill, my mom has a 78 XR7, blue over blue leather, white trim with a white 1/4 quarter top. It’s been garaged it’s whole life. It has no power equipment, but does have A/C with auto climate. 351 Windsor. It was a custom order. It is a fun car to drive, gets a lot of looks, and seems to become more collectible as time passes, and yes, there are few survivors. As a little kid in 80s they seemed to be all over, by the time I was in college they were nowhere to be found.
Pure gold these reviews ..excellent I look forward to every week. Much appreciated Bill. Keep them coming.
I've finally identified what makes your commentary so special to listen to. Along with your humor and mastery of the English language, you speak like all in our age group should. Its a pleasure to listen to an adult who isn't using stupid trendy ghetto speak like: You got dis; Triggered; Imma; etc. There's nothing more obnoxious than listening to a 50 year old soccer mom try to speak like their 16 year old daughter. Thank you sir for continuing to make us smile. Dan- Your neighbor in Punta Gorda.
I was never this early,good videos btw
Thanks!
Thanks Bill, I love seeing all these old classic cars we never got in the UK (& about 20 years before I was even born actually)
thats gorgous, i remember all the dark blue with saddle interiors and matching half roof ones running around ...
My dad worked for Ford at the Livonia Transmission plant. My mother (who didn’t drive) always wanted a Cougar. When these were introduced, he took her to the local Mercury dealer and surprised her with the ultra rare 77 4 door Cougar Brougham. They let me pick the color and the caps. I chose dark brown with the brown vinyl roof, and wire caps. Since my folks were buying with the A plan, and the car was such a success, they had to wait for their special order to be delivered until the spring of 77. It was worth the wait because the car was beautiful. Wherever they went, my mom and dad always got compliments. When summer vacation came that year, the 3 of us went to Montreal from Detroit. I recall my dad complaining about the “small trunk”. But it always looked great when it was washed and detailed. My folks kept it until the Cougar with the weird back window was introduced. They gave the 77 Cougar to me. It still looked new, and the valet at Menjo’s always parked it in front. I kept it 3 or 4 years and then it was time for something new. I honestly can’t remember what. I sometimes still wished I had it, but our black, 2017, Mazda6 grand touring looks pretty good too.
I can watch your clips all day Bill, your quick humor, your knowledge, and weather commentary is top notch. Hopefully you can do more station wagons.
My parents bought a new 79 that was black and gold with a tan interior......was a gorgeous car. Owned it for five years, then they traded it in for a 84 cougar, then a 87, and finally ended up with a 91 supercharged model red ext. Black interior...... Wish I had the 79 or 91..... Would be happy with either!!
An old friend of mine scored basically the same 1979 XR7 as in this video. He bought it off some old lady that never drove it. It had 15k miles on it. It was actually a very nice car. It was HUGE. It was like driving around in a living room with wheels. It had a 351.
I had a really horrible month and I was down in port Orange and had to watch these videos to laugh my ass off. I’m absolutely thankful for these videos!
The 4 round gauges remind me a bit of the Continental Mark II's gauge set.
Thanks for the memories. I had one in 81. Silver with a red interior. Factory 8-track stereo, power driver's seat, even a power trunk release. Mine was loaded. I always liked the gun sight at the end of the expansive hood.
Really enjoyed this one Bill! I’m a die hard First Generation Cougar fan and collector of all things of the time. I even have one of those early Design emblems that was a Cougar for the Mustang you mentioned! It fits right in a 65 mustangs “corrall” in the center of the grille. Never seen another like it.
You really nailed just what this car is and how important the Cougar always was to Mercury. At the sign of the car was the mantra for a long long time!
Originally it really actually revolutionized and defined a luxury sport coupe. Never had there been one in the US.
I usually only go for the 67-68s but goddam this one is pretty and preserved so incredibly well.
Keep up the good work. Love your voice and descriptions exotically of that air that’s so thick you can see it 😳😆
Hey Bill! Bought one of these in 1977 with all the bells and toys. Sun roof, illuminated entry system, power antenna every option. Mine cost me almost $10k from the show room floor of Forest Cate Ford & Lincoln Mercury in Chattanooga, TN. Mine was triple black and come with factory with chrome wheels, full instrumentation and man was she a beauty. Had the 400cid engine and an 8 track lol. LOVE to have it now! One thing you mentioned on yours that is different than mine was the skid seal in the doors. Mine actually had Mercury instead of Ford. Oh, and my trunk was carpeted. I actually put 35k miles on that car and sold it for more money than I paid for it in 1980 ... lol! I really did. The Cougars were exceptionally good cars. Mine was for sure. Thanks for show casing one. Brought back a lot of good memories for me.
Nice to see that the quartz analog clock still keeps time after 42 Years!! Nice green glow of the dashboard lights from Ford until 2009, more or less depending on the vehicle.
Yea, the quarts electronic clocks kept working.
Thanks for the weather report. :)
Brings back so many memories for me. I had a 78 Thunderbird and it was in an accident. I was devastated. My neighbor knew how much I loved my car. She took me to her garage and pulled the tarp off her husband's old car. It was a mint green 79 Cougar XR7 with a white vinyl top. I bought that car from her and drove it several years. The 351W motor went bad so I sold it. Looking back I wish I had put another motor in it and kept the car. These new cars just don't have the luxurious feel of the 79 Cougar.
Welcome back Bill, you make these reviews entertaining and informative and your sarcasm is hilarious.
Your knowledge on cars is phenomenal thank you Bill
Bill, love listening to your car descriptions. This one made me laugh as a guy I went to college with ( Fairleigh Dickinson University) had a brand new 79 Cougar very similar to this one. He was seeing a girl named Roxanne and would always play the song from the Police. He wanted me to take a ride to his girlfriends house during a real bad rainstorm. Hopped in the Cougar ( playing Roxanne constantly) with him and we were driving down a road that had some deep water from flooding. I told him turn around and he didn’t listen. To make a long story short he sunk the car! Water up to the windows that we rolled down and jumped out. Needless to say car was totaled and his parents were pissed. Beautiful car!!
I look forward to your videos, Bill! Love the Mercury Cougar too!
OMG, gone but not forgotten! Was so mad at my Dad for not getting this in 78 but instead he got the LTD II, oh well. Keep up the great videos Bill and keep that flask on hand! :-)
The paint job looks amazing
It is - all original paint on this car.
These Classic car's will always rule the road 💯 thanks Bill 😊 🙏 you're the Best for sure 👍 be safe
What a beauty and the cars not half bad either! I missed you . Your videos brighten my day so please carry on with your rants and raves!
My dad had one of these cars thru the 80`s, Red painted body with the rear top Black. it was what it was for those days. He traded it in for a 1990 Honda accord which was the cool thing back then.
Back then it was all about the chrome and the grill with a hood ornament of some sort.
I bought a 1977 back in early 78 and got to enjoy my Cougar for about 6 weeks and was unfortunately Stolen from me when visiting family in Asheville, NC.
Broken hearted and stranded I ended up buying a Ford F150 from Matthews Ford.
Never did get my baby back.
It was a really beautiful car and had a Lincoln style smoothness ride.
Turbine style rims and white letter tire. Tachometer, quatrz clock, am/fm radio with cassette player, 302 V8 wirh an after market 4 bbl carb.
I miss those hide-away headlights.
I recently found a 1988 all original Lincoln Town Car wirh all the papers, wire spoke rims and garage kept with less than 60,000 miles.
I fell in love instantly and was fortunate enough that I am now the second owner.... Back in a new garage she sits for pretty day driving only.
I also owned a 77 T-Bird with the same color scheme. Mandarin Gold with Butterscotch Interior.
Good videos!
All the best from Hungary!
Bill, you have a unique way of reviewing vehicles. Your great personality comes through so well !
I was fortunate to tour the Chicago Ford Assembly Plant in November of 1978 to see the Production of the 1979 Thunderbird & Cougar. A High School Teacher set up the tour for our Class. Great Memory
I had a 76 cougar in the late nineties everyone thought it was a boat, I told them when I was coming of age they were considered a mid size car.
20:49 - absolutely perfect - going to put on the ac while AC/DC is playing
on the radio! LOL
Bill, love your Vids.. very interesting and informative.. I love cars from the 70's and 80's.. Look forward to your vids..
I had one of these cars. Bought it from friend for $150.00 because the fly wheel was bad. My Cougar though was fully loaded. It had the tach also. It came with the 351 Windsor. It was the second to last made. As for power, she was no snail. She had plenty of power to haul ass. Damn near would put you in the trunk when you floored it. On the highway she road so smooth. Just floated down the road! I am not a Ford fan but I loved this car!
I really appreciate many elements of that styling, and love that interior layout with plush seating and panels. If only cars like that weren't underpowered, fuel inefficient, and hopeless on safety ratings...
Welcome back Bill! Glad you enjoyed yourself in NC with some cooler weather.
Thanks. I certainly did. The heat is no good for me.
My uncle had a black 1979 Cougar XR7 new. I remember sitting in it as a child and how the C-pillars were styled was amongst all the popularity.
I had 77 with a 351 Modified. The ride was absolutely amazing. I miss that car!
Lovely shade of Burnt Orange...
What I love about these videos is that while you are hilarious in your explanation of the cars, you really do have a commentary for where America was at any particular time.
That seatbelt buzzer took me right back to childhood..
Bill, love the videos, love the way you present the cars its very entertaining
Thank you very much Bill, a beauty of a Cougar and those hilarious gates 👍
The american car design of the 60s and 70s was world unique, and can never be repeated. The cars had individuality, and character, and were luxurious.
Just got my 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 painted original red with a white top it's beautiful
Love your reviews! That is an interesting car for its time. Keep up the good work!!
i once had a 70 Bronco XLT with the same steering wheel...i wish i hadnt gotten rid of it, and with your showcasing these nice classics, im inclined to getting another one! thanks, Bill!
My two cousins each had the TBird and XR7 from this era at the same time. Pulling up at their house was rolling into Studio 54 with these boats parked outside... :)
Thanks for the great trip down memory lane. I really enjoy seeing these wonderful cars from my earlier days! Such great memories! In 1979 I had a Thunderbird Town Landau in dark jade green metallic with matching leather interior, gold pin striping, and the turbine style wheels with coordinating gold painted spokes. Of course it also had that distinctive brushed stainless steel crown over the roof which was standard on the Town Landau. That was such a great cruiser just like that Cougar. Looking back, I wish I still had it as it would be a great weekend car just for fun.
The Thunderbird Landau was the cat's meow back in the day. It was the very top of the line full of unique features like that stainless bar that went up across the roof, the turbine wheels you mentioned and gold scripting in the opera window. That jade green was pretty and really popped. The landau was pretty pricey for the time and if you could afford a Thunderbird like that they would know that you had arrived. Funny thing about the chassis and base sheet metal on those cars. Ford Motor company made cars based on that original 1972 Grand Torino platform through 1979 with a number of body styles and nameplates as Ford did with Fox body based cars.
Those bumpers are what destroyed car designs back from 1973 to the mid 80s. That front end reminded me of the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch. They were popular too
Those bumpers were real bumpers, unlike the plastic/foam garbage on modern cars.
Ford did the worst job of designing cars with impact bumpers. Most of their efforts look like chrome plated railroad ties.
Bill, you're the best car reviewer on RUclips. And from one car guy to another your attention to detail is astounding. Myself, I know so many little things on so many cars that are quirky or odd and you find them all. Especially where to stash the coke. I grew up in South Florida. I was there in the 70s/80s. I know. My god have I got stories. Thinking about starting my own channel. Thanks for the entertainment.
Bill I now go around saying "For the Love of God..." I wonder where I got that from....? Thank God a new video today, it again made my morning. I especially LOVE all of these vintage American cars you profile, Keep them Coming.. !!!! Wish you could do one every day. !!!! WE LOVE BILL... !!!! :) :)
This guy is GREAT .......love the overall quality of his analysis, fun yet to the point.
Beautiful car. I had a 1979 Cougar XR7 with same interior and light chamois exterior color and vinyl top. Mine also had the 302 V8 which did underpower a car this heavy. I drove the car a few months in early 1979 then traded for a new Mustang. A much smaller car and luxurious like the Cougar but much better power with the same 302 V8 engine. Your video makes me further appreciate the real cars we used get at a reasonable price instead of the little four cylinder bubbles we have today but today's high prices make me appreciate even having a car today. I really like my Toyota Corolla. Its a very nice car for a 2010 with a 130,00 miles. I wouldn't think of trading it. There's no other car I want. They are all pretty much the same any more. Nobody makes a 2 door coupe either. Those personal luxury cars were pretty special back then even though they lacked power they made up for it in style. Something that very rare today.
Keep these entertaining and informative videos coming Bill . You are awesome ! 👍
Ty for sharing classic cougar pic
I had a 78 magnum. Loved it
I owned a 1979 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Rally Sport Edition w/the 351 back in 1986. I loved that car until I blew a rod and cracked the block. Gorgeous car!
Bill, I spent only a decade officially in the car business when i was young.. from salesman quickly to sales management to F&I then on to GSM in new car stores.. since then cars as a hobby i have loved.. i love seeing the classic metal you show and we share the same thoughts and have the same interests about them.. I love your humor and honesty about your feelings as well as the knowledge that only a few of us even cared enough to learn yet alone retain over time.. I wanna thank you for resurrecting those stored memories and providing such great content.. BTW, i'll be in Florida later this year, i'd like to extend an offer to buy you lunch/dinner/drinks/asian "massage" with happy ending... if you like, of course.. we can discuss goat marinade, Canadians and classic cars.. I've always wanted to buy a car from you, and was about to when you left the joint with Marty.. went to buy and the inventory was gone.. story of my life.. Thanks again Bill..
Parents purchased a brand new Cougar XR-7 on 07/08/77. This is one of the most memorable cars they ever had. Beautiful, comfortable, 400 V-8, loaded with the exception of power door locks. Still wish I had that car. It was like the perfect sized Continental Mark V.
You're taking me back to high school, Bill. with this one...my mother bought the T-bird in "metallic red glow" over the emerald green cougar...the Ford and Lincoln/Mercury dealerships were .5 miles apart on the same road...we went back and forth about 3 times between the two cars. My mother read some horoscope for 1979 that said "red" was her lucky color that year...so we got the T-bird that I took to school every day after dropping her off at work. BOY OH BOY, did I feel good about myself then!
Bill, you're the Paul Harvey of car salesmen... I love your presentations and your stories. Thanks !