I actually bought the DVD with nearly all these road test reviews. Same dry humor same smoking of the brakes. It’s awesome! Also, same narrator who never misses a beat.
Ah my first car at age 18, in 1980. Brings back great memories. Glad I didn’t need to do anything but cruise in it because it was an awesome cruiser. Back then we could sit on the side of the hood in the park to watch cruisers go by, and lay back on the windshield at the drive in. Loved seeing the whole hood out in front of me with the Cougar hood ornament as I drove. Nice heavy solid feel and rode like a dream. Everything started falling apart at only 60,000 miles but that was common then. Still, I miss it!
I had a 1974 XR 7 Oxford White w/Tan Leather interior and Faux Leather Landau roof, I enjoyed it, & it responded in kind as it rewarded me with great comfort and zero mechanical issues!
Had one. Split red leather buckets and console shift. A very unique blue with a dark red split vinyl top. 351 Cleveland powered. Handled like hell. Understeered like most Fords of its day. Looked great but well you know the story. Still wish I had it today though...
Welcome to the malaise. For the first time in the history of the automobile, all the 1974 models perform worse and have worse fuel economy than the previous years models.
@@reginalddennis6466 You and I both. Thinking back, these cars may have been choked to death thanks to government regulations, but they lasted longer than the payments, and the mechanically inclined could work on their own vehicles.
Not exactly. Big cars back then were all about a soft ride quality, no matter the engine. So the 302 and 351 versions would have had softer springs, thinner sway bars, and possibly softer shocks to maintain the same ride with the lighter engine. So they would have handled in a similar fashion to the 460 car.
Maindrian Pace You know I didn't think about that. You're right. I would argue, though, that certain brands were known for better handling than not. The big Chrysler cars, with the torsion bar suspension and unibody construction were nimble ( nimble for the time period anyways) and had a slightly firmer than average suspension. GM was known for having more steering wheel "play" from the factory, and I would say, the smoothest rides of the big 3. Ford was hit and miss, somewhere in the middle. AMCs tended to be more on the firm side, but had a lot of body lean because of cost-cutting.
The 351-CJ was still available in 1974. Would have helped on the suspension. I've been researching if the Competition Suspension package from the Torino was still available and of so, would have been much better. The heavy duty suspension package on this one could be for trailer towing purposes. Who knows.
I had this exact car in 1979. It was a heavy car which was why it took time to take off once you step on the gas pedal. It's a big heavy car. I was sorry I did not get a '73 cougar, which was smaller and more sleek.
I used to own a car just like this one. They forgot to mention the awful horn. It was called a 'rim fire' and was activated by squeezing the rim of the steering wheel. That wouldn't have been so bad, but I always slammed my hand into the center, resulting in several near miss accidents. However, I loved that car. I blew the motor, a piston blew out the underside of the car. It was an extremely comfortable car.
Omg I had that stupid horn inside the steering wheel on my ‘74 Cougar! One time I was sitting at a red light in heavy traffic, windows shut with stereo blasting. Heard a car horn just blaring away. Who the heck is doing that I thought. Then I realized I was because I was resting my arms down on the inside of the steering wheel, lol. Oopsy!😆 When I did try to use it in near accidents I would squeeze and squeeze the wheel but nothing. What a dumb design that was!!
I drove a 71 Cougar with a 351 Cleveland auto on floor it was n old lady down the block and she used to ask me to go to the store for her that car FLEW!!! It was like a gentleman s hot rod it reminded of the Tarino alot it was a nice car
The test driver should have gotten a medal. Ford cars of the mid 1970s had horribly overboosted steering. My friend’s dad had a ‘77 Granada and you could steer it with one finger.
that is one beautiful car, I miss the old boats, the announcer is so cruel, saying all those nasty things about this old boat. I had a 76 Elite, my first really nice car, bought in 82. almost identical. Sold it in 84, that was 34 years ago and I still regret it. very sad.
My grandmother had one, And the narrator was correct on the body lean and brakes. She had that car until the day she died . Now my sister has it and she paid to have the suspension worked on and heavier springs were put in. That 460 is a beast no matter what some say.
Had the Cougar in the comparison had the 351-CJ that was still available (1974 was last year at 255 net hp) instead of its 460, its performance time would have been much better. Also, if you watch the braking on the Cougar, it was much more stable and unlike the Cutlass which had its rear come around. Suspension was won by Cutlass hands-down.
Anyone know if the DVD of this series is of better quality visually? I wonder if there are any car reviews that from this series that haven't been posted to YT yet.
parents had one when i was a kid, and yes it was a smooth, floaty ride...maybe a bit too much, but compared to the truck riding crap being turned out today, a little smoother would be appreciated
Personal luxury for the person who's outgrown the Mustang, but not quite ready to step up to a Thunderbird. Nice ride, though for outside styling, I prefer the Ford Elite.
@@peteshea8010 Correct, and you couldn't tell if the tires were low unless you used a gauge. The radials back then had that "Radial Slap" going over pavement expansion joints too.
The body-roll at 3:00. Lol. My sister had a '73, which was a prettier looking boat. This thing... man. The Titanic would give it a "sheesh, you really let yourself go" side-eye.
It's stupid tests like this that led Manufacturers to make "Modern" Cars stiff and uncomfortable with a harsh ride. I have owned many cars and have never had to take any through a Slalom Course.
And they drank tankfuls of fuel and made no HP. The lower performance of these lousy smog engines would have been easier to accept if they burned less fuel in proportion to the lower HP numbers, but that wasn't the case.
This era of cars had shit mileage along with low power. They had low compression, retarded timing with both the spark and the cam, and smog equipment that choked off the breathing. For example, higher compression increases the thermal efficiency, so lowing it decreases both power and mileage.
I mean, yeah it sucked for people who bought them new, but personally I'm glad they happened, I love these cars. I have a 1977 Cougar and I love that thing, 8mpg and all.
![Eminem - Fuel (feat. JID) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5H_CewqpKA/mqdefault.jpg)
I actually bought the DVD with nearly all these road test reviews. Same dry humor same smoking of the brakes. It’s awesome! Also, same narrator who never misses a beat.
…”the narrator never misses a boat” hahaha
Ah my first car at age 18, in 1980. Brings back great memories. Glad I didn’t need to do anything but cruise in it because it was an awesome cruiser. Back then we could sit on the side of the hood in the park to watch cruisers go by, and lay back on the windshield at the drive in. Loved seeing the whole hood out in front of me with the Cougar hood ornament as I drove. Nice heavy solid feel and rode like a dream. Everything started falling apart at only 60,000 miles but that was common then. Still, I miss it!
My best friend owned a 1968 XR-7. That was a "real" Cougar. It was a real joy to drive.
I had two both gold with black vinyl top.. Nice car!
I had a 1974 XR 7 Oxford White w/Tan Leather interior and Faux Leather Landau roof, I enjoyed it, & it responded in kind as it rewarded me with great comfort and zero mechanical issues!
I wasn’t so fortunate, mine fell apart at 60,000 miles. Everyone said a 351 Cleveland was a good engine, but apparently not mine. 🙄
I was 14 years old in 1974 these commercials brings back memories.
Still want one despite the obvious underwhelming handling, a gorgeous car with silky-smooth ride!
rbielarski I have one 38k org miles was my grandfather's car 460 police interceptor
police car w/ 38k miles? You are an idiot. sorry.
ruclips.net/video/RBix4k80uHQ/видео.html 😉
@@cyberrednec good stuff !
razzledc69 = What made the 460 a police interceptor?
I love watching them torture these old boats in the handling course.
Had one. Split red leather buckets and console shift. A very unique blue with a dark red split vinyl top. 351 Cleveland powered. Handled like hell. Understeered like most Fords of its day. Looked great but well you know the story. Still wish I had it today though...
18.2 quarter mile with a 460. Man these were sad days!
Welcome to the malaise. For the first time in the history of the automobile, all the 1974 models perform worse and have worse fuel economy than the previous years models.
I learned to drive with this car my parents owned. Later bought it from them and sadly had to junk it in 1997. I miss it terribly.
Miss this time of life
@@reginalddennis6466 You and I both. Thinking back, these cars may have been choked to death thanks to government regulations, but they lasted longer than the payments, and the mechanically inclined could work on their own vehicles.
I had the 1975 XR7 in Emerald Green with the 351 Windsor. 11 mpg and underpowered but sharp and comfortable. The floors rotted out.
I'm 46. My dad bought one the year I was born. I still remember it. White with white interior
Watching that thing lumber through the cones was painful, but then almost everything handled like that back then.
The soft suspension was made worse by the 460 big block. A small block wouldn't be quite so bad. Less weight up front= increased stability.
Not exactly. Big cars back then were all about a soft ride quality, no matter the engine. So the 302 and 351 versions would have had softer springs, thinner sway bars, and possibly softer shocks to maintain the same ride with the lighter engine. So they would have handled in a similar fashion to the 460 car.
Maindrian Pace You know I didn't think about that. You're right. I would argue, though, that certain brands were known for better handling than not. The big Chrysler cars, with the torsion bar suspension and unibody construction were nimble ( nimble for the time period anyways) and had a slightly firmer than average suspension. GM was known for having more steering wheel "play" from the factory, and I would say, the smoothest rides of the big 3. Ford was hit and miss, somewhere in the middle. AMCs tended to be more on the firm side, but had a lot of body lean because of cost-cutting.
It's that heavy 460 up front.
This was a good looking car for 1974 even if the performance sucked.
The 351-CJ was still available in 1974. Would have helped on the suspension. I've been researching if the Competition Suspension package from the Torino was still available and of so, would have been much better. The heavy duty suspension package on this one could be for trailer towing purposes. Who knows.
I had this exact car in 1979. It was a heavy car which was why it took time to take off once you step on the gas pedal. It's a big heavy car. I was sorry I did not get a '73 cougar, which was smaller and more sleek.
Would still take it just the way it is.
I like it! Built in 1974, my birth year, too!
I used to own a car just like this one. They forgot to mention the awful horn. It was called a 'rim fire' and was activated by squeezing the rim of the steering wheel. That wouldn't have been so bad, but I always slammed my hand into the center, resulting in several near miss accidents. However, I loved that car. I blew the motor, a piston blew out the underside of the car. It was an extremely comfortable car.
Omg I had that stupid horn inside the steering wheel on my ‘74 Cougar! One time I was sitting at a red light in heavy traffic, windows shut with stereo blasting. Heard a car horn just blaring away. Who the heck is doing that I thought. Then I realized I was because I was resting my arms down on the inside of the steering wheel, lol. Oopsy!😆 When I did try to use it in near accidents I would squeeze and squeeze the wheel but nothing. What a dumb design that was!!
I drove a 71 Cougar with a 351 Cleveland auto on floor it was n old lady down the block and she used to ask me to go to the store for her that car FLEW!!! It was like a gentleman s hot rod it reminded of the Tarino alot it was a nice car
1971 was still a good year for American V8s. The party was over after 1971.
@@scdevon '73
The test driver should have gotten a medal. Ford cars of the mid 1970s had horribly overboosted steering. My friend’s dad had a ‘77 Granada and you could steer it with one finger.
Ha I remember those days. I could “palm the wheel” when doing a tight turn. Tried that recently with my 2014 Cruze...nope. 😂
MAN!!! LOOK AT THE BODY ROLL IS JUST CRIMINAL!
"Fattening-up" happening today with all the trucks and SUV's....
that is one beautiful car, I miss the old boats, the announcer is so cruel, saying all those nasty things about this old boat. I had a 76 Elite, my first really nice car, bought in 82. almost identical. Sold it in 84, that was 34 years ago and I still regret it. very sad.
Labeled JELLY!! Soft and wallowly!
My grandmother had one, And the narrator was correct on the body lean and brakes. She had that car until the day she died . Now my sister has it and she paid to have the suspension worked on and heavier springs were put in. That 460 is a beast no matter what some say.
Thanks for posting this. Heh, heh. A little sloppy hot rodding but it lands on all 4. In town cruiser. Long trips a plus.
Looked like a compact compared to many other vehicles on the road.
i think a few of those wheel weights may have asphalt scrapes on them.those tires folded over like a rubber skyscraper.
Almost reminds me of the 1971 Mercury Marquis they've tested on here in the handling department.
I'll take a 1973 4speed convertible.
Had the Cougar in the comparison had the 351-CJ that was still available (1974 was last year at 255 net hp) instead of its 460, its performance time would have been much better. Also, if you watch the braking on the Cougar, it was much more stable and unlike the Cutlass which had its rear come around. Suspension was won by Cutlass hands-down.
He doesn't know why a personal luxury car would have such pillowy suspension. Because it's a personal luxury car!
Good example of performance traded in for pollution control .
Anyone know if the DVD of this series is of better quality visually? I wonder if there are any car reviews that from this series that haven't been posted to YT yet.
parents had one when i was a kid, and yes it was a smooth, floaty ride...maybe a bit too much, but compared to the truck riding crap being turned out today, a little smoother would be appreciated
Personal luxury for the person who's outgrown the Mustang, but not quite ready to step up to a Thunderbird. Nice ride, though for outside styling, I prefer the Ford Elite.
Nice car :)
It's not a race car BUD ...... it's a Luxury Comfortable Family road machine- Not a road racer
Was it possible to take the smog stuff off and then get all the power back or is the engine tuned for low power also?
With a bit of money anything is possible. Those early 70s 460s can make 300+ hp with the usual parts swapped.
Where was the tire pressure set, 12 psi?
Looks like 12 psi is right.3 psi per tire.Lol
@@emeyer6963 No. The old radials from this era were notorious for their "radial bulge" due to very soft sidewalls. I know because I was there.
@@peteshea8010 Correct, and you couldn't tell if the tires were low unless you used a gauge. The radials back then had that "Radial Slap" going over pavement expansion joints too.
love the braking tests lmao
The body-roll at 3:00. Lol. My sister had a '73, which was a prettier looking boat. This thing... man. The Titanic would give it a "sheesh, you really let yourself go" side-eye.
It’s fun watching that thing lean all over the place
There’s no way it took 9.5 seconds to go from 50mph to 70 mph ,,, he had to mean 0 to 70 in 9.5 ???
Ya I didn't get that either???
Well, it obviously fell into the Ford calorie tank and fattened up
2:39 That’s because the way you’re driving it it’s not supposed to be driven that way
Cadillacs & Chrysler Imperials, and Lincolns were NEVER TESTED on this show, I, wonder WHY!!!!
I think they tested everything , but they werent uploaded on here.
I wish I can see the Cadillacs, Chryslers and Lincolns videos.
Why did Ford take it off mustang platform? Sad
Every time I see a old review I loose interest to drive them for fun.
0-50 in 7 seconds for a whale like the Cougar really wasn’t so bad TBH
Bud did not approve.
How much you asking for this beauty.
They are very large and VERY comfortable. Definitely not a great handling car lol
It's stupid tests like this that led Manufacturers to make "Modern" Cars stiff and uncomfortable with a harsh ride. I have owned many cars and have never had to take any through a Slalom Course.
my 1976 ranchero with a 460 did 0-60 mph in 5 sec.
I had a 78 Ranchero with the 400 M that did that
Nope
Engine sound
107 yo still driving😂
0 to 70 in 14 seconds w a 460v8? What a pig...
Road testing like that is inappropriate for that type of car. I had one and it was wonderful. I never had to drive thru a slalom course.
Crappy for something with a 460 4bl.
And they drank tankfuls of fuel and made no HP. The lower performance of these lousy smog engines would have been easier to accept if they burned less fuel in proportion to the lower HP numbers, but that wasn't the case.
the hp figures were net not gross. the 429/460s were low revving high torque engines, fuel efficiency depended on driving habits and state of tune.
This era of cars had shit mileage along with low power. They had low compression, retarded timing with both the spark and the cam, and smog equipment that choked off the breathing.
For example, higher compression increases the thermal efficiency, so lowing it decreases both power and mileage.
I had a 351 Cleveland and it did exactly what the book said. 10-13mpg no more, no less.
Only put out 220 hp; These were meant for the Lincolns and T-Birds to get those 5000 pound beasts to move with respectability.
straight fat shames the the fat cat
FORD always made the cars soft, very loose steering, no rear sway bar and the wrong gear. Only around 2010 did they get a clue.
Most people miss the nice ride that Ford once provided.
460 making 150hp because of emissions garbage
But never held any punches. That cougar was pure T ugly and it was definitely a lead sled !
Why did these have to happen? Embarrassing to the American motor industry
Rick Jarvis I have no Idea I think it's because of the oil crises as well as new regulations.
I mean, yeah it sucked for people who bought them new, but personally I'm glad they happened, I love these cars. I have a 1977 Cougar and I love that thing, 8mpg and all.
18 SECONDS WITH A 460 TOP OF THE LINE ENGINE, LMFAO.. I AM SURE MY 2019 HYNDAI ELANTRA 6 SPEED MANUAL WOULD DO MUCH BETTER
jim dandy = You are bold to admit you have an Hyundai Elantra.
Yeah bur your Hyundai is nearly fifty years older than this car, imagine comparing this to a ford model T, its not a fair comparison.
I bet my Tesla would do much better than your Hyundai
@@maxredman1015 I prefer RELIABILITY and low costs
@RJ mi I didnt buy it to be a boy street racer, if i wanted a little power i would have bought a Veloster R spec or N