Were Mercury Cougars and Ford Mustangs built on the same line?
No, the Mercury Cougar and Ford Mustang were not built on the same production line. While both vehicles were part of the Ford Motor Company's lineup, they were manufactured in separate facilities and shared some underlying components, but had distinct designs and production processes.
Differences in Production and Design
The Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar were two distinct models within the Ford lineup, each with its own unique design and target audience. The Mustang, introduced in 1964, was Ford's iconic pony car, known for its sporty styling and performance-oriented features. In contrast, the Mercury Cougar, introduced in 1967, was positioned as a more luxurious and refined version of the Mustang, with a focus on comfort and refinement over pure performance.
While the Mustang and Cougar shared some underlying components, such as the chassis and powertrain options, they were manufactured in separate facilities. The Mustang was produced at Ford's Dearborn Assembly Plant in Michigan, while the Cougar was assembled at the Metuchen Assembly Plant in New Jersey. This allowed each model to be tailored to its specific target market and production requirements.
Shared Platforms and Components
Despite being produced in different facilities, the Mustang and Cougar did share some common underpinnings. Both models were built on Ford's "Falcon" platform, which was a unibody design that provided a solid foundation for the vehicles. Additionally, the Cougar and Mustang often shared engine options, transmissions, and other mechanical components, allowing for economies of scale and shared development costs within the Ford organization.
However, the exterior and interior designs of the Mustang and Cougar were distinctly different, reflecting their respective positioning within the Ford lineup. The Cougar was typically more luxurious, with a more refined and elegant appearance, while the Mustang maintained its sporty and aggressive styling.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar shared some underlying components and were part of the Ford Motor Company's product lineup, they were not built on the same production line. The Mustang and Cougar were manufactured in separate facilities, with distinct designs and target audiences, reflecting their unique positions within the Ford brand portfolio.
Is the Mercury Cougar the same as the Mustang?
As a rule, the Cougars from these first two generations are a bit heavier and a lot better equipped than their Mustang counterparts. Production ran at a fraction of what Mustangs sold, in part due to a smaller dealer network, but also because the Cougars were significantly more expensive.
Did Ford make the Mercury Cougar?
It's been 7 years since Ford Motor company closed up their mercury division. During the Marque's 73-year history, it was mostly known for unexciting, badge-engineered versions of ford brand cars. One of the rare exceptions was the first-generation Mercury Cougar.
What was the Ford equivalent to the Mercury Cougar?
The Cougar XR-7 also returned as a personal luxury coupe, now a counterpart of the Ford Thunderbird, a pairing that lasted through 1997.
What years of Mercury Cougar should I avoid?
The Cougar has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 8th generation (1999–2002).
What year of Mercury Cougar to avoid?
The Cougar has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 8th generation (1999–2002).
What does XR7 mean on a Mercury Cougar?
experimental racing
It's been suggested that "XR-7" is a cipher for "experimental racing," and there was, in fact, a team of Cougars prepared by NASCAR specialist Bud Moore for drivers Dan Gurney and Parnelli Jones to compete in the 1967 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am road-racing championship.
What is the rarest Mustang built?
Option how would you feel driving one of these 21 Elite convertibles. Each a true Gem of performance. And exclusivity among them one is truly.
What was the Mercury version of the Mustang?
In 1967, the Cougar was introduced, which was Mercury's version of the Ford Mustang. The 1970s saw the introduction of the Grand Marquis, Mercury's best-selling nameplate.
What is the most desirable Mercury Cougar?
Today, Cougars from 1967 to 1970 are all very collectible, especially the convertibles. Of the near 375,000 Cougars built in its four years of production, only about 13,500 were ragtops. The most collectible, no surprise, are the 428 Cobra Jets, the 427 GTE, and the Eliminator CJ model.
Is a Mercury Capri the same as a Mustang?
From 1979 to 1986, the second generation Capri became part of the Mercury model line as a U.S. built pony car, a badge engineered variant of the contemporary Ford Mustang.
