What is the Mercury version of the Mustang?
The Mercury Cougar was a version of the iconic Ford Mustang produced by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. While not as well-known as the standard Mustang, the Cougar offered a unique take on the classic pony car design.
Origins of the Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar was introduced in 1967 as a more upscale and luxurious version of the Mustang. Ford saw an opportunity to expand the Mustang platform into a more premium market segment, and the Cougar was the result. The Cougar shared many mechanical components with the Mustang, but featured a longer, more angular body design and a more refined interior.
Key Differences from the Mustang
- Longer, more angular body design: The Cougar had a longer wheelbase and a more squared-off front end compared to the Mustang's more rounded styling.
- More premium interior: The Cougar featured higher-quality materials and more standard features than the Mustang, positioning it as a more upscale offering.
- Unique front grille and taillights: The Cougar had a distinctive grille design and unique taillights that differentiated it from the Mustang.
- Available V8 engines: Like the Mustang, the Cougar offered a range of V8 engine options, including the 302 and 351 cubic inch displacements.
While the Cougar shared many mechanical components with the Mustang, its unique styling and more premium positioning helped it carve out a distinct niche in the market. The Cougar was marketed as a more sophisticated and luxurious alternative to the Mustang, appealing to buyers who wanted a sportier car but with a more refined and upscale feel.
The Mercury Cougar's Legacy
The Mercury Cougar was produced for over 30 years, from 1967 to 1997, and went through several generations of redesigns. While it never achieved the same level of popularity as the Mustang, the Cougar developed a loyal following among enthusiasts who appreciated its unique blend of performance and luxury. Today, the Mercury Cougar is remembered as an interesting and often overlooked chapter in the history of the Ford Mustang.
Did Mercury make a Mustang?
For its first two generations, the Cougar was derived from the Ford Mustang. Initially serving as a pony car, the popularity of the Cougar led it to replace the Cyclone muscle car in the Mercury model line. The second generation moved its market position closer to the personal luxury car segment.
Did Ford make a V8 Capri?
The Ford V8 Capri is a classic example of Ford's innovation in blending muscle car performance with European styling. Introduced as part of the Ford Capri range, which was first launched in 1968, the V8 variant stood out for its impressive power and performance dynamics.
What is the Ford version of the Mercury Capri?
The Ford Capri is a fastback coupé built by Ford of Europe and designed by Philip T. Clark, who had been involved in the design of the Ford Mustang. It used the mechanical components from the Mk2 Ford Cortina and was intended as the European equivalent of the Ford Mustang.
What Mercury was a 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 was Mercury's 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.
What is the Ford version of the Mercury Marquis?
Alongside the extensive downsizing of the model line, the Ford LTD Crown Victoria was introduced for the 1980 model year, serving as the first direct divisional counterpart of the Grand Marquis.
What Mercury looks like a Mustang?
1979 Mercury Capri
Sharing the Fox platform with the Mustang, the 1979 Mercury Capri marked the first Mercury "pony car" since the 1970 Mercury Cougar. While visually similar to the Mustang, the second-generation Capri was offered solely in the three-door hatchback configuration.
Is a Mercury Capri a foxbody?
The second generation Capri was a slightly reworked and rebadged third Generation Mustang at its essence. With production starting in 1979, it served as a companion and cousin to the four-eye Fox Body Mustang until 1986. From there, the Fox Body received a refresh while the Mercury Capri was discontinued.
What is the Mercury version of the Ford Fairlane?
Mercury Meteor
| Mercury Meteor | |
|---|---|
| Class | Full-Size (1961) Mid-size (1962–1963) |
| Body style | 2-door hardtop 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Ford Fairlane |
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.
