1996 Cougar Photo Shoot
- Thread starter MindyMark
- Start date
Looks sharp! For some reason, I always liked the novelty luggage rack on the trunk. I don't know anyone who tried to use one, but I like the look.
I've always had a soft spot for the Cougars. A buddy of mine used to have a green '95 with the V8. we had a lot of fun with that car.
He later replaced it with a '97 wrangler. we had a lot of fun with that one, too.
I've always had a soft spot for the Cougars. A buddy of mine used to have a green '95 with the V8. we had a lot of fun with that car.
He later replaced it with a '97 wrangler. we had a lot of fun with that one, too.
Yeah, this Cougar is very special to me...in fact this is the second time I owned it.
I bought it in 2002 when I was 19 as my first "real" car. I put nearly 100k on it in 3 years and then thought I needed to "keep up with the Jone's" and bought a 2003 Mazda 6 in 2004. Shortly later I decided I didn't need 2 cars so I sold the Cougar.
Well last year the people I sold the Cougar to said they didn't need it anymore and asked if I wanted it back. I said HELL YA, and paid them $1300 for the car! They had it for 3 years and put about only 5,000 miles on it, so it needed quite a bit of work from just sitting around.
I bought it in 2002 when I was 19 as my first "real" car. I put nearly 100k on it in 3 years and then thought I needed to "keep up with the Jone's" and bought a 2003 Mazda 6 in 2004. Shortly later I decided I didn't need 2 cars so I sold the Cougar.
Well last year the people I sold the Cougar to said they didn't need it anymore and asked if I wanted it back. I said HELL YA, and paid them $1300 for the car! They had it for 3 years and put about only 5,000 miles on it, so it needed quite a bit of work from just sitting around.
Yeah I wouldn't try to put anything on there for sure. I always wanted to remove it to install the spoiler that was used later in 96 for the "sport appearance package"....which I've always wondered how late in 96 they changed to the spoiler because my car had a production date in May(maybe April) 1996 if I recall correctly...so it was a very late model 96.
I should of thought about that before I said that! It does go somewhere but it's just over the tracks and then does a 90 turn and really doesn't make any sense ....I think they moved the road after it was built.
But yep, it is the West Bottoms. I was down there doing a portrait session with a couple friends so I snapped some shots of the Cougar at the same time.
Are Cougars allowed? 
AND...someone has to stop me! I'm half tempted to use the cash for clunkers program to sell the Cougar and pick up a new Fusion or a one of those fancy new Taurus'....
someone stop me from junking my Cougar!!! I'm only seriouslly considering it because of the rust, the valve seals are leaking, new catalyic convertors, a/c is leaking freon from somewhere, the oil pan gasket is leaking, and the Check Engine light is on for a purge valve I have yet to replace.....not to mention the 235k it has....but other then that it runs and looks great!
AND...someone has to stop me! I'm half tempted to use the cash for clunkers program to sell the Cougar and pick up a new Fusion or a one of those fancy new Taurus'....
someone stop me from junking my Cougar!!! I'm only seriouslly considering it because of the rust, the valve seals are leaking, new catalyic convertors, a/c is leaking freon from somewhere, the oil pan gasket is leaking, and the Check Engine light is on for a purge valve I have yet to replace.....not to mention the 235k it has....but other then that it runs and looks great!
That's not quite the response I expected!!!! However I did just get back from test driving a 2010 Fusion. It's still very similar to the 03 Mazda 6 I had, but a bit more comfortable.However, who the hell designed the ergonomics in the new Fords? The center stack is horrid to look at and use. Too many buttons, and the buttons are too small or far out of reach.
Getting back in my Cougar, everything is in reach, simple to look at and use - just like they are in a Mark VIII. I've always thought Ford had nice simple switchgear that was easy to use and reach, but lately they are really failing in that department.
If it wasn't for the rust on the quarter panels I would be all for fixing up the 96....Just this week the rust actually broke thru the metal.
if I get it fixed, I would want it fixed "right" by replacing the rear quarter panels or doing a cut and replace....but I'm having a hard time finding someone that is willing to do a cut and replace...
if I get it fixed, I would want it fixed "right" by replacing the rear quarter panels or doing a cut and replace....but I'm having a hard time finding someone that is willing to do a cut and replace...
Everyone I talked to wanted to replace the whole panel for like $1500 ~ $2000 a side. I would think I could get it fixed for cheaper then that.
Then you have to worry about matching the pearl paint too...It's already been repainted once on the passenger side and it doesn't quite match.
Then you have to worry about matching the pearl paint too...It's already been repainted once on the passenger side and it doesn't quite match.
I had my 77 Lincoln done at a vo-tech school. It took them several months but they got it done. I just priced out parts for all the work that needs done, it was just over $700 in parts, so I'm going to go ahead and order those. Shouldn't be too much to put in.
Then maybe once the car doesn't ride and sound like crap (cats got gutted against my will) I can find a good shop to finally fix the rust. Anyone got some good donor doors?
Then maybe once the car doesn't ride and sound like crap (cats got gutted against my will) I can find a good shop to finally fix the rust. Anyone got some good donor doors?