Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED May 25, 2007, 10:00:19 AM My new Light Cadet Blue Metallic Clearcoat 1984 Cougar GS with the 3.8 V6. :)This is almost 100% identical to my first car. It has nearly all original equipment and paint. To say it's "preserved" is a massive understatement...this car is just unbelievable. The paint is like a mirror. There's no rust. It even smells good inside! And, although I usually never divulge this kind of information, I'll make an exception here......not bad for $500 US, eh? :flip:Now here's where it gets interesting. I've had this car for almost a YEAR. In fact, I had it during last year's Cat Jam. I've told virtually no one about it. A few people (Ric, Karen, Will, Brian, Alex) have seen it in person. A scant few others were told some things about it, but didn't know everything (Claude LOL). The rest of you had virtually no clue that I had it--not even Carm. So...I guess it's pretty easy to keep things quiet from everyone if you try hard enough. There were times that I really wanted to blurt it out but I just had to keep things hush-hush, knowing that one day there'd be a huge payoff. Well, today is that day.My purpose for unveiling it today is three-fold: first, and most obvious, is the anniversary date. The second is the upcoming Fords@Carlisle show (June 1-3). Hopefully this will entice a few people to come out to the show. Yes, I will have TWO cars there this year. It will be the world debut for the '84, and the first appearance of the '86 there in over 3 years. So if I'm making the effort to bring not one but two Cougars, you can do it too. Even if you can't bring your car, that's alright...I hope that I can at least change one person's mind (coughcoughKARLcoughcough) about attending. Don't forget, this is the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Cougar, and we have special parking at Carlisle, so it means a lot if some additional Cat owners show up.The third purpose is to show a massive change of heart, and to hopefully encourage some of our younger owners out there. You know, I've always said, "Make your car YOUR car." And I will never change my position on that. But how many times have we all heard from V6 owners that they "hate this engine" and "want to put a 5.0 under the hood", and so on. That happens a LOT here, on this board, you have to admit. And you have to wonder why...is it peer pressure? I think that may be the case with a lot of people.Well guess what...I've decided that I'm KEEPING the V6 under the hood. There are absolutely no plans for a 5.0 at all. It's not because of nostalgia. It's not because I particularly like the engine. It's not because I can't swing a built V8 right now. It's because that simple gesture represents the fact that you can enjoy your car to your heart's content, and still not have a V8. Would it be nice to have one? Oh sure, no doubt. How many people here dream of V8 power when they own the V6? Lots of them, I'm sure. But that doesn't mean they love their cars any less.And I love this frickin' car. I loved my first one to death. The love never diminished over the years. It's been 15 years since I sold the other one. And when this car fell into my lap, all those old feelings resurfaced, and I NEVER lost that love. See, I love the CAR. I don't CARE what's under the hood. I won't love the car any less with a V6 than with a V8. It's not a perfect car...but it's perfect for ME.So you V6 guys and gals, don't let peer pressure or other people's opinions sway you. Stick to your guns. If you like your V6, if it gets the job done for you, if you're not into performance, if you can't afford a V8...then take heart. At least one of the admins here is in your corner for a long time, and will defend you. If I need to be your example then so be it. It's a show car with the V6...an uncommon combination in this day and age. Yeah, the motor can be a pain sometimes. But if it runs and propels your car then maintain it, keep it in good shape, and use it for what it was intended. I don't want this to turn into a V8-vs-V6 debate. It's just my position with this particular car which I hope will be respected.I'll be posting more pix over the next week or so, plus even more after Carlisle. In the meantime, the site is updated with more info here.And I've also posted a new State of the Cat, with the back story of the car, here.I've been busting my butt getting it back into show quality for about two months now. I hope the week of suspense was worth it. :) Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #1 – May 25, 2007, 10:08:16 AM Congrats on the great find. Looks like you have your work cut out for you working on TWO cars for carlisle now. Good luck! Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #2 – May 25, 2007, 10:11:22 AM Eric, that car is gorgeous. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find it? And for $500!? I remember seeing one on CollectorCarTrader from California a long time ago but don't think it looked anywhere near as nice.My love for these cars as well have me convinced to continue onto Carlisle despite the issues my car has. I have a slight emissions hurdle to jump and if I get by it okay, I'll be there. Can't drive to Carlisle illegally, lol. Also depending on how things go this weekend, my car will be 'different' in some way, to be seen at the show.Despite the rust (yes there's plenty) and despite the iffy running condition, I want to include my car in the celebration. So while it's nowhere near show worthiness such as your new '84, it will be there in all it's glory.Can't wait to see the car in person. Congrats, it's gorgeous.So you're going to give Ric a run for his money eh? Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #3 – May 25, 2007, 10:11:29 AM No doubt it's a sweet Kitty... I like the price as well...I also agree totally with what Eric is saying... There comes a time when nice original examples should be preserved rather than modified... This is defiantly a car that fits the bill... Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #4 – May 25, 2007, 10:29:41 AM I HATE the dashes on those years, but that is definatley a nice Cat. and I agree too, keep it original. I loved the 3.8L in my bird. It ran great was totally reliable, (til it blew a HG) and had quite a bit of pep to it for a 3.8L. If it wasn't for the blown HG's it would still be a 3.8L car. Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #5 – May 25, 2007, 10:41:17 AM That looks great. Nice find. SHOW OFF!!!Yes, I want to go to Carlisle. Yes I want to be at CatJam. Yes, I am broke at my credit card limit to boot. Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #6 – May 25, 2007, 10:45:35 AM Fred, I wish you the best of luck...hopefully you won't have any troubles with the ol' girl. If you do, just show up anyway. We'll have plenty of beer in the ice-laden bathtub for ya. QuoteEric, that car is gorgeous. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find it? And for $500!? I remember seeing one on CollectorCarTrader from California a long time ago but don't think it looked anywhere near as nice.It was never publicly advertised...the dude found my site on a web search, e-mailed me the details, and I called him right away. He said he preferred that it go to an enthusiast...well, no problem there LOL. Price-wise, I think he probably knew that it was a head gasket/cracked head problem and just wanted to get rid of the car. I wasn't arguing! It cost a few grand to get everything back into shape, but still...I'd have paid much more for the car had the problem already been fixed. Either way you shell out money. At least this way I knew things were done the right way. To get the car home we rented a tow dolly from U-Haul, flipped the car backwards, locked the steering wheel, and towed it home that way, on my Mountaineer. Worked out fine (as long as we stayed at around 50-55 mph).I did see that one '84 from Los Angeles on CCT a few months ago...it looked sweet. I was tempted to call LOL. Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #7 – May 25, 2007, 10:54:36 AM I knew about it I'd just forgotten though That thing is pristine! I know I can't keep anything stock, so props to you for being definant in that. Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #8 – May 25, 2007, 10:58:38 AM I knew it! I had it right, I had it right! That car DOES look great Eric, I am envious. I've wanted to start saving original ones for awhile now. Gorgeous, just gorgeous! Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #9 – May 25, 2007, 11:00:21 AM It may be easier to resist dropping a V8 in when you have another car sitting in the garage with a V8 . But congrats on the car man, it puts mine to shame, and for a great price. And it was great that the owner was smart enough to realize he shouldn't sell it to just anyone, and instead did some looking and found someone who would take great care of such a fine specimen. Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #10 – May 25, 2007, 11:33:30 AM QuoteThe rest of you had virtually no clue that I had it--not even CarmI feel so left out. It's because I have a Thunderbird, isn't it? :flip:Very, very nice. Now if only you could have found an old grad outfit and a mullet wig to wear while posing next to it :hick:I don't blame you for wanting to keep it stock. Truth be told I've been feeling a very slight bit of guilt for what I've done to mine. The spirit of the T-Bird (soft, plush ride) has been diminished with the poly bushings and lowered stance. It's a good deal more fun to drive, though. I need a nice stock four-eye (with vent windows) sitting next to it to cancel out that guilt... Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #11 – May 25, 2007, 12:10:44 PM Carm,How about an 84 TC Black over Smoke? :D:DAnd Eric told me like 6 months ago. He bought a few things for it from me, but I was sworn to secrecy so long that my memory loss kicked in :hick: Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #12 – May 25, 2007, 12:35:56 PM Now if someone could find me an 87-88 V6 T-bird in good shape to preserve that would be sweet. I've always wanted one for some reason.Oh wait I'm still kicking myself in the ass for passing on a mint red 88 V6 Bird with 39,000 miles two years ago. It was only $1,200 :punchballs: Kick ass car btw:cougarsmily: Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #13 – May 25, 2007, 01:30:11 PM I dig the reflection of the 'vert in the grille shot. Very smooth.The paint on that car is in fantastic shape. I'll be excited to see it in person. Quote Selected
Eric's 1984 Cougar - UPDATED Reply #14 – May 25, 2007, 01:52:09 PM thats a clean cougar very sweet. Quote Selected
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