1967 Cougar

The 1967 Cougar was based on that year's new second-generation Mustang but with a 3 inch (76 mm) longer wheelbase and new sheet metal. A full-width divided grille with hidden headlamps and vertical bars defined the front fascia?it was sometimes called the electric shaver grille. At the rear a similar treatment saw the license plate surrounded on both sides with vertically slatted grillework concealing sequential taillights a styling touch taken from the Thunderbird. A deliberate effort was made to give the car a more "European" flavor than the Mustang at least to American buyers' eyes. Aside from the base model and the luxurious XR-7 one trim packages were available for both models: the sporting GT. The XR-7 model brought a wood-grained steering wheel a simulated wood-grained dashboard with a full set of black-faced competition instruments and toggle switches an overhead console a T-type center automatic transmission shifter and leather or vinyl seats. The GT package meanwhile supplied a much larger engine Ford's 390 in? (6.4 L) FE-series big block to replace the small-block 289 in? (4.7 L) standard powerplant. Along with this came an upgraded suspension to handle the extra weight of the big engine and give better handling more powerful brakes better tires and a low-restriction exhaust system. The Cougar was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1967. The Cougar continued to be a Mustang twin for seven years and could be optioned as a genuine muscle car. Nevertheless it gradually tended to shift away from performance and toward luxury evolving into something new in the market?a plush pony car. The signs were becoming clear as early as 1970 when a special edition styled by fashion designer Pauline Trigere appeared complete with a hound's-tooth pattern vinyl roof. A reskinning in 1971 saw the hidden headlights vanish for good although hidden wipers were adopted. Between 1969 and 1973 Cougar convertibles were offered.