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| 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7: Background & History |
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Growing up, I was never interested in cars. Sure, as a kid I played with assorted Hot Wheels, but once I reached driving age I was not picky when it became my turn behind the wheel. For Christmas one year my father gave me the pink slip to his 1971 Datsun 260-Z, silver with black interior. I did order few parts catalogs, but never did buy anything. Through high school, I never enrolled in an automotive shop class. Honestly, I never made it to "that side" of school. I guess to be honest, I never saw a need for it. After selling the "Z" for about $2000, I inherited a late 80s, used Chevy Blazer, which I ended up driving to college in Utah. That SUV had a series of unfortunate problems, including water that had leaked into the differential case. That was a costly fix! I drove this SUV for a few years, including when I began work at BMW as a lot attendant. This is where I started to expand my automotive horizons. The other guys I worked with first turned me on to what sort of car I wanted to buy and restore. The Volkswagen Bug. Two of the guys owned great looking cars and were involved in loca car clubs. While lot attendant wages paid the bills, it never did afford me the luxury of buying a VW. I did pick up a "idiot guide" [yes that is what it was called] and surrounded myself with all things VW. For three years running, we made the trek to Firestone Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona for the VW Drags. After a few years, I sold the Blazer through the dealership and purchased a new 1995 GMC Sonoma. I was still without much interest in restoring cars, after my fling with VWs ended. A buddy in Los Angeles I knew had a restored Oldsmobile and his brother was into the Ranchero. It was not until October 2003 that an opportunity presented itself for me to own a 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7. The only familiarity I had with this "classic" was a guy I played college soccer with who owned a bright yellow, '68 Cougar XR-7. I still remember it to this day, it was a great looking car. Through a friend, I heard of a guy in Santa Rosa, California who been given an ultimatium by the local police, "move the car or it will be towed." Again, I had little interest in these sort of cars, but the deal was right. Free! Yup, I paid the necessary DMV fees and took ownership of the car. Jason was techincally the second owner, the first being his grandmother who bought the car new back in 1968 from Larry Brink Motors, Mill Valley, California. I committed to buy the vehicle and made the drive to Santa Rosa. The Cougar had been sitting for some time, exposed to the elements, but I was assured it would start and it was "driveable." After a type to the local DMV, we signed the necessary papers and I took ownership of my first "project" car. Little did I know what I would be getting myself into. The drive back south to Concord, was uneventful. I am sure I drove home with the biggest smile on my face, a proud new owner. |
