A ONE OF A KIND COUG!!

While in the market for a late-model Cougar, I happened upon the 1973 XR/7 that had been owned by Edsel B. Ford II. The XR7 is very well optioned with just about every available option for 1973. A 351-4V with C-6 automatic and standard non-locking axle. To lighten the load while on the road, power steering and power disc brakes. In the area of creature comforts, the cat shows it's teeth. Tilt steering convenience group, power seat, console, AM-FM stereo radio and power windows make the interior liveable. To help control the elements, Mr. Ford's Cougar was equipped with air conditioning, tinted glass, electric defroster and interval selector windshield wipers. When conditions are right, a power-operated sun roof lets the outside inside. The addition of protective body side mouldings, appearance protection group, left-hand remote control mirror, bumper protection group and a heavy duty battery rounded out the options on the cat.

The story only starts with the production options. The changes which were made after the Cougar was built make it a truly unique car. The interior received extensive modification. The seats were retrimmed after the bolster area foam was built up. Tan leather-with black corduroy inserts were used for seating surfaces. The door panels and rear quarters were covered in black leather. The headliner was also reworked using black leather. The standard carpet was removed and replaced with molded deep-cut pile black Mark IV carpeting. The production seat belts were replaced with 3 inch wide competition lap belts. The AM-FM two-speaker radio was replaced by a four-speaker type with two additional speakers added to the rear package tray. The production steering wheel was replaced by a 14-inch diameter, "Grand Prix" steering wheel with black leather rim.

The exterior of this car was painted black with a black full vinyl roof. The roof was accented with Cobra emblems on the sail panels. The body line of the Cougar was highlighted by a silver accent stripe. A Mark IV power antennae was added to the left rear fender. The addition of minilite racing wheels and rectangular fog lamps completed the exterior of Mr. Ford's Cougar. The installation of Koni shocks helped in the handling department. The trunk was not to be forgotten. It was completely carpeted, and received a spare tire cover. All this was done in deep cut pile black carpeting.

When I obtained this special cat, some of the original items had been removed by the previous owner, The Koni shocks and minilite wheels were replaced. The power antennae needed to be rebuilt to be operational.

With only 39,000 miles, the cat drives very well. The interior is in excellent condition, which is a tribute to the quality of workmanship and the quality of materials used in the modifications. The cost of the modifications, when they were performed, was in excess of $5,000. This is on top of the cost of the car. Using the 1973 armchair estimator, the sticker was slightly over $5,000.

Owning the XR/7, I have had the opportunity to hear various stories relating to this special cat. One story is that the body was pulled from the line just before painting. One of the vendors that supplied paint to Ford hand-carried the black paint for the Cougar into the plant. The XR/7 was then painted by hand (without the aid of any automated equipment). Another story I've been told concerns sound deadening. While at American Sunroof Co. for the addition of the leather trim, the interior was striped. With the interior trim removed, more sound deadener was added. This being in addition to what was installed during assembly in the plant. Today with the windows buttoned up, it is still a very quiet car.

Operating a one-of-a-kind car presents some special problems, two of which are: people looking it over whenever it is parked, and being asked, "Do you want to sell your Cougar?" Of all the cars that I have owned, none has come close to the comments that this cat has generated.

Jerry Ostalecki # 1417