You've finally done it. Against your wife's better judgment, you bought a Cougar. But because of other commitments, priorities or lack of a place to start your restoration project, you have to store your Cougar until you get around to it.

If "round to its" are in your family like they are in mine, they are few and far between. Then, when you finally get a "round to it," there are squeakier wheels than your Cougar that need attention. So sometimes the Cougar gets to be stored for longer than you had hoped. The question becomes: How are you going to store the Cougar so that it's still restorable when you finally find that elusive "round to it" with your cat's name on it?

Let's consider what elements you have to fight against to store or, in some cases, to embalm your cat. There are three main elements to contend with: sun, water and creatures that also like your Cougar. We'll consider how to protect your car from each of these, starting when you first purchase your Cougar. But before you go further, kill any wasp nests that might be lurking in hidden corners before driving or towing that car.

Safety first. The first thing we all want to do when we get our Cougar home, if it's running, is to take it for a spin around the block to see what it will do. Don't do it! It must be able to stop on command. I know-I've cleaned out a ditch before. Besides, it is real hard on the park gear when that's all that keeps you from buying your neighbor's new car. Also, the law just loves to see a Cougar going down the road with no tag or inspection sticker. So, what do you do after resisting the temptation for a spin around the block? With most of my Cougars, it isn't a problem, as they usually have no motor and are dragged home on a trailer.

Thus, comes the first step: clean it! Here's where all those quarters in your wife's Mason jar come in handy. I like to stop by a quarter car wash on the way home from the buy and clean every surface of my car with high pressure soap-outside, underside, under the hood, sometimes even the door panels. Don't forget the door jams and trunk jams. Now with 30 years of grime off the car, you can admire what you have.

Once home, the best place for your Cougar is in a climate-controlled garage. Lacking that, then outside on gravel would be the next choice, as ground moisture is one of your enemies. Put the car up on cinderblocks at least two blocks tall (16 inches), with the holes up for greater strength.

Place the blocks under the frame rails; this will take the car's weight off its springs. This might be a good time to oil or grease the shocks' chrome shafts to prevent rust. Also, grease all the lug nuts and suspension parts that you might later need to disassemble. Finally, place plastic under the car, to keep weeds from growing around it.

Now I realize that the best gravel is right outside your front door and we, as Cougar enthusiasts, believe Cougars make the best yard ornaments. But please keep your marriage intact and the neighbors happy and use the back yard. There might also be a local ordinance about "dead cars," so check this out before you get a fine.

Next, the motor. Treat it as if you drive it daily. Keep oil, antifreeze and gas clean and full. If the car can be put in running condition easily, do so. Tune it to run the best, and it will. Make sure all the hoses and lines, intake and exhaust openings of any kind are sealed. This is to keep mice, mud daubers and other creatures at bay. Now, remove all the spark plugs and squirt in a few shots of "Marvel Mystery Oil" to keep the rings loose. Rotate the motor a few revolutions and re-install the spark plugs. Next, remove the battery and clean its tray with baking soda and water. Clean battery cable ends and apply grease to prevent corrosion.

Now, let's work on the fuel system. Disconnect the fuel line at the fuel pump, remove the gas cap and blow air back through the fuel line to clear any crud out of the line. Re-install the fuel line and fill the tank with good gas to reduce condensation in the tank. Add fuel stabilizer and put the gas cap back on. Every few months, start the car or turn over the motor a few turns to keep everything lubricated.

Next, the interior. Here again, if the interior's in good condition, inside is the best place to keep it. If that's not possible, protect it by making cardboard sunshields for the windows. Clean the inside thoroughly and note the condition of everything for future use. Here, rodents can be a real problem. Use plenty of mouse traps. I have found from experience that rat poison works, but the victims crawl into inaccessible areas and die, which is much worse than the first problem. If the carpet will not be reused, take it out. If you can store the interior inside, be sure to lay parts down on something the shape of the part so they will still be straight when installing them. This includes seats and console. Don't forget to bag and label all attaching hardware.

Now, the body. Because rust is the biggest problem, try to prevent the problem or, at least, put it into remission. Treat all exposed metal and rust with paint. It doesn't have to be pretty; just effective (use a brush, or whatever). It's a lot easier to remove paint than rust. Never leave primed metal exposed because primer is porous and will allow the underlying metal to rust. Never cover your car with plastic; it only holds moisture against the car. Remove any leaves and debris from cowl vents, doors, fenders, quarters. If the cowl vents are not rusted and leaking, they will be after sitting outside in the weather and filling up with leaves for a few years. Either buy or make a cover to keep the leaves and water out. If the carpet is wet or rotten, take it out. If water is getting inside the car, you might want to take out the floor plugs, too. Now, get out your gallon jug of used or new motor oil. Oil liberally all hinges and latches. Pour oil in the bottom of the fenders, doors, quarter panels and even the floor, if the carpet is out.

Also, take an oil can and squirt some in the leading edge of the hood, trunk and anywhere else that's likely to rust-battery tray, frame rails, torque boxes, etc. This will prevent rust from starting and spreading until you get a "round to it" for restoring your Cougar. Re-apply oil once a year, or as needed.

If you choose to put a car cover on, make sure it will "breathe" so it will not hold in moisture. One additional note: If you store parts outside and they are in contact with the ground, you might as well throw them away now. In a year they will be rusted beyond use. Never allow any part of the car to remain in contact without the ground.

Your Cougar is now well-embalmed for later restoration. Make your list of parts to get now while it is fresh in your memory.

Next time I will discuss junk yards, parts cars and car show flea markets. 'Til then, happy Cougaring!