This Cougar XR7 Coupe with a Cobra Jet V8 and 4-Speed was as Hot as it Got for Mercury in 1973
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
- 00:00 Start
00:05 Night Drive
00:26 Startup and Headlights
01:08 Startup and Taillights
01:50 Intro - Weather, Fog, Animals, Loaded with Cars
04:45 Start of Review - Overview
11:20 1973 in Review
15:18 Review Continues - Exterior
20:29 Back End and Trunk
22:26 Underhood, Tranny, Mechanicals
27:02 Interior
31:20 Startup and Test Drive
38:17 Highway Drive
1973 wasn't quite the end of large and powerful cars, but the end was nigh. Emissions laws, safety laws, and gas prices were all conspiring to usher out the no-holds-barred horsepower wars of years past, and usher in a new era of federal regulations, lower power ratings, and decreased emissions. Ready or not, the car world was changing.
That's why this 1973 Cougar XR7 is as hot as it got for Mercury - the 429 Cobra Jet was no more, and people were looking for cars that sipped gas rather than gulped it down. This is probably why so few of these cars were ordered with the Cobra Jet engine - and because performance was beginning to take a back seat to luxury, the 4-speed option was even more rare than the hot engine. Gone was street racing, and in was disco.
This is a review of a 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 Hardtop with the 351 C CJ engine and 4-speed manual gearbox a setup rare enough to account for only about 250 out of 60,000 Cougars made that year. Nifty stuff.
Review and test drive by Bill. Vehicle will be for sale at Autohaus of Naples, on the web at www.AutohausNaples.com,. or by phone at (239) 263-8500. - Авто та транспорт
Bill you have a God given gift of knowledge, humor, and just fun. Know that you are bringing a relief to thousands who get to escape for 35 to 50 minutes.
Agree.
Absolutely agree! I’d turned off the tee vee about four years ago. I would much rather watch curious cars than ANY of the so called entertainment on network tee vee.
He really does. I learn more from Bill about cars than I ever have. And I grew up with old school real cars. I hate these plastic and aluminum ass cars these days.
It's almost like sitting back in a lawn chair with a couple of ol gearheads at night reminiscing about cars of days gone by...you just can't act that out. Bill has heart and soul invested and is as genuine as they become
Bill,
What I love about you and your videos is you throw in history, which if anyone knows is great for me and the knowledge of 1970's..Well, whatever you presenting at the time is just great for me. I take the time and listen to your videos. Thank you for your time. I appreciate you.
Bill... driving a manual transmission car while holding a camera... AND using the signal lights when changing lanes. Epic.
i believe he mighta been taking some corona whiskey with the other hand
@@garywalters3007 As a truck driver this is a daily occurrence while having lunch too lol keep that diesel trucking
Well minus the whiskey that is
The man is certainly a multi tasker ! 😄
Lucky he doesn't have a manual choke to operate also.
My first car was a 1972 Cougar and I loved it . The only downside was I always wanted a XR7 . This one is a total dream car.
Make a bid for it. It is sweet!
I almost bought a 67 Cougar with a 427, 4 speed
You can still get it!
Bill that is the sweetest sounding car you’ve had on in a while!!!
Sounds straight piped. Insane
There is nothing...nothing!...more enjoyable than cruising down the road, behind an American V8 engine, with a stick transmission...I would likely never listen to the radio/tape deck...the engine would be singing to me!...and the overall styling of that Cougar is just awesome.
Love Bill's sarcastic humor, and his ranting of Florida weather. He has a unique niche in car reviews.
Very entertaining and educational.
Maybe he should put snacks and a sleeping bag and some water to drink in the truck in case of being stranded ! With the temp drop you cant be too careful!
Lmfao “our country would have to be insane to not build a pipe line”! Bill your funny as hell man keep it up, I could watch your clips forever brother keep them comein please and thank you
The sound of an "old school" American V-8, with a 4-speed, will never get old! This sound is why Dodge can still sell Chargers and Challengers on a design which dates back to the early 2000's! Thanks for the video.
HEY! DON'T GO DISRESPECTING ROLLER-SKATING BECAUSE THE HEALTHY SPORT FADED BACK INTO POPULARITY AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT THE IDIOT HIPPIES FADED OUT AND DISCO, * WHICH CAME FROM EUROPE), - AND, incidentally, this 1973 Cougar, which looks better than ALL the mustangs before it!
I’ve watched the last few minutes of this video about ten times now. I just can’t get enough of how gorgeous that Cobra Jet sounds, as you row through the gears. Thank you Bill, for brightening my day.
Such a shame they had been severely smogged down to 245 BHP, by that point.
Very rare cat, even the early hot ones were rare with a 4 speed....Kudos Bill!!
They offered a 428 package for the earlier Cougars.
@@hankwilliams2761 Low compression
We really love you Bill. Especially with the history knowledge of the vehicle.
I don't even have to watch one of Bill's videos to automatically give it a like! Bill NEVER fails at making me laugh and providing me with fantastic knowledge about cars I would have never gave a second look at. Thank you Bill!! OHH, Greets from a "Chipper" Canadian 🤣🤣
yes, he sure is delicious. i am one of the cats who is good friends with the goats and birds. i would know.
lp l
@@aj-ww8zr thank you please make some videos of your car
He hasn't got a fking clue!!!
A manual and a tach in a big old Cougar. Sweet!
All XR7 Cougars have a Tach. 4speed is rare though!
I was basing that on a friend's later '79 XR7 he got new in high school, which didn't have one. I used to send off to Ford back in late 70s for books which listed all the specs and options of each model. XR7s came with an electric clock, but a performance gauge package was a $105 option, but it incl a tach, volt, and oil pressure gauge. I only have '77, '78 and '79.
I'm typically a Buick guy, but I gotta say that if I had to choose between this one and a Wildcat, LeSabre or Riviera it would've been a tough choice to make. The Cougars are undeniably impressive!
It’s a beautiful car. I just wish someone would take off that ugly malaise-era bumper and put on one of the subtler earlier one.
Nah, the Riv' is still a better/nicer car.
Imagine how much better that car would have looked if Mercury had left the headlights hidden like the 1st gen Cougar.
My thought exactly!
Good point I've often thought that the later Cougars from 71 to 73 would look great with concealed headlamps.
Yup
You can get after market hidden headlight kits for less than $400
I miss my 1970
If I ever win the lottery, I would go out and find a first-gen Cougar to restomod. They have a very classy look that makes them stand out amongst pony cars. The second-gen Cougar (along with its stablemate, the Mustang) suffered from some bloat but it still looks sharp. The trend towards making the Cougar a personal luxury car like the Thunderbird was in motion and would be realized from the third generation onward. The 351 Cleveland CJ was the last "hot" engine Ford offered before the Malaise Era firmly took hold.
And me Robert. All the Cookie cutters would go and buy Tesla trucks and Lamborghinis etc. me , you where we’d go and buy something like this. As a kid I always loved and still do these old aggressive looking American V8s with that V8 grunt and bubble sound m, just beautiful. And I’m not even American. Yes our roads in the U.K not not built for some of our 200/300 year old horse & cart tracks for the big American muscle cars, but to Hell with it, I’d still buy one. No fancy computer chip controlled economy systems, and computer controlled breaking blah blah blah. Just give me a old mean machine like this any day👍🏼
True.
Thank you for the oil pipeline commentary, Bill. I'm pickin" up what you're layin' down. You are absolutely correct
Bill, you have no idea how much I look forward and patiently wait for these videos! Please don't change a thing, you have this all dialed in to perfection! Next shot of the Corona whiskey is on me sir 👍
Love your intros. You have a lot of wit and I get some laughs when you open your monolog at the beginning of each show. I love to see these cars and enjoy listening to your description and history of each car. God Bless sir!!
Greetings from Ireland Bill! The reverse to check on the deflated christmas bear cracked me up 🤣🤣
Not really a Mercury fan, but when you started her up, I clicked the, 'Like', button before you even said a word.
BTW, in Wisconsin today, they're forecasting a foot of snow.
I love Bill's history lessons 😂
"...that prick Richard Dreyfuss" 😅😂🤣 OMG BILL !! You my friend are a Natural National Treasure! You have no idea how entertaining it must be to just be around you. I nominate BILL for the Late Night Show we all deserve! ✌
_Bill'S NighT OuT_ ™
If I can ever afford a car like this I'm buying it from this guy. Just to listen to him selling it to me. Love this channel.
What a joy this gorgeous Sith Lady of a Cougar Chickie is, Bill. Truly, man. Badass in black for sure. I would be behind the wheel in a black leather jacket and a huge grin every time I rowed through her gears. Thanks for highlighting this wonderful piece of Americana, brother. :) JV Johnny
This is truly a rare bird! Sounds sweet as hell and the top loader is just icing on the cake! Another home run, Bill!
That's one rare "cat", LOL!
You mean cat
What a sweet ride! love those wheels. My parents had one of these back in the day.
34:12 . . . Definitely the unique sound of a manual transmission in reverse, with a bit of speed.... for Bill's epic video comment: "There's nothing sadder than a deflated air ornament." LOL
Though they aren't as good looking as the first generation, I thought these Cougars were pretty cool in their own right. Love your videos. Take care and keep up the great work. Happy Holidays from Norman, OK.
True, the first ones were better looking, but this one in all black with the four speed makes me like it better . . . Happy Holidays from Toronto!
Ahh Norman, OK: Home of the Severe Storm Research Laboratory. I’ve been there to visit.
Just discovered your channel Bill. How as a car guy did I miss this for so long.
I am addicted to your way of delivering history and car facts associated with the cars the year they were sold along with commentary on past and present political and social trends.
Thank you for sharing this car! It seems almost like a unicorn. When this generation came out I thought they were a sad departure from prior years. I had major desire for the 1970 XR7. But being 14 years old that would be dreaming!
This has aged well. Your description of sinister look is spot on. Very cool ride. Many thanks for the look!
You know it’s going to be a great late afternoon early evening when there’s a video from Bill,
Made my day,
This man needs his own national Sunday morning show.
Love this car. My family and i watch every episode you make. Dont ever stop! Id pay to watch ya do live stand up as your commentary is hilarious and usually in point! Whiskey fueled with 2 doobies .45 style lol AAAYYYEEE! Much respect Bill
Great weather report, amazing machine! Does look amazing in black. Like your stance on manual drive. Thanks Bill 😇
Bill ... discovered you a few weeks ago... and cant get enough of your show casing all these wonderful automobiles.. Your sense of humor as you narrate I enjoy so much... To know you personally would be a hoot... Thank you Bill..I am hooked on ya.
I had a 1971 XR7, which may be even rarer than tour car. It was the first car that I specked out and ordered. It had a 351 Cleveland and 4 speed manual. like this car but mine had nearly all of the options including A/C, power steering and front disc brakes, power windows, power seat, AM/FM stereo radio, and the "Competition Suspension" package. The car was a medium brown metallic with natural brown leather interior and matching 3/4 vinyl top.
The Competition Suspension package consisted of stiffer springs, shocks, and sway bars. An unusual feature of this package was that on cars (including Mustangs) so equipped came with a GM variable rate power steering rather than the regular Ford unit.
This was the last year for the high compression on Ford engines, as car manufactures reducing compression ratios to better accommodate the low octane gas that was coming.
I drove the car for 8 years and 92,000 before trading it in, in 1979. The car was still in great shape but I was worried that I would not be able to to get premium octane gas for the 11 to 1 compression the of 351 Cleveland engine. I wish I could have kept it.
Love the 71-73 Cougars. One of the sexiest muscle cars ever. Even the safety bumper looks the best on these. And they did nail the rear styling as well. Awesome and unique.
That's a great looking Cat!! Even better with the hot Cleveland and 4 speed! I'm sure Lou Costabile would love to feature a car like this in his "My Car Story" videos.
I really appreciate your historical reviews before the car review. Your brutal honesty 😂 is refreshing. Please keep it up!
Love your videos. That was a great car. Love the growl. You drove a car like that made you in tune with driving.
Now that's a cool car!! It's sounds like an old Chris Craft. Love it
I can't tell you how much I love your videos. I hope you do them forever! Merry Christmas!
I really like your new video-timemarker-style and startup-clips. Really cool! Keep it up, your videos are awesome!
I'm looking at this car and I can smell the new car smell from back in 1973.
Very clear memories.
I can also smell the Ziebart undercoating on the car. That was the smell of success back then.
1:10 now that’s the sound of a real car door!!!
Cool car Bill sir!!! Great info as always and also good weather griping to start us off!!!
Bill, i enjoy your videos. This brings back memories. I had a 1971 XR7 Cougar. My was a automatic and was fun. Girls, beers, and......, don't want to give out too much TMI, BUT IT WAS FUN TO OWN ONE!
I'm watching from England and I love seeing these old American cars that have what new cars don't character keep up the great work love it
Love the video and love the series! So much fun for an old guy who remembers these XR7s very well. Keep up the great work and merry Christmas and all the best in 2022!
I've been looking forward to this since getting the notification! Sweet Cougar...and a factory 4 speed to boot! Doesn't get much better.
The 351C is not a big block, nor a small block. It's a 335 series block, which is based on the 400 that came out in 1970 to replace the old FE blocks from the 50s and 60s. The 351 Cleveland engines were arguably the best of the 335 series engines. Great presentation Bill!
Bill, 73 is the year I was born, so I particularly appreciate the year in review for this one! Perhaps I'm the last of the non malaise as well. Thank you!
Gorgeous car. That car was my childhood. My dad had the same car in gold with a brown side landau roof. Not entirely sure if it was a ‘72 or ‘73.
How did you forget the sequential taillights?!? That was model distinct! Thank you for putting it in reverse. I distinctly remember that sound. The motor and muffler sound familiar too. It’s a shame about the steering wheel not being original. My dad’s had the wheel where the horn was operational from the centre and squeezing the wheel with a rubber like mechanism surrounding. I’ve never seen that feature in any other car.
Oh, and your Canadians will not be happy in that backseat. I remember it being cramped for me and my sister as children lol.
Bill I am amazed at your media research .all the vintage advertising you dug up was awesome. That Cougar was a tremendous find.
This Cougar is one of the nicest I’ve ever seen from this era. Plus it’s a 4 speed car.👍🏻
Congratulations! I discovered your channel last month, already watched 20+ videos about cars that I really like. Thiis is so well done and interesting. Also appreciate your sense of humor, your no-nonsense comments, your views about life, …
Never stop doing this Bill……can’t help but crack a smile listening to you 🤣👍🏻
Who's with me here...a set of 15" Magnum 500 wheels w/a fat set of blackwalls🔥🔥🔥
Awesome one Bill! Beautiful car! I remember the Cougar (later generation) was very close to the Montego. In fact, I believe the 1977 Cougar actually replaced the Montego. I drove my dad's 1975 Mercury Montego MX wagon when I was in high school and it looked almost exactly like the cougar. It had the standard 351C 2V motor with 150hp. The car was nearly 20' long but I really enjoyed driving it... we used to call it the "boat"
You're the Indiana Jones of antique cars. You always have the best stuff and you do a great job on the videos.
I appreciate the hell out of the cars you find to review. Your channel has grown on me. Keep em coming!
You are awesome Bill. I grew up driving these cars and I love the reviews you do. Keep up the good work brother.
A beautiful car, with a great video review once again by Bill. Keep them coming! Cheers from Canada.
This video was done with great care, and it is one of his very best!
.... I own a 1972 XR7 Cobra Jet car with 4 speed .... in process of restoring it ....1 of 156 made ...love it because it is different !!
So, so good. The car, the history, the cats and other wildlife, relentless ribbing of the Canadians.....just the best. Keep up the great work. Hope you get some relief from the humidity. Maybe better than the cold up here in Buffalo?
Thoroughly enjoyed this review. I have a first gen Cougar and I love it. The second gen is great, too, as you described. Extremely rare to find one with any manual transmission. Being shiftless, my Cougar is an automatic.
You should upload some videos of your Cougar!
Awesome job on this one Bill. Love how you captured the growl right at the opening of video to foreshadow the test drive -superior car porn!!!
I bought a 73 Pontiac Grand Prix, but almost bought this Cougar XR7, they were both the hottest coups on the market back then, this is really a nice looking car, and it holds up even today
Jesus,you provided a wealth of info and some great humor. The manual makes this a killer car .
Man I love your videos keep em coming 👍
351C up front, I was wondering why it sounded like the Mad Max Interceptor idling, before he took off after the Night Rider😁🚀
I appreciate the elongated drives at the end. The video makes me feel I am " the man " in the cockpit of the thing.
Your ability to weave the historical backdrop of the times into a car video is astounding. Nicely done! Oh yeah, I love the car, too. Thanks so much.
Hey Bill, sorry about the humidity, I recommend an extra dose of coronavirus whiskey!!! When you showed the taillights you should have put on the turn signals to show off the sequencial signals!!! I had a 71 Cougar XR7 & loved it!!! 👍👍😷
This car looks badass, I have to say. And God bless Bill!
My Friday is now complete and has significant non-hum drum meaning!
Bill…Bill…Bill! Whooohooo🙌
Canadians are here for winter in Arizona. Sweet car. Dont tell anyone, but I like Abba.
Thanks for another cool car and entertaining video. As a kid I loved these Cougars. I bought a few 1:25 scale model kits and built them. I liked the sail panels that outlined the rear glass. Similar to 68-70 Chargers.
That's right Jake , I had a 71 Cougar, it reminded me of those Chargers.
1973 was the last good year America had. After October 73, we had the energy shortage and in 74, the 55 mph speed limit It has been a bumpy 48 year ride downhill.
Welcome to the senior citizen's auto commentary!...I suspect you, like me, were around to experience that awful decline that took place in the 1970s...I stubbornly drove several late 60s and early 70s Detroit iron, but by the late 80s I had to give up, and buy an Asian product!..The only thing I appreciate about the newer cars--is FWD, which is superior in traction to the RWD dinosaurs that I used to drive..no need for chains, if you encounter snow.
@@curbozerboomer1773 I am early Gen X with GI and Silent parents. From a very early age, I was hooked on cars. Because of that I was acutely aware. My dad was stopped in late 74 for doing 72 in a 55 on a road that was posted 65 a year earlier. It affected me to the point that I had to try and get rid of an unjust law. I became very aware at a very young age that things weren't right. It took me longer to hate emissions and safety laws that have ruined cars.
Early 70s V8 with a 4 speed. Absolute mechanical music. Had a buddy with a 70 Formula 400 4 speed. Oh the memories 🥲🇺🇸
Holy crap Bill. You’re sarcasm (?) reached a new zenith: it was Bobby Riggs - a guy - who LOST to Billy Jean King in ‘73...and graciously too. For the love of God...you had that totally messed up (deliberately?)...
Best moment: the cat staring you down as you cruised out the driveway.
Actually, the best moment was throwing the XR7 into reverse to see the sad deflated air ornament. But seriously, except for the wheels, steering wheel, turbo exhaust & the missing spare, this vehicle is beautiful (I like them as stock as possible). The swooped rear deck is special. And that full gauge dash & center console was a nice touch. Liked the buttery gear box too.
The pipeline comment and sigh did not go unnoticed! Take care Bill.
The 351 Cleveland was most definitely a small block. You could even take the Cleveland heads and with some work put them on a Windsor block and make a 351 "Cleavor". The is it a small block or big block debate comes in with the 351m (modified) series that followed, where Ford produced a 351 and 400 with the 351 Cleveland heads, but then made the 351m by deboring the 400, so it had the tall block of the 400 but the displacement of the small block.
The 351M was made from the 400 by changing the stroke from 4.00 inches to 3.5 inches. The bore remained the same at 4.00 inches. You can put a 400 crank into any 351M and you have a 400. I have had both a 400 and a 351M, with a 10.3 inch deck height they "look" like big blocks.
Agreed 100 percent 👍👍👍👍👍👍
1st car owned was a '70 XR7 convertible. 351 Cleveland. Automatic. Yellow on white leather. Same model as that James Bond movie shown. Exuded muscle car swagger and I loved it at 21. Buddy had a '73 too. You forgot to mention the cool sequential tail lights all Cougars had up to this point. Good review.
➠ 🟥 🟥 🟥◻️ ◻️🟥 🟥 🟥
DAYUM! I was only 3 but wow that looks hot!! I grew up in the Midwest and by the time I was old enough to care, cars like this were rusted and dented hulks spewing blue smoke everywhere. These were beaters when I was lusting after Supras and 300ZXs. If the bloody things had looked this good I would have noticed!!
Love the Sand Shovel (or Sugar Scoop) rear window, the 351 Cobra Jet, and the 4 Speed. The wheels make the car 100%, henceforth known by/as "The Sign Of The Cat....GGGGGRRROOOWWWOOOWWLLLLLL !!!!! Thanks for bringing this one around, not something you will see more than once or twice in a life time with todays world as it is. And 1973 was a super year, the year my wife was born..
The wider stance from the aftermarket wheels really adds to the looks
Love that sound 💪
On streets crawling with SUVs this is the ultimate eye-catcher.
All the best to you from Germany
Georg
I literally watch one of Bills’s videos every morning with my coffee. Great way to start the day. I’m flying through Miami Saturday…wish I had time to come over and see your cars and meet you !!
Clicked on this because of the title. Then I saw it's from Bill of Autohaus of Naples. Even better!
Bill clearing his throat at the right time...LETS GO BRANDON😇
F DJT
@@stephendavidbailey2743 you know what dude, I'm not a fan of his either. One person spoke TOO much while the current one CAN'T even string together a sentence....see where I'm going here🤔🙄
For an American car, it looks great. I really like its old school style. Kinda muscular but not OTT. Love the Greta killer front bumper too.
Thank you for these videos!. I've learned so much about cars i would have never taken a second look at!. Thank you my friend!.
Special Cougar! Always enjoy your car reviews!
Net is still at the flywheel, just with the engine in more of an “in car” representation with accessories included
Exactly right Jason. Manufacturers horsepower ratings were all over the board, in comparison to reality of the engine installed in the car, before ‘72. The SAE standardized how the horsepower was calculated and rated.
@@cadillacguy1890 what was the official H.P on Tuesday cars? Because I’ve heard conflicting answers? Some say it produces more than the manufacturers say, some say it’s less???
@@matty6848 Tuesday cars?
Billie Jean King was the female she played Bobby Rigg.
Didn’t she win against him as well?
Pretty sure he knew that quite well. 😂
Bill great car to show just a beautiful example of a classic ride! The wheels really help make the look. Keep up the great work thanks for showing us all these classics.
Just discovered your videos recently and I've been binge watching them. Fantastic stuff all around, thanks so much.
I have a 1st Gen 67 Cougar. Its a numbers matching “S” code, 390GT.
Factory HP rating was 320 and 400 feet Torque.
It now has 420HP and 550 Feet of Torque with a 6 speed manual.
1st two years are by far, the best looking, and most sought after.
Looking at this generation Cougar makes me think the car was designed with hideaway headlights. But im betting the bean counters complained it was to expensive for a model selling less models each year. You can clearly see it from the shape of the surround.
I bet this would’ve also looked pretty cool if it had a fastback option.
Fords never called their engines Big, or Small Blocks. That was a GM term. They were labeled as the 385 series, Windsor, and Cleveland designations.
Is it still an FE?
@@mikekokomomike 390GT = 390 FE. I wasn't commenting on what he said about big vs small block.
The 351 Windsor was a truck engine through and through. Good low end torque, nobody home at high rpm. No comparison at all to the Cleveland block 🙂
Had a 74 Cougar with the low compression windsor. terrible mountain car. Found a 351 cleveland out of a mustang. Swapped it out, one drug crazed night :). Amazing the different car, it was then. Dual exhaust on top of engine swap. Loved that car after the change.
Ive had all versions of the 351's,had one 429,and several 400 Modifieds! I have always liked and felt that the 400M seemed to have the most HP and especially felt it was the Torque monster of them all tho! Once I started putting 4bbl carbs on the 400M,It became my favorite Ford Engine ever and still to this day!
Bill, you make me feel better about living in Nova Scotia. Summer humidity in NS seems bad to me but US friends say its not bad at all. No climate is perfect although the mix of snow & rain Jan to March is a downer where I live. You feature the cars of my childhood and for this I thank you. Keep healthy in 2022.
Thank you for being you. Love your approach to everything 🙂