Mercury Cougar (1971–3)

Mercury Cougar. 1971–3 (prod. 177,194). 2-door coupé, 2-door convertible. F/R, 351, 429 in³ (V8 OHV). Slightly bigger than the 1967–70 original (wheelbase up an inch, to 112·1 in), with four exposed headlights at front, and a “flying buttress” fastback at rear. Essentially a twin to the Ford Mustang (1971–3), but with different sheetmetal. No concession to economy, with V8s only, though 429 dropped for 1972, but hardly a performance car: Cougar was plusher than Mustang and was more a cruiser. Last of the Cougar convertibles with this generation.

Manufacturing location: Dearborn, Michigan, USA

Marque: Mercury | Model: Mercury Cougar | Predecessor: Mercury Cougar (1969–70) | Successor: Mercury Cougar (1974–6)