1967 Cougar 5.3 LS Swap, Pro Touring style build on a budget

[CarGroves]

Long time lurker of this awesome forum. I picked up a 67 Cougar about 2 months ago. I'm really excited as this was my first car when I was 14. Its really ratty but I got it for $400. I wasn't sure what to do with it. I was going back and forth on if I should scrap it and find another chassis with less rust or build it. I finally decided after going to Cuba, and seeing all the crazy repair jobs and strange cars, that this hobby for me is all about fun. With that being said I picked up a 2003 Suburban last night for $860 that has the 5.3 iron block LS and a 4L60. I then went this morning and grabbed a cheap MIG from Harbor Frieght for all the rust repair I'm doing.

The initial plan is to get it running and driving for the Gambler 500. Then after thats over, keep upgrading it until its a badass pro touring car. I plan to do events in it like Optima and Hot rod Power Tour. I shot some video of the project and will keep the forum updated with pics as well.

Here is the first project update on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LthtFCvovNU


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Lots of rust in the interior, looks like someone left the windows down for a decade.
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Spare Fender I plan to use as patch panels as the curves match several places on the body.
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Grabbed some cheap wheels from the junkyard to roll it around the shop.

Hope you guys like it, I'm excited to get it on the street.

[andrewb70]

Jake,

Good luck with the build. Are those stock Mercury Marquee wheels?

Andrew

[CarGroves]

Jake,

Good luck with the build. Are those stock Mercury Marquee wheels?

Andrew

They are! Good eye. I got them for $40 a piece from the scrap yard. Look like they were made for the car.

[andrewb70]

They are! Good eye. I got them for $40 a piece from the scrap yard. Look like they were made for the car.

I always liked those wheels and I have been looking for a second set of wheels and tires for the Cougar....hmmmm...

Andrew

[HotWheelz]

Excellent car for your project and that's an excellent engine choice as well!

Yes your car is rusty but it looks structurally sound and you can repair it while keeping it in service.

Best Wishes for your project and have fun!

:drive1:

[langleylad]

Good luck on your build !. If I may give you a little advice , it would be to work on it every day. If only for an hour or as much or little time as you can and you'll find that you'll be amazed at how much you can get done .

[CarGroves]

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I've been working on the floorpans

[langleylad]

That looks muuuuuuuch better ! , were you able to keep the seat riser from the old panel ?

[CarGroves]

That looks muuuuuuuch better ! , were you able to keep the seat riser from the old panel ?

I mean, I have them, but they are beyond saving. I'm going to do custom risers to go with whatever seats I find at the junkyard.

[CarGroves]

Scored some nice manual seats from the junkyard and just knocking out all of the interior rust repair.


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[CarGroves]

Floor pans are done!

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[andrewb70]

Nice work!

Andrew

[130fe]

Progress looks great!

[CarGroves]

Ok, I got the video edited. I calculated up the cost today, I did the floor for $300.

https://youtu.be/0CFmTNoBa9c

[langleylad]

Watched your video , you're a natural ! Subscribed ! now the pressure is on ! lol

[CarGroves]

Watched your video , you're a natural ! Subscribed ! now the pressure is on ! lol

Hey thanks! I got a ton of work to do haha.

[rickpaw]

Scored some nice manual seats from the junkyard and just knocking out all of the interior rust repair.


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Curious what car those seats came out of?

[CarGroves]

Curious what car those seats came out of?

They are out of a NC Miata, 2006-2015. These specifically came from a 2008 Special Edition.

[rickpaw]

They are out of a NC Miata, 2006-2015. These specifically came from a 2008 Special Edition.

Thanks. Wondering which yard you went to. The LKQ yards I go to didn't have any Miata's

[CarGroves]

Thanks. Wondering which yard you went to. The LKQ yards I go to didn't have any Miata's

LKQ has more junkyards than your probably aware of in Houston, some just aren't pick in pull. Go on their website, use the parts search engine, search 2006 Miata seat. They should have some leather ones for $105. On these parts you buy it and pick it up, they have dismantling crew at the other sites to sell nicer parts. I had to go with nicer manual seats because my car is a 4 seat coupe and you need to be able to move the back of the seat with the car off to load kids. If you don't have this requirement there are tons of full power seats at the pick yourself yards.

[jaybee]

Great start on a project that will turn heads.

[CarGroves]

Ok, I knocked out all the rust around the back glass area. Now to move on to the rust under the drivers quarter window. Will it ever end haha?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9S4xajb-DQ


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[ErikSOCAL]

Awesome.
The videos are great and the review of tools and products at the end is fantastic.
If I hadn’t read the thread first about the donor suburban, I could see the next trend in the news as a mysterious case of SUVs in mall parking lots getting pieces cut out of them!

Any details on the 4x4 Miata?

[andrewb70]

I love the effort of resurrecting a Cougar!!!

Andrew

[CarGroves]

Awesome.
The videos are great and the review of tools and products at the end is fantastic.
If I hadn’t read the thread first about the donor suburban, I could see the next trend in the news as a mysterious case of SUVs in mall parking lots getting pieces cut out of them!

Any details on the 4x4 Miata?

Thanks man. The lifted Miata has a 3" Paco Motorsports lift, we used it in the Gambler 500 last year.

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I love the effort of resurrecting a Cougar!!!

Andrew


Thanks Andrew, your car is certainly an inspiration.

[langleylad]

Another great video , you knocked out that rear window rust repair with such ease . I had to do that same repair to my 68 Cougar as well . I'm sure the power of editing made it look a lot easier than it really was ! lol .

[jstanard]

Now this is my kinda project. I love the junkyard builds. Double bonus for choosing a Cougar! Can't wait to see where this goes.

[J-440]

Man you're taking me back to high school. My buddy's primer gray 67 with a 351 and slot rims was a fun car!! Best of luck to you. Those cars are beautiful!!

[CarGroves]

Hey, thanks everyone! I'm really excited for this project. I want a fun driver with a little balls and a little joe dirt in it haha