My 68 Cougar Pro-Touring / Resto-Mod Project

[andrewb70]

What was wrong with the Cougar valance?

Andrew

[andrewb70]

Attachment 117138Attachment 117139

Oh ya ! , these will do . I'm sure glad that I went with the 295's and not 315's in the back .

:-)

[langleylad]

What was wrong with the Cougar valance?

Andrew

It is a bit on the rough side , I still have it and I'm sure that I'll spend a day on it trying to made it straight . I just really wanted to try something different and put myself through the pain and agony of trying to make it work . I must be some kind of sadist !. I very easily could have done the body in half the time but I've chosen to go the long road.

[langleylad]

:-)

Ya , I knew would like that .

By the way , I enjoyed the article on Bangshift . Hard work always gets noticed . Congrats

[68Cuda440]

I need a 18 x 9 and a 18 x 10.5 or 18 x 11 , help please .

There are "affordable" options out there, especially in the 5x4.5" pattern. My "track" wheels are aftermarket from Late Model Restoration. They are 18x9 front and 18x10 rear for 2 different year Mustangs. Cost $620 total for the set.

[andrewb70]

Ya , I knew would like that .

By the way , I enjoyed the article on Bangshift . Hard work always gets noticed . Congrats

Thanks!

I like those Mustang wheels above. I bet they will look great on the Cougar. What's the plan for exterior color?

Andrew

[langleylad]

Thanks!

I like those Mustang wheels above. I bet they will look great on the Cougar. What's the plan for exterior color?

Andrew

I'm leaning towards a dark silver/gray

[andrewb70]

I'm leaning towards a dark silver/gray

Black wheels would look good with that.

Andrew

[Chev Korbin]

Front valance looks good so far,... yes shame on you for a terrible picture! jkjk.. How much modifications where needed to get it to go in, what all did you have to do?? looks like the license plate notch in the bumper lined up pretty good, are you going to have to modify the bumper in any way? sorry for all the questions, it just looks so cool and I have wanted to incorporate some GT 350/500 styling cues in my build and you are paving the way for us less experienced builders. As always, awesome work and I look forward to more!

[langleylad]

Thanks Korbin

The licence plate recess lines up perfect with the bumper . There are flanges at both ends of the valance that mate up to flanges on both fenders . The holes don't match up so that has to be addressed , the flanges on the valance are also cut off about 3/4" out from where the fenders meet the valance . I also removed approx. 1" of sheet metal on both sides between the licence plate recess and turn signal cut outs then I welded them back together ( tacked together actually ) . Then I centered the valance in place . Take note where the bumper brackets protrude and cut notches on the top of the valance , starting small and sneak up bit by bit until you are happy with the fit. Then with the end flanges in place (bolted or clamped to the fenders) I scribed the back side of the valance where it meets the flanges . Then you trim along the scribed lines . Next step is to then tack the valance to the end flanges . Make sure and check that everything is square and even and that you are happy with the fit before you do your final welding , also do small stitch welds moving around so as to not over heat any one area and warp the sheet metal . With the valance in place fabricate two mounting brackets that will drop down from the bumper brackets to the back side of the valance , nothing to heavy duty 18g sheet metal will do nicely. Then sand/grind your welds smooth and then do your body work . Please hammer and dolly your piece as flat as possible to keep your filler usage to a minimum . In the end you'll have 8 attachment points , there are two on the bottom at the frame that line up perfectly , four at the fenders , and the two at the bumper bracket . Just take your time and don't rush it , You can do it , good luck .

[Chev Korbin]

Thanks! Thats excellent, good description I can see it all in my head perfectly. You would think that as wide as the cougar is, (well appears to be I guess) you would have had to do some extensions rather than take out the 2". thanks again, appreciate it!

[langleylad]

Thanks! Thats excellent, good description I can see it all in my head perfectly. You would think that as wide as the cougar is, (well appears to be I guess) you would have had to do some extensions rather than take out the 2". thanks again, appreciate it!

No problem ,
The Cougar valance is a flatter piece , the Mustang piece has more of a curve at the ends .

[langleylad]

Today while trimming the rear wheel wells I noticed some metal work that I wasn't quite happy with so I sanded and welded and sanded and filled and sanded now I'm happy . I sure hope that I get this thing poly primed while it's warm enough!.

[langleylad]

Fed Ex delivered my American Autowire Classic Update wiring harness from Summit Racing yesterday . Today I primered the inside . I've been in contact with Rushforth Wheels about some ideas on what to mount my new Michelins on . They're approx. 3 hours south of me in Tacoma , Wa. and they manufacture some awesome wheels . I'm looking at their Wildside wheels in a smoked titanium with polished lips , goggle them , they're nice !!!!.

[andrewb70]

Not that it means anything, but not a fan of those wheels. The "fat lip" design is so 10 years ago...

Andrew

[langleylad]

Body work continues , fine tuning the front fender extensions ( mounting ).

[windows]

Great project. I'll be following this one. Who you going to get to paint it?

[Spork82]

Have you checked out Fikse wheels? They are in Port Kells and build custom wheels.

[langleylad]

Have you checked out Fikse wheels? They are in Port Kells and build custom wheels.

Thanks , According to their website they're about 5 min. from me at the Langley airport . I really should contact them . I looked them up a couple of months ago .

[langleylad]

Now in poly surfacer