My 68 Cougar Pro-Touring / Resto-Mod Project

[jstanard]

Have you attached the parking brake cable yet? I'm not thrilled with my current set up using the Explorer cables mated to a center mounted e-brake lever. I'd like to see how you approach this.

[langleylad]

I’m installing a Lokar e-brake . Actually I just ordered the cables yesterday. Lokar have a kit for the Explorer 8.8 . Reviews say it works great . I had to drill new holes in the e-brake mounting tabs to get it to sit at the correct height and not hit the floor.

[langleylad]

Today I finished up the fuel pump/sender wiring . I built a electrical panel to mount the fuel pump relay and breaker plus whatever else that might need power . I'm sure it's overkill and not needed but who knows ?. I also plumbed in the fuel tank vent into the top of the filler tube with some 3/8 stainless tube ( leftover scrap ) . I bent up some trans cooler lines with the same tubing two days ago . Man ! that is one thing that will drive you crazy ! . You lay under the vehicle and measure and bend your tubing and try to fit it and bend again and refit and bend and straighten and rebend and through it away and start over and measure etc etc etc ...... It doesn't look as good as I want but this could drive me crazy as I said ! . I will cover all the wiring in Powerbraid .

[Richness]

Have you attached the parking brake cable yet? I'm not thrilled with my current set up using the Explorer cables mated to a center mounted e-brake lever. I'd like to see how you approach this.

Also, curious about this. I went with the Mustang Steve conversion on the rear of my 67 with an 8" (https://mustangsteve.com/product/cobra-rsm/) but I am having a hard time connecting the parking brakes to the original handle as I dont care for one that sits on the floor.

I have tried reaching out to Street or Track about these cables (https://www.streetortrack.com/Cobra-...-pr-24093.html) to confirm that it will work but they have not returned my calls/emails. Does anyone know if they have a different number?

Has anybody used a different system to connect to the stock handle on the 67's?

[langleylad]

This weekend I decided to dig out 1000 grit and wet sand the clear , nice and smooth . The plan is to spray on another gallon of clear . Also as I mentioned a while back , I want to see how the new Challenger headlights would work on this project . I ordered some off Ebay and have mocked them up to see how they will work . Here's some pictures , I still need to move them around , up and down , back and forth , left and right etc... plus the bumper is just set in place , the jury is out at the moment .

[andrewb70]

I'm digging the headlights. Will you still have the headlight covers?

Andrew

[JayinMI]

Interesting idea. I didn't realize the Challenger headlights were one unit (per side) until I suggested them for a friend's '76 Duster build.
He told me. I've never seen them used on anything else. I dig it.

Jay

[DrFraZZy]

I literally had this idea on my head but never had the opportunity to make it come to fruition after I sold my cougar couple years ago. I am glad, someone is making it a reality! I will be looking closely into this.

[langleylad]

I'm digging the headlights. Will you still have the headlight covers?

Andrew

This is something that I've been struggling with . The hideaway headlights and sequential taillights are iconic features to an early model Cougar . That being said , if I do go with these Challenger headlights then the hideaways will be gone . Truth be told , I was never a big fan of them to begin with . They are a cool idea but I think they make the front end bulky and they are heavy on the eye . Then you have the Cougars that ran in the Trans Am series and they ran without the headlight doors in place , so if it's ok with Dan Gurney to run without them , why not me ? Ok ok that's pretty weak , I know ! lol .My other option is the custom grille by Wild Wes Paintworks . It is a solid grille that the lights shine through as it doesn't have retracting doors . This grille is priced at approx. $1000 . This plan of mine might not be everyone's cup of tea but oh well . The car still has sequential taillights which are now hiding behind Shelby lenses . Then you throw in an LS engine , complete TCI coil over front suspension , DSE QuadraLink rear suspension , 68 Mustang dash etc ... there really isn't much Cougar remaining ...

[frojoe]

I dig the headlights.. I say continue forward with them.

[wfo guy]

IMHO, I'm old and have owned a 67 GT350. Keep the tail lights and go forward with the exposed headlights. The cougar was marketed as a upscale version on the Mustang. Non-performance people were more of the target audience. You have the possibilities of doing something that is striking. If you cover the lights, you haven't got a 1st impression to grab someone's attention because you are different.

[jlcustomz]

As someone that has done a bit of non-stock late model upgrading, both subtle & not subtle. I likes.
Have seen several of these lights used in retro swaps. Like they say, great minds think alike.

Looks like you'd have to sink them deeper to attempt re-engineering some sort of covers, But I can only guess how much room you already lost just getting modern lights in there at all. If ya got pretty eyes, the hell with eyelids.
If you really did want daytime covers just for show, making them clip on could be a possibility, but again, covering the pretty eyes.

[langleylad]

IMHO, I'm old and have owned a 67 GT350. Keep the tail lights and go forward with the exposed headlights. The cougar was marketed as a upscale version on the Mustang. Non-performance people were more of the target audience. You have the possibilities of doing something that is striking. If you cover the lights, you haven't got a 1st impression to grab someone's attention because you are different.

There's a lot of truth in this ! Thank you Sir

[langleylad]

As someone that has done a bit of non-stock late model upgrading, both subtle & not subtle. I likes.
Have seen several of these lights used in retro swaps. Like they say, great minds think alike.

Looks like you'd have to sink them deeper to attempt re-engineering some sort of covers, But I can only guess how much room you already lost just getting modern lights in there at all. If ya got pretty eyes, the hell with eyelids.
If you really did want daytime covers just for show, making them clip on could be a possibility, but again, covering the pretty eyes.

If ya got pretty eyes, the hell with eyelids. That is a classic line ! I think I'll steal it and claim it as my own ! lol !
There will be no covers , I'm still trimming a little here a little there to get them to fit and look the way I want them too . Every time I see a Challenger go down the road I love the look more and more .

Thank you for the kind words Sir .

[Peanut1959]

I love the Challenger headlights and agree that they'll be better without the grilles covering them. However, I also don't think the stock radiator grilles will look right without the side pieces. So, I took the liberty of doing a quick pencil styling study. I've basically created some mini waterfall grillebars to tie it all together.

[langleylad]

I love the Challenger headlights and agree that they'll be better without the grilles covering them. However, I also don't think the stock radiator grilles will look right without the side pieces. So, I took the liberty of doing a quick pencil styling study. I've basically created some mini waterfall grillebars to tie it all together.

That's awesome Mr. Peanut ! Thanks .

The area between the headlights and center grille piece will be quite a bit smaller than your drawing . My plan is to build a grille piece similar to the stock grille . Thanks again for your efforts .

[Peanut1959]

Yeah, I figured I was gonna get my proportions wrong if I didn't pay attention! I actually did that sketch while I was running lights for a local theatrical production of Tuesdays With Morrie!

[shikwann]

This weekend I decided to dig out 1000 grit and wet sand the clear , nice and smooth . The plan is to spray on another gallon of clear . Also as I mentioned a while back , I want to see how the new Challenger headlights would work on this project . I ordered some off Ebay and have mocked them up to see how they will work . Here's some pictures , I still need to move them around , up and down , back and forth , left and right etc... plus the bumper is just set in place , the jury is out at the moment .

Im impressed man, I can't to see how this pans out!

[langleylad]

Finally decided on which wheels to go with . Rocket Racing Wheels Attack Titanium finish . 18 x 10 rear 18 x 9 front .

[munche]

Finally decided on which wheels to go with . Rocket Racing Wheels Attack Titanium finish . 18 x 10 rear 18 x 9 front .

Awesome wheel design - curious to see how the 18x9s fit up front. You planning on any flares or anything to fit the bigger wheel?