Will it run? 1978 Mercury Cougar XR7 sitting for 20 plus years! Saved from the junkyard!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ธ.ค. 2024
- We purchased a 1978 Mercury Cougar XR7 that has been sitting for 20 plus years and see if we can get it running and driving again.
302 V8 engine. Will it run? Will it drive? Was set to go to the scrap yard and we saved it!
This is part 1 of what will be a multi part series on this Cougar.
If you would like to email - TheInevitableJim@gmail.com
If you would like to send something to me that you feel I'd find interesting:
The Inevitable Jim
300 44th St
Marion, IA 52302
Great deal on both of those cars
Definitely!
@@the-inevitable-jim Jim, the taillights on the green XR7 are 1979 so unless they were changed the car may be a 1979.
Bofa deez...
So glad you like Fords because I do too 😁
Love the old big ones!
I had a 78 XR7. I loved it !
They ride nice!
As the owner of a '78 Thunderbird, this is an awesome find!. These malaise era cars are forgotten & overlooked!. All '78 cougars were XR-7's, be very careful with the wiper switch as they are not reproduced.
theyre so good, a mark V continental is the best car ive ever owned / driven, had 3 at one point
Thanks, that's some great info!
There were also Cougars with the Brougham package as well as XR7's. FYI
These cars were awesome. Them 302s were bulletproof
I'm redoing a 1979 Thunderbird myself. I love these 70's Fords, Lincoln's, and Mercurys as well. Mine is a 302 with 72000. Great cars. This will make a great car to build.
It’s nice to watch your laidback style and some great cars.
I appreciate that!
Thanks for the shout out on my T-Bird Jim! Really enjoying the progress on the Cougar and looking forward to all your upcoming projects!
Thanks for supporting the channel!
Featuring your viewers cars and projects is a great thing to do, and I know that a lot of us appreciate an opportunity to see them. Enjoying your videos Jim, keep 'em coming!
The viewers rides will be a regular thing on my videos as long as I keep getting those cool pics!
More video adventures to come!
Absolutely love the 77-79 T-Birds and Cougars. I have had several T-Birds of that era, and yes they are land barges. But they ride and drive like a dream. Very silky, excellent power steering. Love your channel! Keep the vids coming.
Will do!
I love how easily that engine fired up.
You and me both!
Gotta love an old 5.0.
Already one of my favorite channels, keep it up Jim.
Awesome, and thank you for watching!
Tell all your friends and be sure to share the episodes on social media!
I love these Cougars. I had a '79. Great find and a new Sub.
Thank you! Stay tuned for more on this one!
Jim might be the coolest guy I don’t know! Thanks for being nerdy and making cool videos.
LOL, Thank you! I'll keep them coming!
This car is definitely a 1979 and you can tell from the taillights. Love your channel.
Good cruiser too!
Jim, you have a natural ability for the camera. Keep up the good work!
Wow, thanks!
You are an inspiration young Jim, really enjoying your video's. Thank you.
Thanks for watching. Appreciated!
I love Mercury Cougars, had a 1974 XR7 in 1992, a beautiful machine. miss it but looking forward to see yours up and running 👍
The 74's were good looking cars for sure!
Stay tuned for the upcoming video on the Cougar.
Thank you for watching!
@the-inevitable-jim Thank you for your reply looking forward Jim👍
Hey Jim,this is a sweet ride, hope this shines up as good as the wagon does, same with the Lincoln
This will absolutely NOT shine up like the wagon.....
Have a few other ideas.
@@the-inevitable-jim Go on, you've got me curious now, it's somewhat a shame it won't shine up like the wagon
@@Leylandcars123 We'll make it look as good as we can!
@@the-inevitable-jim Please do, the patina will look great with that faded green paint
Love the new show Jim! Keep it up! I've always been a Ford guy at heart although I love them all.
I appreciate the support!
"horizontally abundant" that is so me lol😂
Yeah, I love that phrase!
I love the late 70s fords Mercury's and Lincoln's im a Ford guy. My mom had a 77 Ford LTD II Brougham when I was kid and I'd love to get one. I've had a few 85 -87 crown Vic s and grand Marquis and they are my favorite cars
Solid units!
@billymcmanus9642 they were the most reliable smooth driving cars available in my opinion
My uncle had a thunderbird like that. Car was sweet
They are pretty cool!
Awesome save guys and i love the green color my favorite
Thank you. And thanks for watching!
You're doing a great job finding them Jim!
@@josephmynyk8086 It just takes a lot of time and effort to watch the marketplace and the like.
And you always need to be ready to buy at a moment's notice.
Had a 77 Tbird in the early 90s. It rode so smooth.
@@jamesHazel-b2nThey are comfy!
Thanks for the mention on my jeep. Sure enjoying the channel. Keep it up!
Absolutely Mike. That is a beautiful Jeep!
yep fix and flip good times be nice if good radio nice cruise for sunday
It will be available when we are done.
That’s one clean Cougar! I had a 1979 Ranchero GT! I’ve always had a soft spot for that era of Ford/Mercury cars!
It's absolutely my wheelhouse!
Love those 70s land yachts! My parents owned 3 Cougars. Great cars! My personal favorites are the big Lincolns, especially the Continental Town Car. A mile long! And the GM cars, Cadillacs mostly. Big Fleetwoods. 😎 This Cougar is in really good shape! Very nice! Thanks for sharing!
The Continentals are impressive for sure!
Wait until you see the one I bought at the same time as the Cougar! It's coming up next!
Love the show have a 1977 ltd ll i.have had for 9.years . Sending picture
@@stevestenger974 Looking forward to seeing it
Great find looking forward to this build... Back on the road😊
Stay tuned!
Already started filming part 2!
Awesome revival, Jim keep up the great work 👍 love your knowledge and no how of cars . Keep the videos coming .
Glad you enjoy them. More to come for sure!
im 46 years old and this was my first car. different color though. man that 302 leaked out of the valve cover seals. my friends and i called it the beast, we had alot of good times with it.
Bet it could tell stories! LOL!
Got sent here by Dalton and damn, Jim, you've got a good show!
Awesome! Thanks, be sure to subscribe!
I love these cars.That exact model was the first brand new car my family ever owned.
I never liked these cars back in the day, but I was really looking forward to this video. Thank you, Jim
Thanks and I appreciate you watching!
Thank you, Jim glad, you liked my old charger. keep up the great work and saving them old cars.
Thanks for watching!
Hey Jim. Great content. Looking forward to part two of the revival.
Filming has already begun!
Thanks for your videos! I love these cars and can't wait to see the Lincoln!
That Lincoln is going to be SWEET!!!!!
dude the color on that old gal is amazing
Yeah, I wish it wasn't completely fried.
I own a 77 cougar xr7 had restored 3yrs ago had 351 Cleveland put in it love it
I love that style cougar XR7 is a sharp good looking car.i had a ,.1976 cougar XR7 miss it a lot i wish i kept it. Cougar are the balls fast..
You can buy this one when we finish!
No prom nights 😅😅 love it. Pretty funny you got your wife trapped in the car.
She expects stuff like that! LOL!
That's been my dream car since my cousin bought his new back 79 in H town. Maybe 1 day or in the next life time. They came with an 8 track player I remember I was only 9 at the time.
Go get one. They are out there!
I love these old fords too! That Mercury Cougar is the same platform as the 77 through 79 Ford LTD II. The LTD II was still basically the Gran Torino but by a different name. That 302 only has 140 horsepower but is very reliable. I’m very surprised it has very little rust despite sitting outside for 20 years
Yeah, the lack of major rust was the biggest reason I went to see it. When I saw that there was no bondo, I snatched it up!
I know I’m gonna like the viewer car submission section so cool seeing other people’s cars
Cool, keep watching!
Glad you're making videos now big Jim
Thank you! Hope you are enjoying the content.
That's a cool car
They do have some interesting character!
Shouldn't be surprised an old Ford actually runs and runs good especially since it's a cougar as they are always young lol
Yes.... yes they are. LOL!
New 2 the channel you had me at at 1978 Cougar XR-7 had to pause for a bit after a few minutes of I really need to STOP WATCHING these video's & a few more Rated R words & the wife saying settle down your going to have another heart attack I watched the video & enjoyed it. O well standing by for the next video if I make it . Put her back on the road she's a fine COUGAR.
That's the plan!
Nice find, looks like it will clean up nice inside and out! Make a nice cruiser, classic car to take to carshows or weekend cruise!😊
That's the goal!
.Nice car! I love a good little 302
Me too! One of my favorite engines.
My very first car (which I still own) has a 302.
Love that you are showing us your passion. Don’t be afraid to do some tutorial videos, like how you rebuild and tune a carb and engine.
Good idea! I have a few that I'm planning on doing soon.
As always, the team of The Inevitable Jim & Richie save another one! Great job guys
Yes! Thank you!
thank you for the upload mr jim it was really good pal
Thank you!
Great car. My mother had a 1978 XR7. That is a 79 , you can tell by taillights and body color trim in front grill.
You’re the best Jim. Richie is great too, we miss him when he isn’t around for the end of the video.
I have an old 92 Deville and I’ll DEFINITELY use that line about the fiberglass front end in the future. hilarious!
Yeah, he's pretty funny when he comes out of his shell a bit! LOL!
I had a 79, loved it
Awesome!
I had a 77... was an amazing car and the ride was awesome. It had a 351M in her.
@glennjarvis2672 They do ride amazing don't they?
@the-inevitable-jim They were the "true" cruiser.
I love it and I want it lol ....I used to have a 4dr back in the early 2000s
It will be available when we complete it.
Very nice car. I would love to have one.
They're cool cars, aren't they?
It will be for sale when it's done.
Solid car Jim! Sounds great too
@grantmelcher1830 Yeah, it is pretty solid overall. 👌
Thanks for watching !
Beautiful Merc 😍
Thanks. Appreciate you watching!
We can't wait to see this revive! Nice find Jim! 💪
Having a nice drive on lift will make it even easier!
Another great video Jim . I’m looking forward to part 2 . Have a good trip . All the best Nick from England
Glad you enjoyed it!
Already started filming of part 2!
Cool!! 2 projects comin in hot!!
Yes! Yes they are!
Im sentimental to this Cougar as my Grandfather had a 77 Coupe in the 80s when i was a kid in my old car formative years. It was brown with and orange interior and a white top, and radio delete. He had it for 15 years and by the time he sold it, it was so rusty that he had to tie the rear bumper to the trunk. 351 W although carbonated still ran like a top.
That awesome, thanks for sharing!
I appreciate you watching.
Hey Jim, love your channel. It’s nice to see a Cougar on your channel. I own a ‘78 that my dad bought new. I think it’s a really cool car. I’ll email you some pictures you can share. Looking forward to part two.
Looking forward to seeing it!
Thanks for watching!
Great vid, love your style! Your Pam is a real trooper! And Ritchie (sp?) is a gem..."big block"!
Blessings to y'all
Pamela is an amazing woman, and Ritchie is a great young man!
I'm glad you are enjoying the content!
My dad had one when I was just a kid. His was silver with the vinyle top and red pin striping and Grey interior really good lookin car. It also had a 302 but it was shot.he swapped a 351 Cleveland into it it was a sweet ride
Sounds like a nice color combination!
Thanks for watching.
I have this car mine is gold and I wouldn't take a dime for it I have this car I love it I just love this car mine is fixed up with a 460 with a full cam
Send me some pics!
They were ALL XR7 in 1978 regardless of trim level or engine option. The Duraspark 2 was an incredibly reliable ignition system. It was the Duraspark 1 system that was prone to issues. Fun fact, Duraspark was not only used on Fords but also AMC and Jeep used Duraspark. The Duraspark box on my 79 F100 is made by Delco ironically but listed for a Jeep.
another great video Jim! Gotta love these cars
Thank you! Appreciate the support!
Great job on the Mercury Cougar I also like the test light✌️👍
@@Returnofthecomet64 Thanks. Old school test light, old school car!
Nice ride ! I had a 78 T-Bird back in the 90's . Good car ! I am partial to Fords ,they have been good to me ,but like you I like them all ! Look forward to more on this cougar .
Filming of part 2 has already begun!
Nice Cougar!! I like your term "horizontally challenged"😂
LOL
My brothers first car was 77 Cougar XR7 with less options than that. No tilt, no cruise, crank windows. Vinyl bucket seats with a center console and floor shifter. Very cool car!
I wish this one had the center console!
my dad had one of these as a company car, when he turned the car back in I bought it from that company midnight blue with 302 that thing was a dog. it also was a xr7 with no added goodies great lookin car. I had a 76 elite prior to the cougar
Elites are cool too!
Love your videos Jim!
Thank you. I appreciate you watching!
Hi Richy 🐻 Hi Jim
Hey Ramone! Thanks for watching!
Love some Jim!
Thank you!
You are doing the thing man!
Those rims!😅
I actually love a nice set of turbine wheels!
Awesome Jim! Great find. When I was a kid my Mom had a '77 Grand Marquis. Big, white four door, green interior, that was an awesome car, she cruised..
I’m on a slow hunt for a 2 door Uncle Buck 🤎
Much harder to find in a 2dr
Green interiors, sure had a different vibe to them!
I like how you do your videos jim
Thank you. Much appreciated!
I had this same car in the mid 90s. 302 / auto, console, houndstooth interior, and factory CB. She was in about the same condition, and the same color combo. Purchased for $200. Looked like hell, but ran great.
Sounds like you got a real steal!
Awesome episode dude
I appreciate that!
More to come!
Nice job! Keep em comin.
More to come for sure!
Amazing video!!!
I appreciate you watching!
Thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have the same shirt too. I love square body trucks. Love the color as my favorite color is green. Would love to learn a few things about old cars and work alongside with you guys. Watching from chilly Florida
I bet it's still warmer there than Iowa! LOL!
Man, I'd love to have that Cougar. Back in high school when I was 16/17 years old, I had a 77 XR7. Mine was light grey inside and out with a 351M, bucket seats and center console shifter.
Sounds like you had a sweet ride!
Great work! Gives me motivation to get my 1962 opel running again!
You can do it! Go out and simply get started!
@the-inevitable-jim Yepp, but I'll probably have to change the engine and convert the brakes because lack of parts🥴
Back in the 80s my friend had one it rode so well I bought a 77 ,t bird
Rolling couch!
These cars were everywhere in the late 70s. The wheel center caps were plastic and didn't last long. The engine sounds really good!
We are very pleased with how solid the engine sounds.
Yea buddy! Thank you for the great video !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Making me wanting to pull my 78 bird back in the shop to finish working on it!!
@@kcchristensen1275 Whar are you waiting for???
Send pics!
@ how do I send pictures or where to send. 👍
TheInevitableJim@gmail.com
Thats a nice cougar
Solid foundation for sure! Thanks for watching!
Brilliant video ❤
@jonathancharrington3410 I appreciate the compliment, thank you!
@ keep up the good work
I'm enjoying the channel Jim! Keep it up! I'll be sending you pictures of an IROC-Z that got totaled in a freak accident. (Nobody hurt). Bought a donor roller. Swapped driveline over. Repaint of the donor will be done soon to match the departed IROC. Hope to send in the new year!
Looking forward to seeing it! Thanks for watching!
Another great video Jim, keep it up buddy, already you’re up there with the channels I eagerly await content from 👍🏻🇮🇪
@paulryan388 Wow thank you so much for the compliment!
Credit where it’s due my good man, carry on doing what you do best 👍🏻
It's a '79 You can tell by the tail lights and the grill. Had a few, they are good cars. Cool that you have it.
Not according to the title. It looks just like the ones in the 78 sales brochure, so???
@@the-inevitable-jim Check vin on title then, slight differences in the tail lights and the grill in '77 / '78 compared to the 79. You have a '79.
@yuckabuster I did. It matches. It's possible someone could have changed the lights and grill I suppose...
Still a cool cruiser!