My '77 XR7

Hello all!

I'm new here, but very glad to have found a forum for the seemingly much-unloved '77-'79 Ford mid-sizers!

I recently bought a '77 Cougar XR7. It is quite likely the most basic XR7 that you will ever find: rear defroster, side mouldings, AM/FM, right-hand remote mirror, deluxe bumper group, and that's about it for options: no power windows or locks, 302, base wheel covers, no A/C, no leather, no buckets, etc. It really looks like this one was bought as a way for a dealership to advertise a low price LOL! It was built in May '77, so it is quite a late one.

It is finished in its original paint colour of light jade green, and features original exterior and interior trim (in dark jade). Gotta love the green "picnic"-style cloth in that dark green vinyl! The smell of that when it gets hot brings back many childhood memories :).

I remember seeing this car a few years ago at a local cruise night, and even then really wanted it (but at the time didn't have any room). It reminded me a lot of my uncle's car: he had a '78 in the same colour, but loaded to the hilt (351, sunroof, leather, full instrumentation, etc.). Back when I first saw it, my '77 was still wearing its original paint that was very badly worn on the roof and hood, so I was happy to find it with a fresh coat (and a very well done paintjob at that... at least above the trim).

The car does need some work: I have already restored and re-installed the "XR7" trunk badge, which makes a world of difference in terms of visual impact from the rear! I've redone the parcel shelf, and will be tackling the interior door trim in the near future (that lame chrome tape stuff is all peeling off). As some of you may have seen on my earlier post, I'm also having some carb issues, so hopefully I can get those straightened out :).

I love the base wheelcovers because you rarely see them, and except for the logo in the centre, they're the same as my mom's old '85 Marquis' covers. Heck, Ford used them from '71 on, I believe! Talk about getting good mileage out of a design :).

Anyway, I'm very happy to be here and I look forward to learning more about you guys and your cars!

Lee (aka Turbo301)

WOW!!!

Thanks, guys. It's in very nice shape, especially the interior, although it's not quite as nice as the pictures would suggest LOL! Still, I thought it was a pretty good deal for $2600, all certified, with an oil change, and new catalytic converter. I read on the Net that the light jade green is a rare colour, but it seemed to me to be common enough back in the day. I've always been partial to light greens and blues, so the colour was definitely a selling point to me :).

Do you know which company reproduces them? I only saw '70 and older Cougar parts currently listed.

Sharp looking car. I recently saw a 78 LTD II done in same color scheme where I picked up my parts car.

I'm in Fonthill which is near Niagara Falls.

Nice car, great deal!. 

Edited by JimW - 02-November-2009 at 10:52AM

Yeah, after scanning E-bay for the price of an NOS emblem, I figured I had nothing to lose :). Plus, doing model cars and aircraft has always a hobby of mine for 20 years, so I liked the opportunity to apply modeling skills to a real car.

Yes indeed, my brother and I picked it up 10 years ago from the original owner, and it's still mostly original, right down to the mudflaps and exhaust. It's not fast by today's standards, but after driving the Cougar one really appreciates how good a performance car the Trans Am was for its day: it handles more like a new car, no sign of boatiness whatsoever :).

LOL They weren't that bad as long as they were fed good gas :). Actually, the turbo pushes very strongly in the 50-100 km/h range, but it is a bit of a slug off the line until the turbo winds up (same as any turbo car, really).