Our Cats

1967-1968 Custom Convertibles

This page is dedicated to the various 1967-1968 Cougar convertibles that are known to exist. Since Mercury did not produce a factory convertible Cougar until 1969, a few Cougar enthusiasts have elected to build the cars that many believe Mercury should have created.

	CatVert

	Kevin Marti Marti Auto Works
	This is the one that started it all, at least as far as most of us are concerned. Most Ford enthusiasts know of the contributions Kevin has made to the hobby with his Ford-licensed database of 1967-1973 production data and his two "...by the Numbers" books for Mustangs and Cougars. However, many don't know that Kevin authored a how-to article on doing a Cougar convertible conversion that was printed in the CCOA newsletter in 1982. The article was based on the conversion Kevin did on this gorgeous 1967 convertible and was another source of invaluable information for CatVert. The pictures you see here were taken from the January 1992 issue of Mustang & Fords magazine feature article titled "Original Intent."

Copyright 2001, Overton Photographic. Image from Cougars and Kittens 2004 Calendar	Virgil Brown This is perhaps one of the best-known Cougar convertible conversions. Originally created by Virgil Brown of St. Louis, MO, it is now owned by his son. Virgil passed away this year (2006), having contributed much to the Cougar community. Among his contributions was an unstinting willingness to provide consultation and adv ice to those who did similar conversions. His advice gave me the confidence to undertake my own CatVert project.
	This is a close-up view of the quarter panel kick-up from Virgil's car that demonstrates the difficulty of performing the convertible conversion. Note that the upper body line follows the Mustang line instead of the shallower Cougar line. This is the most common approach to the conversion, although CatVert retained the Cougar line and masked the window base with a modified version of the Cougar hockey stick trim along the base of the window.
	This picture shows the roofline produced by installing the Mustang folding top assembly as it was installed by the factory on the Mustang. Although the light color of the car in the background makes it difficult to see, one can make out the rise of the upper body line into the roof from the rear. That line creates an appearance of a roof that is more sloped than it appears here. Note also that the filler panel between the roof and trunk is enlarged to make up the difference. One of the neat features of Virgils car is the power antenna, seen here on the driver side rear quarter panel.

	Don Rush West Coast Classic Cougars

	Dwayne Macpherson Dwayne lives in Springfield OR. According to Don Rush, owner of West Coast Classic Cougars - "I don't know if it was rusty when the project was done as it was done in 1968 from what I remember. I located it in Canada in 1998, Dwayne has done much work since then." People familiar with the car consider it to have been correctly converted, meaning that all required structural reinforcement was done and it has a fully operational folding top.

	Lindsey This is a Cougar that resides in Canada. It has been extensively modified and is now a body-on-frame custom versus the original unibody construction. For the full story of this conversion, follow this link: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3177675

	Rex Bickwell This Cougar is a roadster conversion that resides in Texas. Similar in concept to the Ronster Mustang, Rex had not yet completed the fiberglass tonneau cover for the rear seat area at the time this photo was taken. Nonetheless, his creation won its class at the 2005 Cougar Club of America Nationals West.

	Keith Meredith In 1985, another 68 Cougar convertible was built. Keith Meredith who lived in a small town on the shores of Lake Michigan wanted a 1968 Dove Gray Cougar convertible with black interior & accents. So he set about the task of building one. The car's only public display in a Cougar show occurred in 1987. Keith drove through the CCOA National show held at Ford headquarters in Dearborn Michigan, and created quite a thrill to all who were there. He didn't stay, just drove around the show field once. That fueled the rumor mill that it was an "executive car, one of 2 built", so the rumor goes. Now, finally 24 years later, we know the correct story.


	Henry Schuurs Another Canadian convertible conversion, this one is from Dorchester Ontario. It is a C-code XR-7 that was converted in 2003.

	Owner Unknown This image came from Phil Parcells collection of Cougar memorabilia. If you know whose car this is, please contact us at registry@cougarclub.org .

	Owner Unknown This '68 Cougar GT custom convertible was last seen for sale on the used car lot near Athens, GA where this photo was taken. Careful examination of the other photos supplied show that the car did not undergo a correct conversion. The interior quarter panels were not changed, so the roof well cannot be correct. The front kick panels have not been changed, so the convertible inner rocker panels could not be installed. Note also that the quarter panel body line still rises to meet the roof, leaving open the question of how that area was finished after removal of the roof.

	Owner Unknown This '67 Cougar convertible was last seen for sale on Craigs List in the Vajello, CA area. It is another example of a conversion in which the understructure work was not performed to a factory standard.

	Owner: Barry Margolis Barry purchased this '68 Cougar convertible on eBay about a year ago. It originally resided in the Marquette, MI area., but now resides in Florida. It was based on the above-referenced 1982 CCOA article by Kevin Marti. Barry has done some work to it recently, including a five-speed tranny, rebuilt 289 with 2X4's, lowering, wheels, and a little more. Although the previous owner said he followed Kevin's design, it appears he did even more to the frame, including connectors from frame rail to frame rail. Updated 8/13/2009

	Owner Unknown This '68 Cougar convertible was last seen for sale on eBay and resided in the Castle Rock, CO area. It is a roadster conversion that does not have a folding top. The structural reinforcement performed during the conversion was to add subframe connectors to brace the undercarriage. Added 9/7/2008

	"TG7" This '68 Cougar convertible was recently shown at the Autorama show in Detroit, where it trophied. This car is a factory-like structural conversion with a custom modern take on the classic Cougar interior,. I particularly like the console and seats in this custom. Added 8/11/2009

	Malcolm McMillan This custom conversion was completed in 2009 and has already begun collecting trophies. Like several others on this page, the conversion was done mostly as it would have been done at the factory, with a few minor exceptions. Added 8/11/2009

	Owner Unknown This conversion was recently advertised on Craigs List from Sacramento, CA. It does not appear to be a factory-style conversion, but there was too little information in the ad to know exactly what was done to strengthen the body . Added 12/4/2009
	"Jose or Karen" This conversion was recently advertised on Craigs List from Vacaville, CA. Taken from the ad: 1967 Convertible conversion High performance 289 engine runs good. New rims and tires, newer paint, new interior, new brakes ,new top(manual) Added 4/4/2010
	"Owner Unknown" This conversion was recently advertised on Craigs List from Atlanta, GA. Taken from the ad: Collectible pale yellow Cougar with New 347 c.i Stroker, C4 Transmission, top removed (included) to convert to convertible. Single owner for last 30 years, knew original single owner for complete history. There appears to still be remnants of a vinyl roof around the windshield and the quarter panel slope into the roof was retained. Added /4/2010
	"Owner Unknown" Added 11/27/2011 - Advertised for sale in Apopka, Florida by "D." There was no information provided as to the conversion approach.
Still to come...	Others as I learn about them and can obtain photos.