Modern Stereo Conversion in a '68 Cougar

In this video, we do a tasteful, hidden, completely stock-looking upgrade to the whole sound system in a 1968 Mercury Cougar. For the head unit, we used a converted original AM radio, which has had all of its electronics replaced with the latest modern tech. So while it appears original, it can now do AM and FM, auxiliary input, USB input, wireless Bluetooth streaming (including phone calls), etc. It's pretty impressive! We also hid some Alpine speakers in the stock locations with new quality speaker wires. These upgrades are probably the best way to enjoy modern sound and features in your classic Cougar, without changing anything about the vintage appearance. We also offer several other head units that still look vintage and don't cost as much, or you can always do what Don does, and throw a wireless speaker in the back seat and call it a day.
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[@josemedeiros007]

Nice job on making the video and the installation tutorial, I would also install a car alarm in the Cougar. I use to sell Ungo Box alarms out of Palo Alto, California, in my opinion they were the best in the 1980's and 1990's, but they were bought by Clifford in the late 1990's, and were eventually discontinued.

[@paulbalge9312]

I purchased a "Brand New 1968 Cougar - Dan Gurney Special" right off of the "Show Room Floor", "Color: Gulf Stream Aqua!" That was the "Best Vehicle I Have Ever Purchased!" I wish that I still had it today. But I got married in January of 1972, and had to sell it, because my wife had just purchased a 1971 Ford Torino. That really got me Depressed. This conversion that you did on this Cougar is "Awesome,

[@fireyman99]

24:33 Shows how comfortable that lady they kidnapped was in "From Dusk Til Dawn"

[@johnbanovich2185]

Thanks for actually walking through the removal of the old radio. Most videos who the before and after only.

[@jaredmigdal]

I installed the USA-740 from you in my 1969 Mustang. Love it!

[@donrush5690]

Were you the one who just left the glowing review on our website on the 740? Just sold one yesterday, I have never tried it myself but customers like what it offers at that price point.

[@jaredmigdal]

@@donrush5690 haha nope that wasn't me, but I read it and agree. Bluetooth works rather seamlessly and audio fidelity is great. Running this with a small powered 8 inch sub in the trunk, two 6x9's in the rear package tray, a dual coil in the center dash, and two 5 1/4"'s in the original door locations. love it.

[@swooshdave]

To get those holes in the kick panel just use a CNC laser cutter. Easy peasy.

[@10susan10]

Made me laugh. I thought it was really hot when I had a factory AM/FM mono in my 67 GT500.

[@gertraba4484]

we had a 1969 am/fm stereo we adapted to a 1968 Ford F100 Ranger pkg..................hot stuff in 1969

[@jugglejolt]

I'm so glad I found this video! Great job guys!

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Thank you! Great videos.

[@67Mustang666]

I'm thinking about adding the speakers on my 67 Mustang

[@Scalihoo]

pretty amazing

[@enriquesoria9967]

Great video and very informative!!!👍👍 Question where can I get that radio with the upgraded internals?😁

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

We offer several versions of original radios with new internals on our website: secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/Search.aspx?SearchTerms=Radio%20Converted%20Original&CatID=0

[@jcfireman2215]

Steve is cool !

[@aviatorflighttraining]

Another great video! I’m getting hard to work on my 1970 Eliminator. My goal is to make it a good daily driver. Audio is one of the things I’m going to hit soon. (Started by pulling the interior to check the floor boards, roof and cabin for rust). Ive got the dash out as well and will be calling for heater core and other items soon. I’d love to get an itemized list of what speakers I need for the audio, I’m very interested in quality. I’ve become a huge fan of you guys and am telling my cougar and mustang friends about you guys. Thanks for these great videos!

[@aviatorflighttraining]

Oh, my car had factory stereo as well if that helps.

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

1969-70 is actually a little trickier than 67-68 for speakers, because they started using weird size speakers and different mounting brackets. The rear speakers are 4x10, and your best bet on those is to go somewhere like Crutchfield to pick some out. On the door speakers, there is a very limited selection of what will work in that position. We carry some Kenwoods with mounting adapters that work well, but we've heard from customers that you may still need to do a little trimming. Link - secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/69-73dsken.html

[@k0rndog93]

Very cool. I just picked up a 1973 Lincoln Mark IV and would love to upgrade the factory radio (Yes it's still factory, not cut up and replaced with a generic CD deck!!!!) without destroying my dash and keeping the original look. Is there something like this available for my car? Cutting the dash isn't an option at this point, and the factory radio sucks lol. Thanks

[@mikevanvolkenburgh5348]

i like it

[@heathstevenson1872]

damn that's my car! Nice. need an 8 track for mine. Question, is the the flatter/smooth dash early 68 production? Or was it a San Jose thing? I have same dash but deluxe interior with console. thanks

[@65Gamerguy]

Great video, lot's of useful information! I am getting ready to restore a 70 Cougar with a medium blue interior and I have to ask what exterior color is that car? Is it Nordic Blue? I think it would look awesome on the 70 I am getting ready for!

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Good question, there were a bunch of blues available from the factory. This was either Nordic Blue or Glacier Blue. They changed up the colors a bit in 1969 and 1970, so in your case the proper colors in that range would either be Medium Blue Poly or Bright Blue Poly - check out the charts here to get some ideas: www.cougarclub.org/paint%20chips.htm

[@bmt336]

Can he do the same for a GM/Chevrolet AM from a 71 BelAir?

[@davidgilkey1899]

no display or green illumination?

[@trksanhoes]

👍👍

[@MrDriftonin]

I have a 68 xr7 console, I need to know what the heck this bezel is made out of, is it zinc plate, tin, galvanized with chrome over or what? It's broke I need to weld it up.

[@donrush5690]

Pot-Metal

[@gunner6639]

Maybe you covered this but i didnt catch it. Does the radio have a backlight?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

The stereo conversions still have the working OEM backlight. The other radios (shown in the boxes) use a facade to sort of look like an original radio but have a digital backlit screen that shows up when you turn the radios on.

[@gunner6639]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar thank you!

[@joshkellis6499]

OK. Question for you guys...... What is the name + model # of the AM/FM Radio that you took out that HAS the COUGAR lettering on it ? How rare is it ? Is it in 67 + 68 or just one or the other ? If I find I find one at all, in rough, or even in good condition, can you guys, or, is there anyone that restores those to show quality, or close, but not upgrading them with the modern internals ? I definitely know I want that model specifically for my 68, to keep the stock/period, and bad a.... appearance. 👍 But want to run a hidden receiver, as not to cut up a possibly rare part. I know there are models without the cougar lettering,... but,... my OCD and I Want the one with the lettering. 😏 Lol Thank you in advance for your time, and your help. 👍

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

The one we removed in this video was from a later model (74-79?) Cougar. The only person we knew restoring the originals without upgrading them to modern internals is no longer repairing them.

[@joshkellis6499]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar Thank you So Much. I really appreciate the info. 👍

[@jasonmushersee]

many 1960's cars/trucks came with am radios and they flat out sucked especially during a thunderstorm. when you were 18 yrs old driving your prized hot rod put every nickle/dime into it are you going to listen to polka/square dance music am radio like your old man dad? my dad never let us kids near his 1 tv set so radio was all we had. he said everything on fm radio is trash. i remember going to salvage yards seeing cougars mustangs cameros chargers stacked 3 high far as the eye can see