PLANE INSANE! 7 SEC '67 COUGAR! FORD 600CI! TOP SPORTSMAN! RT66!

Check out Dave and Maria Kocher's "Plane Insane II" one of a kind Mercury Cougar! If your wondering about the name of the car as I was, in short they are both licensed pilots. But there's plenty more to the story about this accomplished husband and wife team!
In Dave's own words...
The car is a 1967 Cougar, complete fiberglass body that was built for the previous owner from a mold of his original steel car. Paint is House of Colors heavy metallic emerald green metal flake. It is a full tube chassis built as a “side job” by someone who worked at Brad Hadman Race Cars in Tacoma Washington. Hadman is well known for building the fuel car chassis prior to the professional teams opening their own shops. The chassis is certified to 6.0 seconds and the car is legal to race top sportsman. The engine is Ford based, 660 ci, 1200 horsepower, naturally aspirated, injected alcohol. The block is an Eliminator Premier, A460 heads, Ron’s Twin Terminator injection system. My wife and I built the engine, with head work by BES Racing Engines and block machining by AES Engines. Transmission is a Reid Powerglide built by DRC Transmissions, Strange rear end, Ultra center section, 4.29 gears with 40 spline gun drilled axles. The car originally resided in Palmer Alaska and was regularly raced at Alaska Raceway Park. We purchased the car from the original owner who campaigned it for many years, with a different engine. It has been upgraded over the years, including since we purchased it in October 2016. Best time is 7.43 @ 181 mph.
I have been drag racing since 1968, winning my first trophy at Oswego Dragstrip in 1969 in my 1969 R-code 428CJ, 4 speed, Mach I Mustang. In 1972 I purchased a new Mercury Comet and installed a Boss 351 engine, C6 transmission built by Hydro Bob, Ford 9 inch 31 spline traction lok rear end with 5.14 gears. The car was a street car, periodically raced at Union Grove Wisconsin. In 1985 I purchased a 1970 Mustang, 428CJ, 4 speed, and raced that for several years, best time 11.35 @ 125 mph. The car is presently undergoing a complete resto-mod, with an all aluminum 612 ci Ford engine, Kaase Boss 9 heads and stack injection. My wife, Maria and I, are both pilots, I was a DC-9 Captain with Midway Airlines and she has her Commercial Instrument license. We are both rated in seaplanes as well. In addition to being a pilot, I am a licensed aircraft mechanic. Maria was a “wing walker” having performed at an air show on the wings of a Stearman bi-plane. We raced a Fountain offshore boat together for 3 years, and raced in the World Finals in Key West Florida in 2001. The boat was named V1 Rotate which is a flying term, hence the Plane Insane name on our Maverick and now Cougar. We are both “addicted” to fast cars, boats, motorcycles, (we each have our own Harley) and airplanes. Maria has done some sky diving but she hasn’t been able to get me to jump out of a perfectly good airplane...yet. In January 2019 I did Frank Hawley’s blown alcohol funny car course and upgraded my drag racing license. Maria has her drag racing license and attended Frank Hawley’s Super Comp course, she is licensed in both a door car and dragster.
Our previous drag race car was a 1970 Ford Maverick, powered by a Ford 557 ci engine, Kasse P51 heads, naturally aspirated, 900 horsepower. Best et was 8.51 @ 159 mph. The car was purchased in August 2008 and raced in Super Pro. We also were part of the Pinks All Out TV show filmed at Route 66 in June 2010, the only 16 car field of 8 second cars in the shows history.
This is a small window into our life. Dave and Maria Kocher (pronounced like Coker tire) not related unfortunately!
#insane #cougar #mercury

[@victoryredcolorado]

I'm sure everyone will ask what's up with the cougar's name "Plane" Insane. Both husband and wife are pilots! There's a great write up in the description by about their toys plus a little peek into their life that's worth reading!

[@bossmustang9615]

I love the old school big metal flake plaint! That cat runs hard

[@billyt.7387]

Dude can sure cut a light. Crazy R.T.

[@highdesertcougarcluboforeg7308]

Damn! That is truly one fast Cougar. She is pretty darned sweet. What a growl.

[@bamknm90]

Beautiful. The color and cougar.

[@1961stevea]

Awesome video of yet another stunning race car. Owner obviously knows how to tune a chassis And cut a light. Wow ! Keep em coming VRC ! Love your work !!

[@conantigard7348]

Man, that is one awesome Cougar.

[@eddiecaplan1908]

F.O.R.D, (first on race day!😀, always loved a cougar!!

[@adamsilva1359]

Keep up the Ford content!! I’m loving it, great video

[@larrywebb4761]

No Doubt Best Looking Race Car I Ever Saw. Been Racing Since 1969. 🏁🏁🏁❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@squanchysquanch7525]

Just plain out beautiful

[@boatme101]

I knew Dave and Maria from our days together in the offshore boating world. Two of the nicest people you will ever know

[@oldshovelhead]

Wow great vid! The driver has Jerry Miculek R/T!!!

[@victoryredcolorado]

Thanks!👊

[@gearmeister]

That Kitty can put the wampus on just about anything! 😺 🔥🔥🔥👍

[@cll1639]

.004...002...001...talk about chopping down the tree; this guy's name is beside it in the dictionary.

[@frlfda]

And how, that is deadly on the tree. The man is giving a clinic on starting line procedure.

[@danmyers9372]

Appears he also runs Super Pro per the window sticker meaning the car has all full electronic starting line aids. You can’t compete in Super Pro with RT’s above .05.

[@nickefgen9219]

Great video thank you, it's great to see a Ford running down the track

[@mikeking9777]

Freakin awesome. I had a 67 Dan Gurney Cougar years ago

[@emmettcunninghamjr.5207]

PERFECT NAME FOR THIS "BIG CAT" POWERED BY...FORD OF COURSE. THANKS!

[@henrybourdon6712]

Normally i do not like green but when you put sparkle in it , i like it.

[@JohnnyXR7]

Man that thing is awesome!!!! It looks so good👌

[@kandiwolfe1125]

Absofreakinglutely L💚VE IT!! Thank You !! Peace to all ....⚘💚⚘

[@victoryredcolorado]

Thanks!👊

[@jeffschwartz5199]

My first car at 16 was a 67 cougar in 1975 . The 390 it had was nothing like the 660 , but it provided smiles per miles. Your cat is awesome! Play safe. 🤺

[@lylespeed2821]

Cool cougar awesome rt

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Where is Jungle Pam when we need her. She is still the queen in my book!

[@thomasstark5381]

My third car as a kid wwas a 68 cougar dark green . cool car !!

[@reddirtfarm7704]

Wow !!!! Another Ford in a FORD!!!

[@N-Scale]

Nice car and some lightening hole shots. Rarely see a Cougar !!!

[@tiny-hj3xo]

Sharp and fast cat,,,,,gotta love it

[@shanefeeney9630]

Badass

[@ronclewell799]

Love it, I’ve got a 67 XR7 that I’m doin a restomod

[@peterb121]

Now we're talking Ford powered and Ford body. 🤗💪

[@LesMorrisracing]

Gosh I so needed this video today.

[@welderlifeneemann9666]

Love the video.... That car is bad to the bones!!! 💀💀🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kennethchapman9564]

My very first car was a 1968 Mercury Cougar XR 7, far cry from this machine!

[@larryhendricks3896]

Beautiful! I own a 68 XR7 but its just a mean street car. this thing is nuts lol.

[@torquetwisted4294]

Good to see the old "Cat" is still out racing!!! I wondered where KC Hooks old "Last Fast Cat" had gone. Lots of good memories of this car and his original "Last Fast Cat"

[@CHaas-bn3xi]

One thing all good drivers know the best way to get down the track is traction and control. And he does that well in this bad ass cougar

[@marke219]

Cant believe how nice it idles

[@richardfollettjr.393]

it'd be real interesting to see them put a blown V8 Pinto together … I WISH .. I was 20 years younger .. I'd do it myself

[@derrickconnolly9164]

I saw some old gal at the grocery store yesterday driving this car.

[@frozenbits48]

That sure looks to me like the "Last Fast Cat" that ran at Alaska Raceway Park for years and years.

[@Area907-ASV]

It is the "Last Fast Cat" that KC Hooks ran for years at ARP. KC retired a few years ago and I'm so glad to see the car not sitting in a garage collecting dust. KC was running 7.8-7.9's at the last although I believe he ran just about every class at Alaska Raceway Park at some point.

[@giuseppe841]

🇺🇸Hey Dave how are you Maria. Haven't talk to you in a while the car looks great. Joe G✌🏻

[@Jvcomet]

Great video. Love the fords . That Merc is cool

[@stephenvelden295]

LUV IT!

[@trevorjarvis3050]

Having just read the write up in the description .... both you and your wife are killin it! Seriously.... a freakin wing walker? You guys gotta do more vids? Btw. That’s the exact color on my Dads 34 Chevy , with smaller flake. Gorgeous car.

[@carlsenden8750]

He's hot off the line👍🏻

[@uhplumber5962]

That is insane for a normally aspirated engine. Just big block power.

[@modelrestorations]

Just found you and subd - Great channel! I thought of the Ed shartman Cougar when I 1st saw it.

[@im2cutesosueme121]

At 16 I had a 67 Cougar w/ Boss 302 had the glass pack side pipes. Grandfather helped me put a 3 speed stick from a Mustang in it. 411 posi rearend. Had to put traction bars on it. Sold it when I was 21 after work injury, needed money. Stupidest thing I've ever done.

[@lieugebo805]

It's definitely badass but there are small blocks of course they're 500 inch almost if not they run 750s naturally aspirated don't get me wrong this thing is absolutely badass and it's cool as hell to look at

[@chrisauten2039]

A nice fogger N2O system added to this beast would have it well into the sixes in no time!

[@jeffleblanc8850]

My first car wen I was 15 had a big block in it I couldn’t drive on street so I’d sneak it out at night wen my parents were sleeping and do burn outs then I sold it and got a mopar and never looked back

[@dennissatele8650]

Me too,,I did drive a pinto with a small block 302,,then I got ahold of a 67 Dart GTS,,from an old racer that has retired his whole operation,,with no motor and tranny,,so I had a 440/727 built just waiting for a roller,,and I never look back either..Love Mopars!!!

[@sorshiaemms5959]

love bbf cougar nothing like a merc

[@chado3000]

My 67 wasn't near this fast. But it just had the stock 289..

[@peterkay2406]

Imagine with spray😮😊

[@mikej.7204]

One bad cat

[@michaelburks4952]

I always thought you could only take the 429 - 460 ford engine out to about 560 cubic inches. How did they get 660.

[@gmboy559]

I always wondered who actually owned the tree. Now I know.

[@victoryredcolorado]

Chopped it down!

[@EliteSniper-ro9sy]

Looks like a hot wheels I want one

[@Jvcomet]

Nice car. What’s it weigh ?

[@victoryredcolorado]

Good question maybe the owner sees the comment and replies.

[@taylormach1699]

It's only 900 more HP than my wife's 67 Cougar with a 351W.

[@victoryredcolorado]

😄👍

[@danielwatson8066]

I had a 67 but it wasn't anything like that

[@michaelguinn5736]

Very nice Cougar, I'm a Ford guy at heart, I must admit, only 1200 hp??? 660 cubic inch motor should be more hp than 1200, the way that car leaves etc. The guy has it down on cutting a light!!!

[@donaldlewis1481]

1,300 horse power if it weighs 3,000#

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Not only fast be very pretty. I guess someone must run a Ford or life would be boring..........

[@martyharless5097]

So it isn't 600 cubic inches as the thumbnail would suggest, it's 660 cubic inches. That's still a lot of horsepower for that size engine but come on man it's not really that impressive. There have been much smaller engines to produce a lot more power than that.

[@wischiwaschi1204]

was??? woooo? 7SEC.... 7.56----7.60 NOT 7

[@vincegedeon6583]

Not bad for Ford garbage 😂

[@GearheadRob319]

could be worse, a junk chevy..