The 1980 - 1982 Fox Body Mercury Cougar

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks for your support and please do consider becoming a supporter of my efforts... www.patreon.com/TofersCarTales

[@asyntheticsound]

had no idea there was a Cougar keychain. looks just like my hood ornament, so naturally i must find one immediately.

[@SagPegasus]

I owned one of these! Paid 200 bucks for it out of a convenience store parking lot, had to drain the steering fluid out of the brake lines. Car was raggedy by the time I came along, but it was an emergency replacement for the Tempo I just had wrecked from under me (this was about 1996, car was an '81). I was amazed at the gas mileage, and even more amazed when I had a wide open stretch of the PA Turnpike ahead of me one day and decided to see just how fast that thing could go (I had the 6-cylinder). The odometer only went to 80, then had a wide expanse back to the pin at '0.' I managed to pin it. If I did the math correctly this was about 120mph, and the car would have gone more if I hadn't chickened out.

[@btrdangerdan2010]

That's so nice of you to help fix your friends car.

[@cassidybb10]

Touching tribute including your neighbor and the help you provided.

[@thomasc4753]

Excellent video! ❤️ Mercury has and will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@OLDS98]

I remember this model. I still see them from time to time. My late uncle had the XR7 coupe loaded with digital gauges and everything. It was the first car I had seen with "electronic " instrumentation. I remember being so fascinated by that. You can see the Fairmont and Zephyr in this model era too. Thank you for the informative video and effort. I think that is great what you did for your neighbor.

[@oldschool8432]

What size engine did your late uncle have in his car? I this the xr7 looks good

[@OLDS98]

@@oldschool8432 I was a child. I do not know. I know he had a V8. After watching this video, I learned it was under powered too.

[@chrismobile422]

I love how trippy these videos are getting!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Another awesome video! I've always found the 1980 to 1982 Mercury Cougar the best looking car Ford produced. I find the XR7 the best looking since the first generation.

[@trainglen22]

I agree. It just looked right and having a small V8 engine in this car was perfect.

[@jason3fc]

Been wondering when we'd see another one! Here it is!

[@remington1608]

My Dad drove an 81 or 82 when I was something like 3 years old in the very early 2000's. It was a 4 door tan brown with tan brown interior. I still remember Dad pulling up to our house when he was home from work and sometimes my Mom would drive it too I still remember riding in the back seat. I miss those days. I would really like to find another one of these one day.

[@anthonybrunotheodd]

A new Tofer video! Puts everything down to watch!

[@jackbaummer9494]

Just last week I bought a 1982 Cougar. Shes a 4 door GS with the 200 in it. It has less than 60k on it. I knew it was a special car, but now I cherish it even more. It breaks my heart the the previous owner clipped her garage, and ruined some of the front clip

[@emeyer6963]

That straight 6 was a great engine.

[@19553129]

Great video of an under appreciated automobile, thanks.

[@BELCAN57]

So shines a good deed in a weary world

[@johnwalsh7256]

Another great video 📹 Tofer.

[@emeyer6963]

Learned how to drive in a 1982 Cougar Villager wagon.New for 82 3.8 V6.Medium French vanilla on the outside with woodgrain vinyl trim.My Dad paid $9200 for it at end of model year against a $10400 window sticker.He regretted it as soon as he bought it and it became the last American made care he bought.It had a ding on the hood from transit damage that was never repainted properly and also a squeeky fanbelt that could never be silenced.Toyota's and Honda's up until the end for him. He sold the Cougar in 89' and next guy had it another 3 years before the headgasket monster reared it's ugly head at about 110000 miles like it did on all 3.8's.Thanks for the memories!

[@danjohnson9926]

Great video. And awesome quarter panel massage!

[@tigercap100]

Good job

[@73twall]

The car I learned to drive in. The forgotten 1981 XR7. Thanks so much for putting this out.

[@branon6565]

I appreciate a channel that doesn't upload Garbage Motors heavy content, and really enjoy the attention to lesser known models, as this vid here highlights....I'm subscribed....🇺🇸✌🏻

[@daleescamilla5128]

Ford Mercury man Back in 1987 my girlfriend my wife now bought an 82 cougar gs four door . I had a 80 t-bird town landau. Sadly, got totaled in a crash. But we still have that old cougar after 33 years. It sits in our back yard since 2004. We can't part with it. Maybe one day we can restore it. We really enjoy our Ford flex limited now, carry all the grandkids

[@STARDRIVE]

Perhaps it didn´t sell well, but I like the Flex. It´s looks are dictated by practicality. A nice blend between an old stationwagon, a minivan and a suburban.

[@JeffHowell]

Ive never clicked on a video so fast! Miss you bro

[@alexandrec9372]

Nice car, would like to Go back to 80s...

[@williamrutkowski]

Wow, what a great video. My dad had a 1981 Cougar.

[@8corymix8]

I'm like a kid in a candy store when i see a new video of yours pop up! Lol. Great to see you again Tofer, great video as usual. Very cool of you to help out your neighbor👍 your Grenada is beautiful, love the 2-tone paint. I share a love of the blue oval as you & live not far from their World Headquarters in Dearborn. Many friends of mine work in the surrounding Metro Detroit plants. Keep up the good work ole buddy, you have an absolute talent. Merry Christmas to you & your family. I wish you much peace & progress sir.

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks so much for all the kind words and Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your family!

[@chrislemaster2695]

Wow the Ford Cougar K Car

[@twinchantillytiffanysbenny8852]

That was very nice of you to help repair that dent. Like you I also love 70s & 80s cars. I have a perfect condition 1979 1/2 Ford ranchero. It was the farewell edition of the Ford Ranchero. Thank you Tofer.

[@TofersCarTales]

My first care was a '79 Ranchero. It was a Brougham edition and two tone, silver and midnight blue. Great car, but learned quickly not to give it too much gas while turning on a dirt road!

[@twinchantillytiffanysbenny8852]

@@TofersCarTales mine is a Brougham also. Mine is orange with tan interior. It’s also a show car, very clean.

[@hawkeye454]

This is going to be so epic! I love these retro car info videos.

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

I had one in 1981. The TBird was about the same. In 1983 very big change. They sold many. I had a 1977 which I traded in 1981. Both was good cars.

[@hawkeye454]

My uncle had a 77 tbird....such a cool land yacht.

[@lbennhtx6072]

Always look forward to your videos! Awesome job as always!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@rob1tnt]

Your theme music gets me way pumped for your videos!

[@TofersCarTales]

I always wonder if it's a bit too much so glad to hear you enjoy it.

[@johnnystephens6329]

Tofer glad to see your back!

[@nickfortunato2938]

I've seen this Granada before but it's my first time hearing the story very cool, I can relate I have a '82 Granada, it was my first car and owned it since new

[@PabloDiaz._.]

Another awesome video by Tofer... I love your work.

[@acemobile9806]

Truly a thing of beauty your Granada is! Love your vids, they always take me back to a better time. You're a damn good man for helping your neighbor like that. Much respect! Still to this day the best car I ever owned was an '87 Fox Cougar. 360K on the 3.8 TBI V6 and ran like a sewing machine. I've heard so much bunk about the Essex 3.8 being a junk motor but my mileage proved otherwise. Put a timing chain on it at 261K, A/C compressor once too but that's it. Who knows, it would probably still be going if some little 15 yo wench hadn't ran a red light & broadsided me. I still miss that car.

[@michaelabeyta2454]

My daily driver is an 81' Cougar (2 door). I have never seen another 80-82 cougar in person. I get a lot of head turns and questions at stop lights/gas. its in very good condition because it sat since 93 in a garage till 2017. 90k original miles. I have driven it from Seattle to SF 3 times with no issues. great car :)

[@hoosierangler7217]

I have a black 1982 xr7 gs cougar with the 302 sbf 😎

[@chickenmuffin]

why on earth are you daily driving this...

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

It's a shame how many cars are just left to slowly rot, everybody just cares for the same 3 old performance models and forgets all about the everyday Joe's car. I personally love these early 80's american boxes, so much personality with such simple design.

[@TheHorsebox2]

Good on you for fixing the neighbour's car. Yours looks great, too. Another lavish video for our delight. Thank you.

[@ghostshadow2956]

Thank you for putting up this video. I felt a little underappreciated with my 1982 Mercury Cougar stationwagon. It was my daily driver for 25 years, from 1992 up to 2016. I still have the car, but it is used for meetings and the occasional fun drive. At meetings most people don't even know what car it is and come to me to ask and talk about the car. It is a nice companion to my 1980 Ford Fairmont Futura coupe, which I have owned since 1987. Both cars are still in beautiful condition, although the Cougar has a little bit more wear and tear, being the daily driver.

[@JuanGarcia-vb3du]

Beautiful Cat Lady cars! The Mercury Cougar and Ford Granada were the most beautiful 1980's cars. I would be heartbroken if I had to let one like these go. Who ever owns one in my opinion is a very fortunate soul. Just love the styling! They look good in any color.

[@loadedfun4764]

My moms Granada sat on a parking lot for the better part of 10 years. 30,000 miles at most…. I tried starting the car up and it erupted into flames 🔥 I was mortified!

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

Hey, so glad to see you back with a fresh new video! The 1980-82 Fox Body Cougar was largely forgotten by many, but I surely remember it. I actually remember that Cougar commercial; it aired during an episode of "Dallas." I have a suggestion for a future video: the General Motors 1982 "A" body cars - the Chevy Celebrity, Pontiac 6000, Olds Cutlass Ciera, and Buick Century. Or how about the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon?

[@vassa1972]

Nice work

[@vipraz119]

Nice video as usual. 👍👍

[@jayburris6252]

Awesome

[@Bubbleskittymaster]

Thanks for letting me know about this car I never heard of a fox body couger and I specialize in the cars nobody knows or cares about.

[@Cheezwizzz]

Love the McGyver repair, you’re one of the good guys!

[@tomlewis3658]

My parents had a 1982 Cougar 2 door, from '82 to '91. It was mostly trouble-free, as I remember, except (typical for the time) the headliner material came loose & sagged, in places. It had the 200 CID 6 cylinder & it was their first car with air conditioning. I don't know when I have seen 1 of these, but definitely not recently. I enjoyed seeing this video.

[@xrmerkur]

I must admit the Mercury Cougar was off my radar too. Without a familiar eye, I totally see how it was just mistaken for a Ford Granada. Actually I liked the Thunderbird from this era most, it was distinguishable with its unique front and rear lighting. That was mighty kind of you to bump out your neighbors panel. I once went to a repair shop that didn’t want to touch my car either, too much trouble and not enough money for the time. Repair shops these days just want to order a part and install with an instructional guide. Plus I learned some repairs are governed by predetermining max fees and estimated hours. If they have to improvise there is nothing to reference. Your Granada looks nice 👍

[@TofersCarTales]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@johna9994]

When I was growing up I really liked the 90'S Thunderbirds

[@xrmerkur]

John A the turbo coupe was the 80’s at its best and the super coupe for the 90’s really brought performance and design in harmony.

[@SagPegasus]

With mine every time I went to get parts people would ask "Is that a Plymouth?" before realizing it was a Ford product.

[@howardkerr8174]

A few of the option packages shown, in the brochure photos, I had no idea even existed. I was not aware, or had forgotten that Recaro seats were offered, and I found that " carriage "/ full vinyl roof covering on the Mustang quite attractive, yet I had no idea that the Cougar offered it. I don't remember ever seeing a Cougar with that option " in the metal ".

[@JuanGarcia-vb3du]

Just love this video. Seen it twice. Was very moved by your efforts to repair your friend's cat. You should do a video about one of my all time favorite cars the Ford Granada. Falcon body 1975-1980 and Fox body 1981-1982. Just love the Fox body Granada!

[@67Bigsby]

Great channel thank you for all your work!

[@nancybarber5008]

Excellent!!!

[@RhinoXpress]

Then the 83's came out and the 82 buyers were like WTF!!!! 😫

[@orzel151]

Love these videos.. intros a blast.. how do u only have 5k subs?!?!

[@highlypolishedturd7947]

Ah, here's Tofer to remind me how cheesy advertising was back then! I'm still recovering from 80's retro shock from the Aerostar video.

[@freedomairconditioner6152]

The compromises made to complete this car, and the fairmont of course, were brilliant. The designers gave preference to passenger space and comfort, while not destroying (not completely) the styling. Complete the car with a solid, reliable and up to date platform(not as cutting edge as gm’s x Cars) and wow the consumer got a great car at a low price. I wish ford would have followed this formula with the 2020 explorer.

[@TofersCarTales]

* Please help this channel grow by commenting, liking or disliking and subscribing if you enjoyed! =] *

[@dmandman9]

My brother bought a 1980 Cougar XR7 to replace his 1974 Model. The 1974 model had a 351CJ engine and got only 15mpg on a good day. So he bought the 1980 in order to save money on fuel. The 80-82 XR7 and T-Birds were not Mercury and Ford’s greatest work. His oil pump went bad and the engine sludged up due to a faulty pcv system (common problem). But a replacement oil pump took care of that. The brakes were sub par. And he had to replace the rack and pinion.. All those were common problems of that era. But Despite those issues, the car soldiered on.

[@andrewps84]

Strangely enough, I didn’t see many of these cars growing up (either the Cougar or the Thunderbird in the Fox Body series); I grew up in a GM/Oldsmobile town (Lansing, MI) so most people owned something GM made. We had mostly Chryslers ourselves but Ford models were few and far between.

[@Jag-leaper]

I literally had no idea an early foxbody cougar existed.....wow

[@shaneleyland1965]

If your friend ever wants or needs to sell her Cougar you have her get ahold of me and I will restore and love it until I am too old to drive. I have much love for old and seemingly forgotten cars of the 80's especially those that were loved by their previous owners and need someone new to love them!

[@dieselfueled_]

Can you talk bout the 2nd generation dodge pickups?

[@reinderkalsbeek4748]

That one laid me off not to mention the peanut farmer

[@thunderbird66613]

My 2nd car was a 1981 Granada. My dad got it for me as a punishment for letting my friend drive my mustang into a pole. I liked they way it drove but was always plagued with engine problems. In the end it was off to the scrapper

[@elizabethcherry920]

I think that the 80-82 Cougar was a very sharp looking car, even the stable mates ie the Granada, and Thunderbird were not that bad looking for these years. I think a Turbo 4cyl was also offered during these years, which would be an awesome find. You have to figure that the power trains that were offered on the Fairmont and Mustang was offered on these models, speaking of Mustang any performance parts for that model would fit any fox body model.

[@tanitank]

If you ever wanted to do a video on the Bronco II, I’d totally shoot some B-roll of my bronco for you

[@TofersCarTales]

I'll keep that in mind, the Bronco II is definitely on my list!

[@trainglen22]

These were nice cars for the time. The Cougar replace the Monarch in Mercury's lineup

[@loadedfun4764]

The Mercury Mclaren ASC was pretty sweet…

[@billmcgowan1712]

What is the opening song from?

[@ryanfontaine6131]

My mother had an 82 Xr7 in beige. With leather seats. I always thought the Center seat controls were a unique design.

[@osofresh503]

Shout out to a Good Samaritan 💯

[@davidpistek6241]

When is the ls7 going in

[@jerrywalters8885]

First car i ever drove was an 81 4 door strait 6 cougar my dad owned got my permit with but he refused to let me have my license. Good memories tho

[@DA90027]

I love my Fox Body 82 T Bird conv. Gets amazing gas mileage is comfy ice cold ac handles well and 25 mpg with the 255 v8 and 4 speed automatic and I love the more 70s boxy styling compared to the ugly cheap generic plastic bubbles they make now they are a work of art.

[@FrankP846]

I think that the Mercury Capri was more a Foxbody than the Cougar from 1979 to 1984. The Cougar was a slightly modified Thunderbird of those years

[@TincatGearhead]

Pretty ironic that the 'new lightweight platform' still managed the same 17 mpg as the original '67 Mercury Cougar with a 289, and yet was about 4 seconds slower in the 1/4 mile. Performance may not have been their focus, but let's face it: nothing on this car looks good, even with beer goggles on. It's a slow, gas-guzzling, slab-sided piece of junk. But Tofer, you did a great job on this presentation!

[@DA90027]

Youre an idiot, my 82 T Bird is comfy ice cold ac and gets 25 mpg with the 255 v8 and 4 speed automatic only a moron would want to hit rod a cruiser, and compared to the ugly cheap plastic bubbles they make now they are a work of art.

[@gene978]

I was 18 years old in 1980 I was ready to buy my first NEW car. After my first ride I purchased at age 15 1972 Delta 88 Royale Hardtop Deep Blue with Lighter Blue Vinyl top. A/C and Power windows. at 17 I bought my Uncles 1973 Caddy Fleetwood Brougham in rootbeer brown and cream color top with the extended Chrome grill with the flying Goddess for the hood ornament. But 8 MPG and $70 a week in gas I realized I could afford a New Car. At age 18 I wanted a personal Luxury car. T-bird? Cutlass? GrandPrix? I pulled into the Big Cities Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Dealership. With the salesman opening my car door upon arriving he had me driving his Demo 1980 Cougar XR-7 with 5K miles on it. The sticker read $9200 with decor group and 2 tone White over bittersweet with the half landau in bittersweet (dark orange red looking color) I thought wow this is the future and 18MPG city and 25MPG HWY. with the 4.2Litre I got 14MPG average. And I traveled 95% highway. This under powered Cougar was more then enough power for me as I was tickled pink it was new. I asked to see the Thunderbird and the salesman said “Tbird is the same Car as the XR-7 but the Cougar had a lot more class. And I bought it. He delivered the car to me at 8pm at my work 40 miles away and took my Caddy in trade. $209.52 a month for 48 months. I kept it 12 months and traded for a New 1981 Bonneville Sport Coupe Landau in Burgandy and Honey comb wheels. Now that was a car. $12,600 and $266 a month for 48 months.

[@thetreblerebel]

That old car will be worth money one day when there isn't any examples of her on the road anymore. Just because it's a Cougar..

[@garbage854]

Cool 😀

[@pt008]

It's ironic the sunroof was a flip-up/removable, and not a power slider - wasn't the 68 Cougar the first American car with a power sunroof?

[@thetreblerebel]

Could you imagine a Cougar on the mondern Mustang body today? Oh it would sell, too bad the Mustang is like 40 grand

[@howardkerr8174]

The Cougar and Thunderbird of this generation get a lot of flak, and I guess it's deserved...until you look at some of the competition, like the Monte Carlo. I think that I prefer the Thunderbird over the Cougar, though, because to me the Mercury is a bit over wrought. By contrast, the Thunderbird could be had with quite minimal " decoration " and looked better for it.

[@drewburk6309]

I always loved these cars. But those of us who do are the minority. These were excoriated mercilessly by the media. I had an '80 Thunderbird, red with white landau top. I'd love to have an '80 Thunderbird Silver Anniversary.

[@Dr_Reason]

5.0 v8 maybe? I think the 289 was long gone.

[@michaelsimko7694]

Those 1980-82 Thunderbirds and Cougars had very bad sales. Once the more aerodynamic design was introduced in 1983, both models were very successful. I know somebody who owns a very rare second generation Granada 4 door. The only thing I like about Ford's 1977-1985 Fox Body cars other than the Mustang, Capri, and more aerodynamic Thunderbird and Cougar is they can make great restomod street cars. I can just imagine a mean-looking LTD or Fairmont with thick, sticky tires and a 450+ horsepower Ford small block.

[@DA90027]

I hated the 83s they looked like a cheap Taurus to me the boxy ones were more of the 70s glam look. ESP looking at them now compared to the ugly cheap generic plastic bubbles they make now

[@UfoDan100]

Ford had a few dud cars from 1980 to 82. Chysler's new K cars were a much better buy. Ford caught up in 1983 with their new T-bird , Cougar and Lincoln Mark 7.

[@sutherlandA1]

Ford really rebadged, retrimmed and restyled the hell out of the early fox body to create a wide range of cars. Still not as bad as Chryslers K platform

[@deanstevenson6527]

🥝✔️

[@chickenmuffin]

tofer in all honesty your channel is not growing because people skip a lot and likely have very high bounch rates. I can tell you are brilliant and put in a lot of effort, but its killing your odds of hitting the youtube algo. try tightening the fox body mustang video i just watched up to 10-12 mins MAX with no long dead air and re-release and it will have a million views I promise. please do camaro next!

[@kippaseo8027]

Ford should have adopted a smart gimmick like Lee Iacocca did over at Chrysler. They should have advertised the cougar as having rich luxurious Corinthian (totally made up word pulled directly out of their assholes) leather.🤣🤣🤣

[@chasechildress2720]

0:20 female joker be like.

[@mr.j2776]

I miss the old color combinations in cars. Everything is so bland now.

[@rodferguson3515]

The 1980-82 models years was a disaster Reagan era, malaise; dolled up Fairmont futura and Thunderbird twin. In 1981 the Cougar (adding insult to injury) was further destroyed the cougar's image by also making it a badge engineering clone of the fox bodied Grenada with a conservative looking four door variant and station wagon along with the dolled up Xr7 Fairmont futura clone of the Thunderbird thus creating mutual insuranced destruction for both the Thunderbird and the Cougar.. image.