'67 Cougar • Keith Owen Seven Mile, OH
Keith and Thomas Owen at Owen & Sons Street Rods are building the car that Mercury should have built, but didn't. We have to say, the rendering by Kevin Eikelberger really looks like a car that could have been. Keith conceived the Cougar fastback idea sometime back in the late '70s or early '80s, but it wasn't until recently that he decided to really get serious about finishing the car. Plus, it's the perfect project to show off the skills of the fabrication team in the shop. The look they're going for is a Cougar fastback that appears so factory that some people may not even notice it's a phantom car, all while incorporating modern technology. We're pretty eager to see this one come together.
| By The Numbers |
| Engine: |
351ci Windsor, ported 289ci heads with screw-in studs and roller rockers, COMP hydraulic-roller cam, Mallory ignition |
| Trans: |
C-4 or AOD with 2,500 stall converter. |
| Suspension: |
Mustang II-style front suspension with 2-inch drop spindles on a custom tubular subframe, custom-made four-link rear with Panhard bar |
| Brakes: |
disc brakes all around |
| Rearend: |
shortened 9-inch with 3.70 gears |
| Wheels: |
17x7 and 17x11 Magnum 500s |
| Future plans: |
With the availability of the new fastback roof conversion kits from Classic Automotive Restoration Specialists (CARS), there could be more Cougar conversions on the horizon. |
'71 Camaro
Monte and Suzanne Dinnell • Fox Lake, IL
This was actually supposed to be a '69 Camaro convertible since that's what Monte Dinnell's wife, Suzanne, really wanted him to build. But after showing her the sky-high prices and the potential in second-gen cars, she agreed that this '71 would make a nice second choice. The gold beauty came from Sacramento, California, via eBay and was, surprisingly, exactly as the ad stated with no rust or hidden issues. Once the refreshening and upgrading is finished, Suzanne is going to drive it daily during the summer and run the; autocross at the Goodguys event in Joliet, Illinois.
| By The Numbers |
| Engine: |
350ci, GMPP crank and rods, SRP pistons, Brodix IK 200 heads, Harland Sharp roller rockers, COMP cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, Demon 750 carb |
| Trans: |
TH-350 |
| Suspension: |
Heidts tubular control arms, Hotchkis lowering springs, 11/4-inch sway bar, QA1 adjustable shocks, CPP drop spindles up front, Hotchkis lowering springs and CPP 7/8-inch sway bar with QA1 adjustable shocks in the rear |
| Brakes: |
SSBC Force 10 all around |
| Rearend: |
10-bolt with Strange axles, Eaton posi diff, and 3.55 gears |
| Wheels: |
17x8 and 17x11 American Racing Torq-Thrusts Classic |
| Tires: |
275/45R17 and 315/35R17 Nitto |
| Future plans: |
Rather than gold, the Camaro will be DuPont Hot Lava Orange from a '05 Lexus. |