1987 Cougar LS

Topic: 1987 Cougar LS (Read 1655 times) previous topic - next topic

1987 Cougar LS

November 17, 2005, 11:30:41 AM

Just picked this one up last night. Fully loaded, digital dash, 94K miles, EFI 302.

This is my second Cougar that I've owned. My first one was a '93 XR-7 with a 3.8. Got rid of it because of that stupid 3.8.

I also own a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis. The '88 is my rebuild project.

Sorry for the crummy pics. It's cold out and I was in a hurry. You can see the damage on the drivers' side isn't too bad. Downside is that the car was smoked in. Anyone have any tips on getting that stink out? It's not real bad, but it's there. I'm going to have to give the interior a good scrubbing. Windshield washer fluid isn't working. It handles alright on the slick streets so far.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #1 – November 17, 2005, 11:55:59 AM

To get the smell out I think your best bet would be to shampoo the interior. That's what I had to do with mine after I got it. I took out the console and all the seats and went to town. A few hours later I reassembled everything and the smell has not returned. In the short term, Febreeze works well to eliminate any smells.

How much did you give for the car? I like the color.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #2 – November 17, 2005, 12:53:29 PM

$900 is what I paid.
I called a local business that cleans cars for dealerships. They said anywhere from $50 to $100 to give it a good cleaning and they say it works. I might give that a try if I get some extra cash.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #3 – November 17, 2005, 02:33:13 PM

what worked for me in my red bird after it sat, i pulled the seats out, vaspoogeed it really well, then went and got two box's of Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh, its basically baking soda with a fragrance, and some anti static stuff to help pull out hair and all that, but i used maybe a half of a box on the carpet, maybe more, let it sit over night, vaspoogeed it out, and did it again the next day, brought the seats in the basp00get, and sprinkled it all over the seats, let it side, vaspoogeed it all out, did that twice, and while it doesnt smell like its all fresh, its worlds ahead of where it was

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #4 – November 17, 2005, 04:36:22 PM

Car looks good for it's age :D . A little body work and you're all set. Just to let you know you have an odd option combo in that car. I've never seen a Bird/Cat with dual power seats, automatic climate controll, full digital dash, but no auto dim/auto lamp? That's kinda weird. OOH just saw you have a factory full size spare tire! I wish I had that!

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #5 – November 17, 2005, 04:39:02 PM

Hmm all the upholstry looks to be in really good shape. I still get wierded out when I see these cars without floor shifters, since I am so used to seeing mine. The alt looks new, and did it come with the distributor cover? The insulation on all the hoses looks pretty intact too. And yeah, it doesn't look like it will cost too much to get the dents reworked, or you could prolly find someone here to seel you that quarter panel for cheap. And yeah, like Thunderjet said, you have a weird setup, because you also don't seem to have premium sound, or electronic climate control. Or is the climate control just hidden behind the steering wheel in the pic. Pretty nice buy though.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #6 – November 22, 2005, 12:38:20 AM

Just some quick pics of the 1987 Cougar and 1988 Grand Marquis together. It has a 2.73 open rear end. Rides nice. I wouldn't say it's much quicker than the '88. The Cougar is a 1,000lbs. lighter than the '88, but has 2.73's. '88 is heavier, but has 3.55's. This Cougar is really growing on me. So . . . tempted . . . to . . . mod . . . . I want a trac-lock and 3.73's in back. Dual exhaust. Switch to five bolt axles and put turbines and Cobras on. Must . . . . resist . . . . . GAAHHHH!!!!

Some pics of the body damage.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #7 – November 22, 2005, 09:22:54 AM

Heh, you don't even have to do the five-lug swap to put Turbines on. They're 4-lug and a direct fit. The cobras are also available in 4-lug;)
Car looks pretty good. Blue interiors rock :cheers:

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #8 – November 22, 2005, 09:48:23 AM

Btw, I was able to get rid of most of the cigarette smell out of the car by using an Ozone Machine. Dosed it for 6+ hours. So far it smells pretty clean. I'm sure there will still be some smell left, but at least it's better than before.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #9 – November 22, 2005, 10:43:20 AM

Awesome.

You should seal up that bare metal before the rust gets worse.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #10 – November 23, 2005, 07:37:41 PM

I like the colors too.. Don't like the look of that white powder stuff all over the car - hope that doesn't come my way anytime soon!

Didn't even know there was a full size spare option.. Strange damage to the drivers front fender, the way it starts at the driver door and then fans out too the hood. Somebody key the thing?

Nice 88 also!

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #11 – November 23, 2005, 10:16:37 PM

clean the headliner with one of those spray cans with the scratch pad on it. After I did that you can't even tell anyone has smoked in my car, ever.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #12 – November 24, 2005, 12:24:18 AM

The full-size spare is obviously the original and has never been used. It's a Firestone with all the paint marks and writing on the treads, sidewalls, and rim. The jack looks like it was never used (I'll get some pics of it sometime).

My thoughts on the damage: Barb wire fence over the front fender, fence post caught the rear fender.

The rust repair will hopefully come next spring. I'd like to take a crack at body repair and fix the rear fender, too. I can't believe how much I'm liking this car. I like it better than the '93 Cougar I used to have.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #13 – November 24, 2005, 11:43:09 AM

93's almost feel like a hacked rush (

)compaired the the 83-88 cars. Just sand it down and paint it a similar color before it rusts. I only wish I had some before and after pictures to show you of my car, and it only sat for a couple of months.

1987 Cougar LS

Reply #14 – November 26, 2005, 09:42:52 PM

Finally got the Cougar out of town.