Crazy About the Mercury!

Crazy about the Mercury was a classic '50's rock song. The singer was talking about a '49 Mercury Coupe, but it applies to the musclecar era as well. Like the Chevy Nova, the Comet was sold as an economy car, but since they were light and cheap, they made good drag racers. "Dyno Don" Nicholson campaigned a string of Comet racers in the '60's. Seventies models are basically a re-badged Maverick, but that's not a bad thing. "Dyno Don" campaigned Mavericks and Pintos in Pro Stock in the '70's. 289 / 302 models can be really quick, but if you want to be a real badass, I'd swap in a 302 based 347 stroker, or a 351W-based 392 or 427 stroker. The Cougar is to the Mustang what the Firebird is to the Camaro-the better buy of the two. Cougars built from 1967-73 have racy styling, and usually have more cool options than a same-year Mustang. By cool I mean upgraded interiors, factory air, front disc brakes, and bigger motors. Most non GT or non Mach 1 Mustangs of this period have six-cylinder or 289 / 302 motivation. There were no six-cylinder Cougars made- the 289 /302 was standard equipment. A good number of 67-68 models have 390s under the hood, and are substantially cheaper than a same-year 390 Mustang. A lot of 69-70 models have 351Ws or 351Cs as standard equipment, when again, the standard engine in a Mustang was a 200 six. 1960-70 428 "Eliminator" models can be just as pricey as 428 Mustangs however. Most 1971-73 Cougars have 351C power. However, 351C's share the same bellhousing bolt-pattern as the 429 / 460 family, and that makes swapping in those behemoths easy, and makes a great sleeper. The Cyclone/ Montego is basically a Torino/Fairlane. Again, the Mercs are generally more loaded than the Fords, and are usually cheaper. 428 and 429 versions will be pricey, but you can steal a 351W or 351C version. In 1979, and from 1982-85, ( The V8s took a two-year hiatus in 1980-81 ) You could get a Mercury Capri that was basically a re-badged 5.0 Mustang. Again, for some unexplainable reason, they are cheaper than their Ford Mustang cousins. And any aftermarket engine or chassis or brake upgrades that fit a Fox-bodied Mustang also fit these cars. If your a Ford fan, you may want to consider a Mercury. Mastermind