1997 Mercury Cougars


 
 
The
1997
Cougar XR7

Once again the second of the two-year Cougar cycle, 1997 brought some minor changes to the big cat. No major exterior changes were made. The Cougar received 4-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment on all levels.
 
 
The 1996 instrument cluster was 
larger and had more gauges.
 The interior did get a few minor tweaks. A new instrument cluster (nearly identical to the one it replaced) that was smaller and contained fewer gauges was phased in. This also necessitated a new dashboard that looks the same as the one it replaced. A new console plate with integrated cupholders and coin slots was added, and it functioned as well as it looked. This also necessitated a slightly different console as well.

 
 
The Sport apperance package continued into 1997 with some major upgrades. This time, instead of the 15" geometric spoke wheels, the old school 1989-91 XR7 7-spoke 16" rims were once again available. Probably the best looking factory Cougar wheel from the MN-12 era, the Sport model truly became sporty, with the addition of the new factory spoiler with integrated LED third brake light, and lower body striping. Mechanically, the Sport gained larger front brake rotors and a sport-tuned suspension (similar to the Thunderbird Sport and early XR7's).

A new model, the Luxury Appearance model, also appeared for 1997. It had the 15" geometric spoke wheels and the non-functional luggage rack. Essentially, it was the same as the 1996 Sport model.
 
 
Since this was once again an anniversary year, and since Ford had great success with the previous two anniversary models, the 30th Anniversary model became available midway through the model year. This time, Ford put a great deal of thought into the car well before production, so as to not get swamped with orders as they did before. In fact, the 30th Anniversary Cougar was ready so far in advance, its photo and specs were printed in the dealership sales literature for the fall of 1996. Unlike the 20th and 25th Anniversary models, the 30th package could be ordered with the 3.8 V6; previously, only V8 models carried the anniversary package. The Sport option could also be ordered on the 30ths, although all one got was the spoiler, since the Sport suspension was already on the 30th models standard. Unique 16" lacy spoke wheels with 30th logo centercaps were installed as well.

 
The Ultrasuede interior again surfaced, this time with embroidered 30th Anniversary logos. The new logo was also found on the C-pillar and the embroidered floormats. All 30th Cougars had the auto-dimming inside rearview mirror. The 30th Anniversary Cougar XR7 also came with a special commemorative package which included a customer appreciation letter and an umbrella, Mini Maglite car flashlight, Cross pen, dash plate, key chain, and two ignition keys--all featuring the 30th Anniversary logo.
The first run of 30th Cougars was painted a unique color, Dark Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic. Later on in the run of 30ths, two additional colors were added----White Opalescent and Light Prairie Tan. These cars are EXTREMELY rare, as Ford was literally running out of cars to put the 30th package on. Total output of 30th Anniversary Cougars was once again around 5,000 cars.

 

EPILOGUE


Unfortunately, this was to be the last hurrah for the traditional rear-drive Cougar as we knew it. The MN-12 chassis was becoming aged very quickly, and with no major body changes for 9 model years, the Cougar was definitely looking dated. These factors, along with excessive weight, contributed to its downfall. In March of 1997, it was announced to the world that this indeed was the final year for rear-drive Cougar production, and that the Cougar, Thunderbird, and Probe were discontinued at the end of the model year. (At the end of the 1998 model year, a fourth car, the Lincoln Mark VIII, was to become another victim). Ford did hint at a possible future for the big Cat, but it did not sound as if it would be a rear drive model. The strong sales of high-profit vehicles (trucks and sport utilities) literally sealed the fate of the midsize sport coupe market. Ford saw no need to continue the program as sales fell flatter and flatter. And so, very late in August 1997, the last rear-drive Cougar was produced. Even sadder was the fact that the hard-working employees of Ford's Lorain Assembly Plant (where the Cougar and Thunderbird had been built for nearly two decades) learned that the plant would become idled. Some transferred to other plants; some continued on with the Econoline van section of the plant; some were forced into early retirement; some were simply let go. But all, rest assured, fondly remember the great days of the rear drive Mercury Cougar.

ENGINES
Base - 3.8 (232 cid) V6; 145 hp @ 4000 rpm; 215 lb-ft torque @ 2750 rpm
Optional - 4.6 (281 cid) SOHC V8; 205 hp @ 4250 rpm; 280 lb-ft torque @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS
XR7 - 4R70W 4-speed with overdrive

BRAKES
XR7 - Front 10.8 inch disc, rear 10.1 inch disc

GENERAL
Wheelbase - 113"
Overall Length - 199.9
Overall Width - 72.7
Overall Height - 52.5
Cargo Capacity - 15.1 cubic feet
Fuel Capacity - 18.0 gallons

CURB WEIGHT
XR7 (w/V6) - 3528 lb.
XR7 (w/V8) - 3666 lb.

TOTAL SALES
N/A


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