Wisconsin-based sizzling rod builders Ring Brothers are recognized for his or her resto mods. Mike and Jim Ring concentrate on taking previous vehicles and revitalizing them with fashionable parts. Their newest challenge is a 1968 Mercury Cougar.

The badge could say “Cougar,” however there is a Coyote below the hood, as in Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8. It produces 460 hp, and drives the rear wheels by a 10-speed automated transmission from a Ford F-150 Raptor.

The automobile obtained a frame-off restoration, with new flooring pans and a brand new transmission tunnel, in addition to a brand new entrance bumper, grille, and badging. A efficiency suspension by DSE was put in, as had been fashionable brakes. The Cougar rides on HRE Collection C1 C103 solid three-piece alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

Whereas a few of Ring Brother’s past builds have had flashy paintwork and closely modified sheetmetal, the Cougar appears largely inventory. The principle giveaways are the aforementioned solid wheels on the surface, the F-150 shifter on the within.

Launched in 1967 as a companion to the Ford Mustang, the Cougar by no means escaped the Ford’s shadow. The Cougar ultimately shifted to a platform shared with the Ford Thunderbird, changing into bigger and extra luxurious within the course of, and was then reimagined once more as a compact front-wheel-drive coupe. That last era ended manufacturing in 2002, and the Mercury model adopted it into oblivion a number of years later.

“We had by no means executed a Cougar earlier than, so this was a enjoyable construct,” Mike Ring mentioned in an announcement. “I like working with new shapes and arising with new concepts. Ring Brothers would usually unveil a newly accomplished automobile on the annual SEMA aftermarket present in Las Vegas, however that wasn’t doable because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Mike Ring mentioned he hopes the automobile will be proven to the general public quickly.