ConcoursMustang Forums

Non-Mustang Ford & Mercury Models => Cougar 1967-73 => Topic started by: RoyceP on June 30, 2017, 04:27:29 AM

Title: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: RoyceP on June 30, 2017, 04:27:29 AM
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/classic-cars/rare-finds-could-1968-mercury-cougar-xr7-428-cobra-jet-be-dyno-don-nicholson%E2%80%99s/ar-BBDmzh7?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=ientp#image=BBDmOfm (http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/classic-cars/rare-finds-could-1968-mercury-cougar-xr7-428-cobra-jet-be-dyno-don-nicholson%E2%80%99s/ar-BBDmzh7?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=ientp#image=BBDmOfm)

My car on MSN. Article coming soon in Muscle Car Review too. Thanks to Jerry Heasley!
Title: Re: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: RoyceP on August 22, 2017, 12:14:24 PM
Update - the article appeared in Muscle Car Review this month. Also, there is a book being written about Dyno Don. His family was interviewed by the author in the past few days. They remember a car just like mine, but they could not find any photos of it. The search continues.
Title: Re: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: J_Speegle on August 22, 2017, 07:12:44 PM
Nice coverage Royce !!
Title: Re: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: RoyceP on November 05, 2017, 07:51:12 PM
It's in the paint shop finally. Had to weld new lips on the rear quarters, someone pie cut them and then rolled them. Had it on a frame machine for a 4 corner alignment. Replaced the hood, the old one had mice build nests in the understructure. There was no way to save it.

It's going to be a good one.

(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1123194/fullsize/dscn0485.jpg)
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1123192/fullsize/dscn0483.jpg)



Title: Re: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: J_Speegle on November 05, 2017, 08:18:05 PM
Progress is good. Glad to see your making some Royce
Title: Re: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: RoyceP on January 10, 2018, 08:23:37 AM
Making progress and the workmanship is very impressive t behold!

This is the left rear quarter / sail panel area. Looked pretty good when I peeled off the vinyl top right?
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126731/fullsize/dscn0487.jpg)

But then while sanding the car down to bare metal we find this:
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126734/fullsize/paintshop8.jpg)

Which got fixed with new steel:
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126735/fullsize/lh-rear-quarter-patch.jpg)

After a lot more work it's almost ready for primer:
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126730/fullsize/imagejpeg_0.jpg)
Title: Re: 1968 XR-7 3.91 TL 428CJ
Post by: RoyceP on January 10, 2018, 08:27:59 AM
The doors were not rusty but there had been a dent pulled the old school way. We had to TIG the holes closed:
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126732/fullsize/rh-door-2.jpg)

After grinding and sanding it's hard to tell where the holes were:
(http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126733/fullsize/rh-door.jpg)

Luckily the car's original sheet metal was all saved except the hood which unfortunately was too far gone. We found one with a matching date code though.
 (http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/1126729/fullsize/img_0385.jpeg)