V8 Interceptor
1967 Mercury Cougar
The V8 Interceptor is a project that had been kicking around in my head for a long time. I have always loved the first generation Mercury Cougar and hated that they always seemed to be overlooked in the muscle car world. The Cougar is a sinister looking machine with it’s hidden headlamps and matching sequential taillights, and it’s high-performance racing history is well documented, so it was the perfect candidate to build a serious street machine out of. On top of that, the four-legged Cougar runs down it’s dinner on a daily basis making it one of nature’s ultimate natural interceptors, so building a V8 Interceptor out of a Mercury Cougar is a perfect match.
Of course to call something a “V8 Interceptor” is pretty ballsy. It means that the vehicle has to be able to run down pretty much anything on the street or strip, so the heart of the project had to be STRONG. A Jon Kaase Racing Boss Nine engine with an over-the-top Hilborne fuel injection sticking out of the hood not only gives the look and power that I needed for this project, but it also let me give a subtle nod to the blown Interceptor that Mel Gibson drove in Mad Max, without building a clone or copy.
The biggest reason for a project like the V8 Interceptor though, is to get people to think outside the box on their project, and realize that just because a car may have been built in the 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s, it doesn’t have to stay there... technology wise. And while it may be true that Chevy will never build a ‘70 Chevelle with modern running gear, and Mopar will never build a modern ’69 Roadrunner, that doesn’t mean that YOU can’t... .because THAT is what gearheads DO... .and the world is a better place because of it!
