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 its hidden headlamps and matching sequential taillights, and its 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 its 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 Hilborn 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!
Original Manufacturer Specifications
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150,893
1st Year Production - 27,221 being XR-7's
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$2,851
Factory Price
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3,005 lbs
Weight
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111"
Wheelbase
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190"
Overall Length
Paint Code
“We used PPGs 9700 single stage urethane black, then lightly sanded it with 800 wet and then Clear coated with PPGs DCU 2021. I really like using 4 coats single stage urethane then going through many stages of color sanding and buff them out. Awesome shine and the urethane single stage is the same product as the clear just has black pigment in it. It turns out nice and flat with no orange peel and super high gloss. Start with 800 grit, then 1000, 1500, 2000, and finish up with the 3m trizact 3000 grit. Polish with 3m perfect it and a foam polishing pad.“
- Doug LaRue at Hot Rod Institute
V8 Interceptor Guitar
The V8 Interceptor guitar started out life as a one-off Paul Reed Smith custom. Stacey contacted Master Luthier Jonathan McClanahan and got him working on the body and neck. Jonathan also made some real wood dash inserts for the V8 Interceptor that matched the curly maple top of the guitar, and even re-wooded the LeCarra steering wheel to match!
Watch the Episodes
The V8 Interceptor project was a way for Stacey to show viewers how to take a road less traveled and hot rod something a little more unique like a 1967 Mercury Cougar. View all the episodes and watch Stacey build this beautiful car.
V8 Interceptor Partners & Products
Engine
Speedflex hose, aluminum fittings