FORD FAN SPOTLIGHT – We love it when you read one of our Ford Fan Spotlight submissions from a proud Ford owner and it inspires you to send in your own Ford story and a couple of photos to ClubHub@Ford.com. But truth be told, as many of our Spotlight submissions come from us finding you and your car than you finding our Ford Fan Spotlight content on FordRacing.com. And that’s exactly how we we’re able to feature Terry Ozima of Berwyn, IL, and his 1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7 this week. Turns out Terry was in correspondence with Anthony Fodera, our Ford Performance Info Center Supervisor, about a replacement Ford Performance part he had ordered, and had sent Anthony a few photos of his car in the process. “It looks to be an ’88 and it is immaculate,” Anthony told us after forwarding us the photos. “I wanted to pass it on to you to see if it is something you would want to highlight in Fast News.” One look and we said YES! When we reached out to Terry and found out he bought his one-owner survivor Cougar new, we knew we had to share it with you. You can just feel his pride and passion come through in his note to us below – enjoy!
“An owner story about a Mercury? Yes – it’s a Ford Motor Company product. (Thank you, Edsel Ford, for the Mercury Division!) As a second-generation Ford guy, I LOVE my black cat! My dad’s car when I was born was a black 1963 Mercury Comet, and his last car was a black 1988 Ford Escort GL. Like father, like son . . . my first car was a used silver 1975 Ford Elite, moving on to a blue 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis. Meeting a tragic collision of the Grand Marquis led me into my 1988 Mercury Cougar XR-7.
“Purchasing it new off the dealer lot in April 1988, I did not think I would own it for this long. Now some 37 years and 88,000 miles later, I’m still very excited to take her on the road and enjoy driving it! With a 5.0-liter matched to an AOD transmission, this Cougar purrs on the highway. This cat is a survivor, “maintained” as an Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) official calls it.
“She is such a fine combination of luxury and sport. Option package 273A has air conditioning, six-way power driver’s seat, power steering, power brakes, sport-grip tilt steering wheel, premium stereo system with six speakers, rear passenger opera lamps, and a 21-gallon fuel tank. XR-7 means sport! With 225/60-R15 Goodyear Gatorbacks (original equipment) on cast aluminum turbine wheels with Cougar center caps, front modified MacPherson struts, rear quadra-link suspension and gas shocks with horizontal dampers, plus front and rear sway bars to keep the wheels planted to the road. The seats are upholstered in scarlet velour, the front with power lumbar and thigh bolsters. Its got the full analog gauge package – speedometer, tachometer, fuel, ammeter, coolant and oil pressure. And it has the mono-chrome exterior appearance package, which was available in black, red or white.
“For the first two years of ownership, my Cougar was a daily driver – going to work, dates (with future ex-wife-LOL), fun with the guys. It’s always been a fun car to drive, and always washed & waxed! After getting stuck in a T-alleyway, a 1979 Mercury Capri was found for my daily rides and chores, and the Cougar became the “weekend fun” car. Taking auto shop in high school taught me how to turn a wrench. Oil changes, tune-ups and minor repairs were not overly frequent due to the Cougar being so well-made. But when work is necessary, the availability of Motorcraft parts keeps her genuine!
“Today, she is taken to car shows and cruise-ins to be displayed and admired. “My mom had an LS” . . . “That was my first car” . . . “You don’t see this kind of Cougar around anymore” . . . “This is clean!” – these are usually the comments I get from passersby. It’s truly heart-warming to hear the memories stirred up, and the love for my car when I show it off. I so enjoy this car – the design, the profile, the comfort, and it’s paid for!
“Years ago, I heard my younger daughter talking to her older sister claiming, “Dad’s never going to get rid of the Cougar!”
“I’m out to prove her right. As the old Lincon-Mercury advertisement said, “Better ideas make better cars . . .at the sign of the cat!”
Here’s How YOU Can Get In The Spotlight: For more than 20 years now, one of the most popular features on FordRacing.com and in our weekly Fast News e-newsletter continues to be "Ford Fan Spotlight," where readers can send in their own reasons why they're fans of Ford Motor Company and its vehicles. You know who they are: Ford "superfans;" grassroots Ford racers; unique Ford vehicle owners; loyal Ford enthusiasts; notable Ford club people; special Ford families; and/or any avid supporter of Ford, Ford vehicles, Ford motorsports, Ford Racing or Ford Performance who deserves a little bit of special recognition.
All you need to do to get you, your car or candidate considered is to send in a brief description (200-500 words or less) and a few photos (in .jpeg format, preferably around 1 mb in size) with the owner’s full name and hometown, please. Just tell us about the vehicle(s) and why you think Ford Racing should feature it (them) in the "Ford Fan Spotlight" for an upcoming installment of Fast News as well as for posting on FordRacing.com. Then email it to: ClubHub@Ford.com with your contact info. Your submission allows us the rights to use your words and images (along with any edits) for editorial purposes; we’ll choose one submission in random order to post online. We hope to see YOU and your Ford story in our Fan Spotlight soon!
