1973 Mercury Cougar
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After the gigantic success of the Mustang, it wasn't long before Mercury got their own version called the Cougar. Starting with the Mustang's platform, they stretched the wheelbase for more rear-seat room and added plenty of luxury features to make it a more sophisticated alternative to the original pony car. At the same time, the car saw success in Trans-Am with Dan Gurney behind the wheel, proving it to be more than a watered-down muscle car. However, its original role was short-lived, with its nameplate being placed on everything from big station wagons to small front-wheel-drive coupes over the next 30 years. The 1973 XR7 Convertible was the last gasp for the original Cougar. At first glance, the giant headlights and grill of the 1971 redesign make the Cougar look big, and the mandatory crash bumpers added in '73 exaggerate this even further. However, the car's wheelbase grew by just an inch, and the body is slightly shorter than a contemporary Mustang, netting a 100- to 200-pound weight advantage over the Ford. Like its predecessor, Mercury didn't skimp on the luxury. The top-of-the-line XR7 was lined with wood-grain paneling and had a range of options, including power leather seats, electric windows,...