Minneapolis Street Sightings: Mercury Cougar sedan

Ah yes, the Mercury Cougar sedan. Thought up in the days where Mercury was still a pseudo luxury brand rather than known only as more expensive Fords, the Cougar spawned both sedan and wagon versions in 1977, which lasted until 1981. Like it's predecessor, it, too was based on Ford's ever popular T Bird. But, the T-Bird didn't offer a sedan or wagon variant like its Mercury sibling. It's odd to see Cougars of this vintage, because while the coupes look fine (yeah sue me, I like big-assed 1970s barges that were considered ugly in their day), the sedans and wagons look.. well I like them, but not as Cougars, yknow?

Anyways back to the Cougar. While it's relatively rare to see any vehicle of this vintage in the cities, it's even rarer to see something as obscure as this. I wasn't only shocked to see the car in general, I was shocked to see it so well kept (for this region at least.) These pictures were taken this past spring, and sadly this example has gained rust spots and heavy front damage. The Cougar script which photographed so well is now gone, unfortunately. It's another case of rare car in the hands of someone who either doesn't know what they have, or doesn't care. :(