1963 Ford Cougar II - AllCarIndex

An experimental two-passenger GT car designed in the Ford Motor Company Design Center, the Cougar II has a fastback roof, concealed “pop-up” headlamps, and a businesslike, fully instrumented interior. The one-of-akind unit, with a Fiberglas body constructed in the Design Center fabrication shops, is powered by a 260-cubicinch high-performance V-8 engine.

An unusual feature across the rear of the passenger compartment is an air pressure relief panel, a self-operating gate that opens when interior air pressure exceeds 15 pounds per square inch. The device was incorporated not only because of the extremely high speeds such a vehicle could attain, but also because the roof panel could be designed to be detachable. With the roof panel removed, great pressure could be built up against the fixed rear window at high speeds.

The Cougar II’s lithe, clean design includes a rollover bar integrated into the roof. The front and rear bumpers flow out of the sheetmetal surfaces in uninterrupted lines as natural extensions of the car’s profile.

A unique window-lift mechanism allows occupants to instantly raise or lower the curved side glass to any desired position. A single handle with a spring-loaded tab can be moved up and down on a racheted track in the door panel. When the tab is released, the window is locked in place.

The wood-and-aluminum steering wheel telescopes fore and aft with three inches of adjustment. The car is equipped with Dayton straight-laced wire wheels with knockoff hubs and 6.50—6.70 x 15 special sports car tires.

Wheelbase: 90.0"
Over-All Length: 167.8"
Over-All Height: 47.8"
Over-All Width: 66.6"
Front Tread: 50.5"
Rear Tread: 52.0"
Tire Size: 6.50-6.70 x 15