Classic Luxury Muscle Car with Modern Performance and Flare – Steve Mellen’s 1970 Cougar
When Steve Mellen decided he wanted a second convertible to share garage space with his ’69 Mustang, he selected a 1970 Cougar. He’s a big fan of Mercury’s Cougar Eliminator package, though he couldn’t just buy one. Mercury only made about 2,200 Eliminators in 1970 – and none were convertibles.
Steve next turned to the team at Painthouse in Cypress, Texas, to create his vision of how a classic luxury muscle car would be outfitted today as a modern pro touring machine. “We strived to achieve a balanced mashup of history, performance, and luxury,” he says.
To create the upgraded body, Painthouse and GAP Industries added custom quarter panel extensions machined by EVOD, smoothed the cowl, deleted emblems, added Kindig door handles, and perfected the panel gaps and alignment. Randy Borcherding at Painthouse worked with Steve to create a modern version of the Competition Gold paint that was on many Eliminators back in the day and came up with a custom PPG hue they called Short Bus Pearl. Contrasting black highlights include the front and rear spoilers as well as the hood graphics.
Powering the 1970 Cougar is a Ford 4.6-liter DOHC V8 that produces 550 horsepower with help from a Whipple 2.9-liter supercharger and Holley EFI. A Tremec six-speed manual transmission directs the power to a Ford 9-inch rearend housing 3.73 gears. Exhaust waste exits through Pypes 2.5-inch stainless tubes and mufflers that are covered in Heatshield wrap.
Improved ride and handling capabilities came in the form of a Detroit Speed Alumaframe front suspension system and a four-link system in the rear, with a JRi hydraulic adjustable ride height coil-over shock system. Baer 14-inch six-piston disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors handle the stopping needs behind a set of custom 18×8- and 19×12-inch wheels machined by EVOD and surrounded by Toyo Proxes tires.
Sculpt Garage in San Marcos transformed the 55-year-old interior using an array of 3D-printed components – the console, dash, radio interface, door panel parts, as well as custom pedals. The interior upholstery utilizes Moore and Giles leather and suede on the custom seats and other soft parts. The dash includes Dakota Digital custom gauges, while a Sparc Industries steering wheel sits on an Ididit tilt column. A Shelby roll bar was installed as well as a 3D-printed convertible top cover and storage rack system.
For Steve, following the project from its initial stages as a vision in his mind through the years-long build process was a rewarding experience. “We held very true to the original concept and the result is a very cool, timeless rendition of something that should have been,” he says.
Photos: John Jackson, Damon Lee
