1967 XR7 GT – Restomod

This is an original Red on black 67 XR7 GT with factory 390 and 4 speed. We originally planned on keeping this one and had begun to do some of the body repairs. A good customer of ours decided he just had to have it. Since he owns a collision shop he took over the body and paint portion of the car. We are performing a ground up restoration but going the Pro Turning route since it’s original engine was missing. The car was fairly rust free with only some minor sheet metal repair required. The engine will be a 427 using a cast 390 block, Edelbrock heads and a Borla 8 stack fuel injection system. The transmission is a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed. Baer 6 piston calipers with 14″ rotors will handle the stopping. Steering by Gateway Mustang rack and pinion steering suspension will be supplied by Street or Track. Should be a sweet ride!

Here are three pictures of how we purchased the car in June of 2017. The larger picture is a rendition of how the car will look when completed.

February 2022. The car is complete. Please see the photos near the end of the posting.

Following are progress pictures of the build.

December 2017
The body after plastic media blasting.
December 2017
Engine bay after blasting. Fenders on only for transport. Entire car was blasted.
August 2019
Super thin layer of filler on the quarters. Very minimal rust repairs. All body repairs and paint where done at the owners shop – Blackstone Collision – Federal Way, WA.
November 2019
Final blocking before going to paint.
October 2019
A bit dusty from body sanding but the subframe connectors are in. We also added a right torque box to give the car added strength.
December 2019
Out of Blackstones Collision booth and ready for pickup.
December 2019
Fresh out of the paint booth.
March 2020
Before and after wet sand and buff. Work done by Jason Kilmer and Cameron Benoit.

January 2020
Installed Street or Track front coil over suspension.
January 2020
Street or Track rear suspension installed along with Strange rear differential. We had to make some modifications to fit a Cougar because of the longer wheelbase.
January 2020
Baer 6 piston calipers with 14″ rotors on all four corners.
April 2019
Fully restored leather seats ready for install.
April 2020
The custom dash. Original gauges except for upgraded 8000 rpm tach and amp gauge is now volts. Black is a brushed aluminum finish.
June 2020

Here is the engine on the Dyno. Engine built by Prestige Motorsports in north Carolina.
June 2020

The complete package almost ready to ship.
July 2020
Engine in (without valve covers)

August 2020
Rack and pinion system all in.

Exhaust system installed.




February 2022

From concept to reality.  After enduring months of delays waiting for parts, dealing with a pandemic, and just getting all the details correct we are finally able to introduce out latest build.   We began with an original 1967 Cougar XR7 390,-4 Speed, factory Red with black interior.    Because the original engine was missing we convinced our customer to take it to the next level and make it into one bad-ass machine.   The body and paint were done by the owner who happened to own a paint shop. The exterior is almost bone stock other than subtle trim modifications.  The front spoiler is a one off made of steel.  Under the hood is where all the magic happens. The 427 motor was built by Prestige Motorsports.  They started with a stock ford 390 block and then added all the performance goodies.   Edelbrock head are topped off with a Borla 8 stack fuel injection system with a Billet Specialties Tru-Trac serpentine system.  The engine develops 461HP at 4400RPM and peak torque of 505 ft lbs at 3800 RPM.  Although even at 3000 RPM torque was already at 497 ft lbs.  Cooling is handled by DeWitts aluminum radiator with Spal dual cooling fans.  Power is directed through a Tremec TKO-600 5 speed with power to the wheels going through a Strange 3.50 Tru Trac rear end with Dutchman 31 spline axles.   The all stainless exhaust was built at Chris Holstrom Concepts and goes through Borla Crate Mufflers.  All four corners sport Baer 14” rotors with 6 piston calipers along with a power brake booster and Baer Re-Master cylinder.  Suspension is provided by Street or Track using coil overs up front and their 3-link rear suspension which we modified to fit the Cougars longer wheelbase.  Street or Track also provided the export brace system.  Steering is handled through a power rack and pinion system. Subframe connectors, a right side torque box, inside shock tower reinforcements  were all added to the body to handle the increased power.   The wheels are one off customs made by EVOD Industries.  They were designed to pay tribute to the original style steel wheel design but are now 2 piece all aluminum 18X9.5” in the rear and 18X8” fronts. Take a look at the outer rim which retains the stepped look of a factory trim ring.   Tires are custom Red Lines made by Diamondback Classic Tires.  Headlights were upgraded to electric units provided by Cats Headlights. The interior of the car is mostly stock sporting original style leather seats and original door panels.  The XR7 wood grain dash was redone by Wu Wraps using a black “brushed aluminum” vinyl wrap.  The console is out of a 68 XR7G completely redone in correct leather.  Heating and cooling is provided by the Vintage Air Sure-Fit system. 

The car drives amazing with more power than you would ever need!