好みの自動車デザイン：第21回ーー2ドア・クーペの系譜： 第3回【米国編】マーキュリー・クーガー, 1967（外装色：LT グリーン・メタリック） Mercury Cougar, 1967

• ロングノーズ・ショートデッキ: マスタング譲りのスポーティなプロポーションを持ちつつ、マスタングより約7.6cm（3インチ）長いホイールベース（111インチ）により、さらに優雅で均整の取れた、伸びやかなサイドシルエットを実現しました。
• n

• ｎクリーンなボディライン: マスタングのような派手なサイドスクープ（空気取り入れ口の模造品）を廃し、流麗でフラットなボディサイドに仕上げることで、大人のための清楚な落ち着きのある高級感を演出しています。 
• ｎ

＃主要諸元：

マーキュリーの『ビッグキャット：クーガー』の
ｎ
ｎ

デザイン的特徴は、
こんな感じです。
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ

2、サイドビューと同様に、『幾何学Ⅹ人の手』にて立体化した、完璧な、FR2ドアクーペのボディー造形
ｎ
3、得も言われぬ繊細さと力技でまとめられた、ボディー4隅に配されたナイフブレードフェンダーの力強さ
ｎ
4、すさまじいオーラを放つ、『スッキリ、がっつり』したフロント＆リアのフェイシア・デザイン
ｎ
5、日産のハコスカに多大な影響を与えた？ーーードア横（ボディー横）断面の普遍的な美しさ
ｎ
6、思わず触らずにはいられない、リアウインドウ周りの陥没した立体造形の美しさ！！ーーーーー＞私のツボで、67のクーガーを見るたびに触らせていただきます。（笑）
ｎ
7、360度、どこからどんな高さで見ても、じっと見とれる、『すべてがベストアングル』の強靭な立体造形の権化です！

ｎ

ｎ
ｎ
（ミニカーの通販会社：Toy for Collector さんの企画で、イギリスのウェスタン・モデルさんが製造していた限定モデルです。90年代半ば、各地のカーモデル系のトイ・ショーで見かけましたが、ずっしりとした重み以外には、「もっさりしたキャスティング」が目立って、買うまでは行きませんでした。）

*サンスター製：1/18 ダイキャスト製、マーキュリー・クーガー、1967（メタリックブルー＋黒トップ）

n
n

（ボディー造形、ディテール共に優秀で、赤いボディーのものを持ってました。

ーーーー＞「どこから見ても強靭なデザイン」だということに気付いたのはこの模型を触りまくった結果です。）

n
n
n

（去年イーベイで検索中に、偶然発見しました、ライト・メタリックグリーンに赤の内装が、マッチボックスのクラッシックモデルへのオマージュカラーとなっていまして、思わず買ってしまいました。）

ーーーーーー＞彫刻や、キャスティングが繊細、正確で改造素材として抜群のコストパフォーマンスを誇ります。

n

*三題噺：イチロー、完全な調和、ハイソカー：ソアラ

小型車のセリカや、4ドアセダン系の2ドア盤のみで、

ｎ
N

ともに、完全な調和を達成して

発売と同時に大ヒット, 『モータートレンド』誌の1967年度の
「カー・オブ・ザ・イヤー」に輝きました。

ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ

＊マセラティ―・メラクSS、1975（メタリック・青紫）
（ジウジアーロの抑制のきいた美しさが光る傑作です、どの方向角度高さから見ても均整の取れた『スキ』のなさは、お兄さん格のマセラティ―・ボーラ以上？）

ーーーーーー＞サイドウインドウ後端のせり上がり方が『ジウジアーロ』の専売特許です。

ｎ
ｎ
ｎ

＊オペル・スピードスター / ボクスホール VX220、200１（メタリック・オレンジ）
（ヨーロッパ版GMデザインの面目躍如の、素晴らしく調和のとれた軽量ミッドシップ・スポーツカーの傑作です。）

ーーーーー＞原型となったロータス・エリーゼより好みです。

*Part 21 – The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes: Part 3 [USA Edition] Mercury Cougar, 1967 (Exterior Color: LT Green Metallic)

Miniature car used: (Matchbox, 1/64 “Super Fast” series, Mercury Cougar, 1964) Modifications: Replaced tires and wheels with those from the Greenlight 1968 Cougar model. replaced front and rear bumpers, interior, window parts, etc. with those from Matchbox’s Sky Blue Metallic Cougar, repainted tail lights in reddish brown, applied ink and wash to the underside and shadow areas with a warm gray alcohol-based marker, and finally carefully decorated the window frames and wipers with a plating marker and added gloss with suede cloth.

#Favorite Car Designs – The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes:

For this 21st installment, titled ‘The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes,’ I’d like to discuss luxury 2-door (GT) coupes, where each nation’s character and distinctive exterior design sensibilities are strongly expressed.
[Note: Includes convertibles]

We will proceed as follows.

This third installment is [American Cars Edition]

1967
Mercury Cougar.

[The Lineage of 2-Door Coupes / Future Schedule]

[American Cars Edition]
Part 1: Cadillac Elmirage, 2013 (Metallic Red)
Part 2: Lincoln Continental MK4, 1972 (Black)
Part 3: Mercury Cougar, 1967 (LT Metallic Green)
[German Cars Edition]
Part 4: MB 540K Special Roadster, 1936 (Black)
Part 5: MB 300SL Roadster, 1957 (Silver)
Part 6: MB SLS AMR Gullwing, 2010 (Black)
[British Cars]
Part 7: Jaguar XKR, 1996 (Dark Metallic Green)
Part 8: Aston Martin One-77 (LT Metallic Blue)
[Japanese Cars / Nissan]
9th: Nissan First Generation Silvia, 1965 (Champagne Gold)
10th: Nissan Fifth Generation Silvia, 1988 (LT Metallic Green)
[Japanese Cars: Mazda Edition]
11th: Mazda Cosmo Sport, 1967 (Silver)
Part 12: Mazda Eunos Cosmo, Type-S (Two-tone: Black & Gray)
[Japanese Cars: Toyota Edition]
Part 13: Toyota/Yamaha 2000GT, 1967 (Ivory White)
Part 14: Toyota Second-generation Soarer, 1986 (Two-tone: Black & Gray)
Episode 15: Lexus LC [GWZ100 model], 2017 (Metallic Red)

*The Mercury Cougar ≒ ‘Ichiro’ Theory?

To me,
the Mercury Cougar

resembles

former baseball player

‘Ichiro’!

*Smart and refined,
*Fiercely balanced, supple yet resilient,
*Stoic, concealing its inner passion—

Following Ford’s first pony car: the Mustang,
it emerged as Mercury’s new star—
a meticulously calculated, perfectly balanced design.

The ‘Cougar’
feels like an exact replica.

Regarding this cool, handsome two-door coupe,
‘Mercury’s Big Cat’,

I’d like to proceed
in this manner.

＊Real car commentary: Like the American version of the first-gen Soarer?
＊Exterior Design Features: What is perfect symmetry?
＊‘Me’ and the ’67 Cougar: I almost bought one…
＊Three-word story: Ichiro, perfect harmony, high-society car: Soarer
＊Other cars resembling ‘Ichiro’

＊Real Car Commentary: Like the American version of the first-generation Soarer?

The 1967 Mercury Cougar,

while based on the Ford Mustang, featured a new design that blended more ‘refined luxury’ and ‘European grand tourer’ elements. It won Motor Trend’s ‘Car of the Year’ award that same year. Here we explain the key points of its beautiful sculpted form.
1. Exterior Design:

Long Nose, Short Deck: While retaining the Mustang’s sporty proportions, its wheelbase (111 inches) is approximately 7.6 cm (3 inches) longer than the Mustang’s. This creates an even more elegant, well-balanced, and flowing side silhouette.
n
nClean Body Lines: By eliminating the flashy side scoops (decorative air intakes) seen on the Mustang and finishing with sleek, flat body sides, it creates a refined, sophisticated, and mature sense of luxury.
“Electric Shaver” Grille and Hidden Headlights: Featuring a split grille with vertical chrome bars, this intricate detail—then cutting-edge and iconic—reveals hidden headlights (hidden lamps) when the lights activate, as panels rotate and open.
n
Sequential Tail Lights: Inherited from the Ford Thunderbird, these triple tail lights illuminate in a flowing sequence from inner to outer segments. Vertical bar accents harmonize with the front grille design.

n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
m

m
m

n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n

2. Interior Design:
n
n
“European-inspired” XR-7 grade: The top-tier “XR-7” came standard with simulated wood (woodgrain) dashboard trim reminiscent of British luxury cars, toggle switches, black-based multi-gauge analog instrument cluster, and overhead console.
n
Use of Premium Materials: Even the base model significantly improved quietness and texture over the underlying Mustang, featuring vinyl bucket seats and deep-pile carpeting.
n
Comfort Features: Options typical of luxury cars of the era were available, such as a “tilt-away” steering wheel for easier entry and exit.
n
n
n
3. Historical Background and Positioning:
n
n
n
Bridge Between Mustang and Thunderbird: Developed to target the middle ground (targeting a more mature demographic).
n
V8-Only Engine Lineup: While the Mustang offered inline-6 models, the Cougar maintained its premium status by exclusively featuring V8 engines as standard (289 V8/4.7L) or optional (390 V8/6.4L).
n
n
n

n
n
This 1967 Cougar is still beloved by collectors worldwide as the “most beautiful model” in the Cougar lineage, thanks to its perfect proportions and distinctive front grille.
ｎ
N
ｎ
ｎ

ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ
ｎ

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

#Key Specifications:

Model: 7F91 (First 4 digits of VIN number)
Total Displacement: 6.4 L (390 cubic inches) / 390 CID V8 “Marauder” (GT Package)
Maximum Power: 320 hp

Maximum Torque: 579 Nm (427 lb-ft) @ 3200 RPM

Drivetrain: FR (Front Engine, Rear Drive)

Seating Capacity: 4 passengers
Body Style: 2-door, 4-seat, Hardtop Coupe
Wheelbase: 2,819 mm (111.0 inches)

Overall Length: 4,824 mm (190.3 inches)
Overall Width: 1,808 mm (71.2 inches)
Overall Height: 1,316 mm (51.8 inches)
Curb Weight:

1,470 kg (GT Package)

n
n
n
n
n
n

*Exterior Design Features: What is Perfect Proportion?

In my view,

Mercury’s ‘Big Cat: Cougar’
n
n

design characteristics are like this.
n
n
n
n

1. A flawless side view proportion miraculously fusing geometric measurements with human warmth-filled hand-drawn lines——→ It’s close to the feeling of appreciating perfect numbers.
n

2. Like the side view, the perfect FR2-door coupe body form, three-dimensionally realized through ‘Geometry × Human Hand’.
3. The powerful presence of the knife-blade fenders positioned at the four corners of the body, achieved through an indescribable blend of delicate precision and brute force.
4. The front and rear fascia designs, exuding an immense aura with their clean yet substantial presence.
5. The universal beauty of the side profile (body side) cross-section—did it significantly influence Nissan’s Hakosuka?
6. The irresistible beauty of the recessed three-dimensional design around the rear window—a feature that hits my sweet spot! Every time I see a ’67 Cougar, I just have to touch it. (laugh)
6. The beauty of the recessed, sculpted rear window surround—you just have to touch it!! ーーーーー＞ It hits my sweet spot; I touch it every time I see a ’67 Cougar. (lol)
7. A true embodiment of robust, sculpted form—mesmerizing from every angle, every height, every perspective. ‘Everything is the best angle’!

(This car has endless praiseworthy points, but I’ll stop here…)

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Now, let’s examine each in detail with photos:
n
n
n
n
n
n
1. The flawless side view proportions, a miraculous fusion of geometric precision and hand-drawn lines brimming with human warmth

(Its beauty, its refreshing form defies analysis by the golden ratio. It’s on a different level from other coupes or sports cars. It’s like being able to gaze forever at the face of an unparalleled beauty or handsome man…)
n
ーーーーーー＞It’s almost like pondering or admiring perfect numbers that go on like ‘6, 28, 496, 8128…’.
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
2. Like the side view, the perfect FR2-door coupe body form, realized in three dimensions through ‘Geometry X Human Hands’
(A series of miracles! At each stage of the clay modeling, you can see the fact that ‘definitely the best choice’ was made. Observing Ford Motor Company’s archive photos, the final model of the final design = ‘the actual production car itself sold as a product’ is the finest execution.)
n
————> The ultimate marriage of science and art has been achieved.

3. The indescribable delicacy and sheer power combined in the knife-blade fenders positioned at the four corners of the body
(From the expressionless blades of the Elwood Engel style, through the ’64 Mustang, to the fender design with its exquisite, distinct front and rear contours—it truly resonates deep within. )
n
──────＞While not quite as sharply defined as the ’67 Eldorado, touching the actual blades reveals they are more sharply cut than expected.
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n

4. The front and rear fascia design radiates an intense aura, clean and substantial.
(It’s not just a high-impact lighting design; unless you look closely, it appears as a simple ‘black striped band’.)
n
────────> Conversely, this accentuates the overall sleekness and the powerful, dignified strength of the surfaces.
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

5. Did it greatly influence Nissan’s Hakosuka? —— The universal beauty of the door side (body side) cross-section
(Nissan cars at the time shared the latest American car designs and trends)
n
——————> Perhaps a result of Japanese automakers’ dispatch systems to art centers or CCS?
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n

n

6. The beauty of the sunken 3D sculpting around the rear window—you just can’t resist touching it!!
n
ーーーーー＞It hits my sweet spot, so every time I see a ’67 Cougar, I have to touch it. (lol)
n
n
n

n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n

7. It’s the embodiment of rugged, sculpted form where every angle is perfect—mesmerizing no matter what height or perspective you view it from!
(Honestly, while photographing it, finding an unflattering angle was impossible.)

n──────＞This kind of “strength” resonates with Ichiro-san’s stoicism.
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
*Me and the ’67 Cougar: I loved it so much, I almost bought the real thing…

n

n
n
n
#How We Met:
n
n
n
n
n
I first encountered this car
when I was in elementary school, in a parking lot somewhere in the downtown area, maybe Nagoya Station.
n
n
n
n

It was a metallic green car,
and to my child’s eyes, it looked considerably larger than the Mustangs I had seen before.
(This car seemed to be quite popular in Japan too, as I saw them occasionally after that.)
n
n
n
n
n
n

Even after coming here,
I would occasionally see old, worn-out ones parked or perfectly restored ones at classic car shows, and each time, I would ask to touch them, mainly around the rear window. (lol)
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
#Neighborhood property:
n
n
n

About 30 years ago,
a neighbor suggested I buy a ‘gray, pretty beat-up ’67 Cougar’.
Unfortunately, I was on leave from design school at the time,
had little money to spare,
n
and maintaining an American car with a V8 engine would have been tough,
so I reluctantly turned it down…
n
Even after that, whenever I’d
n
n

*Whenever I saw a ’67 Cougar,
*or saw a magazine feature on one,
n
along with an indescribable sense of fulfillment,
I felt the texture of that welded & pressed section around the sunken rear window
n
n
n

in my ‘palm’.
n
n
n

No matter when I see it, it possesses an unearthly,
robust dignity as a sculptural work.

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n#Sculpted Model:
n
n
n
n
Regarding the sculpted model, it took countless trials before I could match the masterpiece 1/64 scale Matchbox model I used this time, from two years ago.

n
ーーーーー＞ Sorry, it just meant there were no decent sculpted models at all…

n
n
n
N
n
n
n
n

*TFC Company, 1/43 Scale White Metal Mercury Cougar, 1968 (Metallic Blue)

n
n

(This is a limited edition model manufactured by Western Models in the UK, part of a project by the mini-car mail-order company Toy for Collector. I saw it at various car model toy shows in the mid-90s, but aside from its hefty weight, the “clunky casting” stood out, so I never got around to buying it.)

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n

*Del Prado, 1/43 diecast, Mercury Cougar, 1967 (BR Green)
n
N

(The body proportions were excellent, the headlights opened, but the overall detail was rough…)

n
n
n
n
N
N
M
N
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

*Sunstar: 1/18 diecast, Mercury Cougar, 1967 (metallic blue + black top)

n
n

(Both the body sculpt and details were excellent; I owned one with a red body.

────> It was only after handling this model extensively that I realized its design looked rugged from every angle.)

n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

*Mattel Hot Wheels Red Line Edition Mercury Cougar, 1967 (Metallic Orange)
n
n
n

(An early masterpiece from the original ‘Red Line’ series produced by Harry Bradley. It had a pretty nice camper, but… it was destroyed in a fire)

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n

*Matchbox Super Fast: Mercury Cougar, 1967 (LT Green Metallic)
n
n
n

(I found it by chance while searching eBay last year. The light metallic green with red interior is an homage to Matchbox’s classic models, so I bought it without thinking twice.)

ーーーーーー＞The sculpting and casting are delicate and precise, making it an outstanding value for money as a modification material.

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

n

n
n
n
n
n

n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

n

n
n
n
n
n
n
Encountering a wonderful three-dimensional model
can spark the discovery of a new favorite design…
n
n

Moving forward,
I want to keep striving to discover even more great three-dimensional pieces.

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

*Three-theme story: Ichiro, Perfect Harmony, High-So Car: Soarer
n
n

(The three pillars converging in one line—it’s the crystallization of Chief Engineer Okada and Jiro Shirasu’s ‘Grand Tourer Love’)

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n

To wrap up this Mercury Cougar feature,
let’s dive into the three-topic story!
n
N
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
Topics:
n
* Ichiro
* Perfect Harmony
* Jiro Shirasu
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Well~ I hope you’ll indulge me for a moment~
n
n
n
n

Mid-1980s,
n
Amidst the height of the luxury car boom,
n
led by the Toyota Mark II trio,

Toyota, lacking a proper 2-door GT coupe,
n
N

Toyota Motor Corporation, which lacked a full-fledged two-door GT coupe,
had a strong opinion about GT coupes.
n
n
n
n

Under the supervision of Showa-era master Jiro Shirasu,
a team led by Chief Engineer Okada
n
n
n
n
n

*A cabin design where the extended lines of the A, B, and C pillars converge at a single point
n
was invented,
establishing a robust design,
n
and brilliantly fulfilled its role in igniting the second stage rocket of the luxury car boom.

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Times changed~
n
In 1960s America too,
there was a car that ignited the second stage rocket of the ‘Pony Car Boom’.
n
What car was that?
n
The 1967 release:
The Mercury Cougar.
n
n
n

This automobile,
upon its release,
* boasted a well-balanced exterior incorporating European luxury,
* and an interior featuring woodgrain panels,
positioning it perfectly between the Mustang and Thunderbird as a product perfectly suited to the times.

Design Image
Marketing Image

Together, achieving perfect harmony

It became an instant hit upon release, winning Motor Trend magazine’s 1967
“Car of the Year” award.

n
n
n
n
n
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
In America thereafter,
in the year 2000,
n
there was a player who performed brilliantly, serving to ignite the second stage rocket for the full-fledged transition of Japanese players to Major League Baseball.
n
That player was?
n
Suzuki ‘Ichiro’, drafted 4th overall in 1991 by the Orix BlueWave after graduating from Aiko University Meiden High School.
n
n
n
n
n
n
His perfectionism,
n
＊his self-discipline,
＊his obsession with batting theory,
＊his dignified presence,
n
his entire being, personally,
n
n
n

reminds me so much of our 1967 model
Mercury Cougar.
n
n
n
n
n
n
What do you all think?
n
n
n
Come to think of it,
when I saw his biopic,
I recall sensing something Ichiro-like
n
＊in his coolness,
＊and his resilient aesthetic sense
n
from Mr. Jiro Shirasu too.
n
n
n
n
n
n
Regardless of East or West,

is an all-encompassing aesthetic sense
essential for personalities and designs
that endure for posterity…?

n
n
n
n
n
n

Well then, I’ll leave it at that…

n
n
n
n
n
n

＊Other ‘Ichiro-like’ cars:

n
n
n
n
n

Is there any other automobile
as tough and resilient as Ichiro?
n
n

This is what I envision
as an ‘Ichiro’-like design.
Each is a masterpiece boasting a robust three-dimensional form that looks supremely powerful from every angle.

n
n
n
n
n
n

＊Nissan First-Generation Silvia, 1965 (Champagne Gold)
(You can see the ‘hexagonal’ cross-section motif, inspired by diamond cutting, here and there. It’s literally a hard design, yet it truly shows a beautifully harmonized form, resiliently strong from every angle.)

ーーーーーー＞Its dignified, poised stance, undaunted by its short overall length, contrasts sharply with the Fairlady SR331 model sharing the same chassis and engine.

＊Cadillac Eldorado, 1967 (Metallic Orange)
(As mentioned previously, this is a rival to the Lincoln Continental MK series. Despite being front-wheel drive, its side profile proportions feel more rear-engine than the MK4, presenting an intensely assertive presence from every angle.)

────────> The knife-blade elements on the rear fenders look so sharp they’re almost frightening…

＊Maserati Merak SS, 1975 (Metallic Blue-Purple)
(A masterpiece showcasing Giugiaro’s restrained beauty. Its flawless, perfectly balanced appearance from any direction, angle, or height might even surpass its older sibling, the Maserati Bora?)

——————> The way the rear edge of the side window rises is a signature of Giugiaro.

＊Opel Speedster / Vauxhall VX220, 2001 (Metallic Orange)
(A masterpiece of a wonderfully harmonious, lightweight mid-engine sports car, showcasing the brilliance of European GM design.)

──────＞I prefer it over the Lotus Elise it was based on.

Automotive designs that rival Ichiro’s achievements in baseball
aren’t that common,

but I pray this world will continue to produce
diverse automotive designs…

I’ll end this long article here.

Next time, the era
will shift dramatically,

to the 1936 model,
the Mercedes-Benz ‘560K Special Roadster’.

I look forward to sharing more about it.

Stay tuned―

Translated with DeepL.com