Mercury Cougar 1973

[Mr Muscle]

After some dozens of cars, I wanted to move on from medium (10-wide) scale to a bigger league. Thats because I began to feel restricted in means of details and maybe some functions. So this Cougar was my first (finished) car in this bigger scale. There is two other cars waiting to be finished.

I think I fared pretty well and I was true to my personal goal to add more details and functions. While 10-wide scale allows quick builds which tend to look okay, this bigger scale allows almost every possible details that are important in cars. For example I was able to concentrate building interiors like they really are, and also add more details to drivetrain department. Of course parts count and building time will increase drastically, seeing finished product is very rewarding.

Together with details there is possibility to add some more functions, like this car has steerable wheels although not connected to steering wheel. It would have been possible in smaller scale too, but then I would had to make compromises with looks and design of engine bay. And engine is something I don't want to compromise at all, I see that as its own special art piece like bodywork of a car. Now with this scale I was able to do them both. And the engine is designed to be easily changeable without needing to break anything except little bit steering arms in this case... Maybe I will release a tutorial of building these engines :)

But one thing that bothers me is that I feel that I am totally dropped out from the community, because I don't try to hide my studs. Seems like modern trends in Lego building really are about hiding studs. While it is more common to see cars with studs in smaller scales, usually bigger cars tend to be studless. Well I like my cars but maybe they could be better in this area...

Some of my thoughts of a triumph into new scale :)

Brickshelf gallery here!

[deAraujo]

WOW! After seeing several pictures of this car I´m impressed with the detail, especially in the front and interior.

Great Job!!

[Blakbird]

To me, the challenge is LEGO car building is making the car immediately recognizable as the make and model it is supposed to be, and you have succeeded wildly in that regard. The visibility of studs or lack thereof is a personal preference, but there is no doubt that this is a Cougar. It helps that the Cougar is an incredibly distinctive car. I[m very impressed with how well you've captured it. I love the grill, the front bumper "cow catchers", and the integrated hood scoop.

I can almost smell the rubber from the smoky burnout.

[JayDuck]

Is that a 460 with dual quads?*

What a great model. Chock full of details, and it really captures the look of the real thing. I really like the fat & skinny tires, headers, duals, and the hood scoop for the 'souped-up' look.

And I wouldn't worry about not hiding the studs. It might be the 'in thing' for some prominent builders, but if you take a look through this thread, it seems like most people (at least the ones who responded to the question) like to see some studs.

*I made that guess before reading the description on brickshelf. In my defense, a 460 is pretty similar to a 429CJ.

Edited February 6, 2010 by JayDuck

[CP5670]

Looks great. I like the look of the engine, especially with those pneumatic hoses.

But one thing that bothers me is that I feel that I am totally dropped out from the community, because I don't try to hide my studs. Seems like modern trends in Lego building really are about hiding studs. While it is more common to see cars with studs in smaller scales, usually bigger cars tend to be studless. Well I like my cars but maybe they could be better in this area...

There is actually an ongoing thread about this. You certainly aren't alone in your building style.

[Mr Muscle]

*I made that guess before reading the description on brickshelf. In my defense, a 460 is pretty similar to a 429CJ.

Heh heh, yes actually Ford big blocks are pretty much all the same, except for valve cover and manifold differencies :)

Well I will probably continue with stud-building because I really cant afford to hide eveything with tiles, and building SNOT seems to be so unpractical..

[vmln8r]

Yay for studs! Great model. Cougar didn't ring any bells, I looked it up on wiki and it looks spot on. The studs really bring it to life - I think it might look one-dimensional tiled over, and I can imagine this as a classic Model Team set from the 80's.

[Badsneaker]

I love it! My friend at work has a 73 Cougar and your rendition looks great!! The engine looks great with the rad hose and v belt. Nice job! The nose, grille, lights and bumper are excellent!!

I agree with VMLN8R, YAY for studs!!