1/18 Mercury Cougar XR7G Racing 1968 -
J.Hildebrand
Dave Tatum, the original driver and constructor of this car,
worked as the operations manager at Burien Lincoln Mercury.
In 1967, Dave convinced the owner of the dealership that
they should build a Trans Am Cougar. This was not a
difficult argument, as Dave had consulted with Kar Kraft in
1966 on the Ford engine program. During this time, Dave had
worked with such racing luminaries as Jack Roush, Lee
Dykstra, and Fran Hernandez.
In the latter part of the 67 season, Mercury was seeking
help trying to secure the 1967 Trans-Am Championship, and
thus began the semi-factory effort with the Burien Mercury
Cougar. The dealership acquired a special order black coupe,
delivered without the engine, but with the top loader
transmission and nine inch rear end. Dave, with free parts
and technical help from his friends at Kar Kraft, turned it
into a state-of-the-art (for 1967) acid-dipped Trans Am car.
Certain items that Dave used on the car, such as the Watts
link, were later tried on the Bud Moore cars.
SunStar took a huge chance producing
this car. Since it has a very small racing history it is
virtually an unknown car. Who was its audience going to be?
They rolled the dice, and came up with a winner!
The interior is richly detailed, every switch
in the right place and the right color. I was surprised at
the fine level of detail in the switches, and in all of this
detail there is no runs or any over painting drips.
I like the gauge
cluster in this car. This was a car sent from the factory,
built as a "street car". Dave Tatum tried to keep everything
as true to form as possible.
The fire suppression system is
spot on along with the steering wheel and petals. The petals
are copies of the real race version cars petals, most
reasonable cost diecast do not go to such precise details in
this type of car. SunStar just kicked it up a one more
notch, good show!
The tachometer is very clear, with
very crisp printing on the face plate, although it is
missing a RPM needle.
I am pleased that SunStar chose to do so
much work and detail on the underside of the motor...
When you install a fuel cell, SunStar you remove the fuel
tank...Also there should be more bracing on the rear
axel.....
There are a few differences between the
real motor and SunStars copy.The only major flaws I see
under the hood are the alternator looking thing hanging
above the motor along with the angle of the heads/valve
cover arrangement.
Does this have problems, yes, but this is a
pre-production model, knowing SunStar by the time this hits
market it will be improved
Frank
Regards