Islands in the Stream, that is what we are...
Ouch...sorry about the brothers Gibb lead-in *cringe*
I Bought my basketcase (I need to scan those pics, I really do) in (I think) 1992 or 93. For 1000 bucks. My ex brother-in-law bought it for the 351C that was in it, so he swapped that and the 302 (or what HE thought was a 289 :lol2: ) that was in his '67 Ranchero. So I ended up with a towed-to-my-house, non-street legal basketcase Cougar. I had always wanted one since my across-the-street neighbor got a hot one for his first car in, say, roughly '70 (and MINE has always HAD to be a '67).
Anyhow, after pouring close to 20K into it, I've got a nearly fully restored Cougar worth about 8K (on a good day and selling to a blind man)!!! The only things I HAVEN'T touched yet is the interior upholstery and the windows (several of which I will replace in the coming year or so!). I'm proud to say I've done ALL the work myself EXCEPT (1) putting the posi in the rearend (2) rebuilding the C-4, and (3) the paint. I'm tellin' ya, damn near every part on the car is newer than it's parts were when it rolled off the lot!!! Go ahead, TRY and name something that's not new or painstakingly restored to new condition. I double-dog dare ya!
It's been in over 30 shows (including about 5 Hot August Nights (Reno), and 4 Cherry's Jubilees (Monterey),and MANY more Northern/Central California shows. Ummmm

...ask me if I've ever won anything but a firm handshake and a "special" prize from my wife-to-be *wink,wink,nudge,nudge* :evil:
Anyway, got it slammed a couple years ago in a hit-n-run in a local parking lot *sobbing* but all the metal work is fixed, so I just have to decide what I want to paint it with (we're thinking perhaps a bright purple or something that ghost flames will look good on!).
Anyway, that car has seen some good and bad times with me, almost as many as my 18-year-old cat (Samantha).
Sheesh, it's kinda sad when the longest relationships you've ever had are a car and a cat

- Oh well, my wife and I are fixin' ta change all that...