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FEATURED MEMBER RIDE

Michael Barlow’s Lime Frost ’67 XR-7

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This Cat’s Tale

“I have owned this 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 since 1982, when I purchased it while stationed at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), in California, my first duty location of my United States Air Force (USAF) career. When I joined the USAF, I sold my treasured 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer and, upon reaching my first duty location after one year of training, I needed a car. Edwards AFB is near a small city called Rosamond, Calif., and that is where I purchased the car from the original owner for $2,300 after seeing it for sale by the side of the road.

The car has been with me and the family ever since. My father became caretaker of the car while I was stationed at Royal Air Force Fairford, in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, for four years (1986-1990), and he drove the car on a daily basis to work, keeping it in working condition. He passed away in June 2026, at the age of 96. He is greatly missed, and I will always be grateful to him for taking care of the car while I served my country.

My USAF career sent me all over the country, and another overseas trip to Germany finally landed the car in my late father-in-law’s care in 1996. He stored the car in Star Valley, Ariz., for the better part of 15 years while I was serving my country. Since I retired from the USAF, it was my dream to one day put this car back to like-new condition, and after three years of work, it is now ready for the open road.

This car has the original paint. However, do not be deceived—under this skin is lurking all new components. The car has been completely rebuilt to include the 289-4V engine sporting a new Holley carb. This is the original 289 the car was born with. When the engine was removed and dismantled, we found it was already .030 over, and I did not want to go .060 over. The solution was to have the engine sleeved to the original 4.000-inch bore and to add a mild Edelbrock cam and hypereutectic pistons for a performance boost. The C4 transmission was completely rebuilt, along with the rear axle. Every system on the car has been either replaced with a new part or the original parts have undergone a rebuild. The entire cowl wiring harness was replaced with a new one that took many weeks to construct in New Hampshire.

In addition, the front and rear suspension is all new, along with performance KYB shocks. The wheels were replaced with 15-inch by 7-inch VN501 American Racing wheels wearing classic BFGoodrich 225-60/R15 tires. The 2.25-inch dual exhaust system is custom made with MagnaFlow 11255 mufflers, providing that classic V8 rumble. A new Stainless Steel (SS) gas tank was installed along with SS fuel lines. All standard steel lines were replaced with SS lines, including brake and transmission lines.

The interior carpet and insulation were replaced, along with the seat covers and padding in the original black leather specifically for the XR-7 model. The interior and roof were sprayed with LizardSkin to provide heat and noise insulation, since this car’s home at the time was Arizona. The black vinyl roof was replaced using a premium vinyl top replacement with a moisture-resistant backing from West Coast Classic Cougars (Part # 12-3000). Being an Arizona car, it was important to refresh the factory A/C system, replacing the compressor and lines along with ensuring all other components were up to the Arizona heat. The factory Tilt-Away Steering Wheel was rebuilt by the West Coast Classic Cougar folks and now performs as well as it did when it left the showroom floor. You name it, this car has had it rebuilt, serviced, or replaced.

Every part of the car has a story attached to it. How difficult it might have been to get a replacement part or to have a part rebuilt. Finding skilled craftsmen to rebuild the tilt steering column, steering box, and brake power booster was a challenge. The tilt wheel is a factory option and required expert repair at West Coast Classic Cougars. They also rebuilt the Midland Power Brake Booster.

Since the car was dismantled to bare bones, this was the time to make any improvements. The front shock towers were a soft spot, so reinforcement plates (Part #12-3008) were welded in to strengthen this area. The Export Brace (Part# 11439) was another upgrade to strengthen the front end of the car.

With the Cougar now with me in Virginia, I have had the opportunity to join the Delmarva Cougar Club, and I’ve participated in the past three Ford Nationals, in Carlisle, Pa. In September 2025, I was invited by club member Roy Mills to participate in a Car Show in Ashland, Va. I entered the Central Virginia Mustang Club Car Show under the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Cars Stock 1951 to 1980 class and to my surprise, won first place.

I enjoy driving the car on weekends and occasionally taking a drive to pick up my grandson from school. Since the car is not a daily driver, I like to pick a place to visit and then go drive there using back roads with less traffic. I have spent way too much money on this car over the past 45 years I have owned it. Most of that cost came during the restoration period; it is not the parts that cost the most, it is the skilled labor and knowledge to repair and put the car back to original condition that cost the most.”

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Notes

Michael has lived in the United States since he was 5 years old, when his family emigrated from England and settled in Phoenix. He’s been in the DCC area since 2001. After his 2004 retirement as a USAF Meteorological and Navigation Systems Technician and Tech Controller Technician, Michael joined the Defense Information Systems Agency as a federal worker in 2004. He retired for good in 2023.

Michael recalled riding on his father’s Honda Goldwing as a teenager to visit a friend for a motorcycle ride. “This is when I first saw up close a ’67 Cougar that belonged to his daughter, and I have loved the lines of the car ever since.” He doesn’t currently own any other classic vehicles, but did own a 1965 Mustang in high school and a 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer after high school. His dream car? A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette split-window coupe.