The Cougar 406: Ford's Forgotten Gullwing Concept Car

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In the automotive landscape, Ford stands as a pioneering force. From the legendary Thunderbird to the Mustang, Ford's innovation has often been ahead of its time. Yet, amidst these celebrated names, one Ford concept car has remained largely hidden from the public eye - the enigmatic Cougar 406, a vehicle that dared to dream beyond the confines of convention.
The Cougar 406 began its journey at Ford in the early 1950s when John R. "Dick" Samsen, a former aerospace engineer, joined the design team. Samsen, known for his future work on the 1955 Thunderbird and later with Chrysler, envisioned a luxury-oriented model to compete with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, a symbol of affluence for the American elite.
Samsen's vision was nothing short of extraordinary. His sketches unveiled a car adorned with aircraft-inspired styling cues, featuring an innovative hood with an opening for a high-deck V8's air cleaner. Most strikingly, he drew inspiration from the German grand tourer, adorning the Cougar with gullwing doors, reminiscent of a sleek bird in flight.
Though Samsen would depart from Ford in 1955, the styling department did not forget his grand vision. A year later, they took the remarkable step of creating a 3/8s-scale model of his ambitious design. However, due to shifting priorities and resource reallocation, the project found itself shelved. Well that was a short video, sorry
Im joking there is more, now while The Cougar's fate seemed sealed as the scale model gathered dust in storage for the following five years. But Ford was on the cusp of introducing the new Gen 2 FE engine, and in a moment of inspiration, they decided to revisit Samsen's striking vision.
The scale model, with original sketches in tow, was handed to Dean Jeffries, a renowned Los Angeles-based custom car builder, with the mission of transforming it into a fully operational vehicle. Jeffries sourced a third-gen Thunderbird chassis, coupled with Ford's brand-new 406-ci (6.6-liter) V8 engine.
To accommodate the longer chassis and align with early '60s design trends, Jeffries introduced several changes to the concept. The result was a stunning creation that retained the core of Samsen's design while incorporating more streamlined curves.
The Cougar exhibited a unique aesthetic, complete with hidden headlights that seamlessly dropped down into the bumper. At the rear, small fins adorned each quarter panel, a tribute to Samsen's original 1954 design. These fins, now housing stoplights, preserved the essence of Samsen's vision. The hotrod-style hood suggested by Samsen was omitted, likely to avoid modifications to the 406 engine.
After the car was fully build The Cougar made its grand debut at the 1962 Chicago Auto Show, capturing the imaginations of the public and the press alike. Its standout feature, the potent 406 engine, was rated at 405 horsepower, thanks in part to three Holley two-barrel carbs.
Later that year, Hot Rod magazine featured the Cougar in its July issue, focusing on its gullwing doors and the powerful V8 engine. The car even graced the magazine's cover under the intriguing question, "Tomorrow's T-Bird?"
Although the Cougar was not meant to replace the Thunderbird or enter production, it did find a place in Hollywood. Repainted a vibrant red, the two-seater co-starred in the 1963 comedy "Under the Yum Yum Tree," where it served as the daily driver for one of the movie's main characters, Hogan, a charming bachelor and con artist. And that’s where everything kinda gets weird.
You see The Cougar's fate after its cinematic appearance remains shrouded in mystery. While it was common practice for carmakers to dismantle concept cars after their useful life had passed, rumors persisted that a wealthy collector acquired the Cougar. Today, however, its whereabouts are a puzzle and nobody knows what happened to the car.

#Conceptcar #Gullwing #Ford