1981 Mercury Cougar from North America - Comments

Original alternator went at 215,000 Km.

Had to replace the front and rear oil seals at 200,000Km.

Carburator had to be replaced at 217,000Km.

The engine and transmission have never been touched in this car, and oil never has to be added in between changes.

It is a very comfortable interior and a nice riding car. With some performance tuning and tweaking, the little 6 cylinder has a good combination of gas mileage and power.

I have an 81 XR7 with the 302 V8 in it with about 300 hp, and the thing flies like no tomorrow. But what I wanna know is how do you think your 6 cylinder 300ci has all the guts an glory? They are very nice cars (my 81 was my first and will stay with me till I die), but good advice would be to chuck the 6 banger and put a V8 in it, and watch it fly!!!

Well in the previous gentleman's defence, he didn't say that his 6 cylinder cougar had all the guts and glory, he just said that it was a nice car, and that it ran well, and had a decent bit of power. He never did mention that his car would be more powerful than a V8. Also if you like the car the way it is, then why mess around with it?? Sure a V8 has more power, but the amount of gas you're going to go through may not be worth it to some people. Personally I'm going to be getting an '81 cougar with an inline 6 and I doubt I'll be changing much more than the stereo, and the battery holder.

I've read most of the comments about the 1981 cougars. I have a 1981 Cougar (non xr7 model) with a 302 ci. in it. I really can't find any parts for it and ever one tells me it's a rare car because it's a 4 door the 302 I have in it is the stock motor it only has like 145 hp. I can't find any thing to beef it up if any one has any info e mail me at blach89@aol.com.

Cougar 4-doors are not particularly rare. They were Mercury's counterpart to the Ford Granada from 1981-1982. A wagon version was also available. Replaced by the Marquis (as distinguished from Grand Marquis, and as sedan only) in 1983.

I believe the 302 on the 1981 Cougar only had around 130 horsepower which isn't very much at all.