Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: Monster Dave on November 21, 2008, 09:44:53 AM

Title: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Monster Dave on November 21, 2008, 09:44:53 AM
Looks like people are doing everything they can these days to replicate exotic cars. Check out this R8 replica made from a Mercury Cougar. Actually, it's not half bad looking. It belongs in the category with the guy who built the Lamborgini from scratch in his basement!

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/Replica-Audi-R8.jpg)

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/Replica-R8-Side.jpg)

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/Replica-R8-Back.jpg)

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/Replica-R8-3-Quarter.jpg)

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/Replica-R8-Interior.jpg)

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/11/Replica-R8-Front.jpg)

If you've never taken a close look at a real R8, I'd bet that this would fool you (until you got a look at the powertrain).

Not bad though!
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Statler on November 21, 2008, 09:56:53 AM
I think it's more in the category of fierro ferraris than the basement lambo.

I don't understand the desire to look like an existing car.   Similar to putting M badges on a 328i...but more expensive.    If you can do the bodywork well enough like this car, why not make the mercury look like something cool all on its own?
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Monster Dave on November 21, 2008, 10:01:47 AM
I've never been a really big fan of kit cars - why put all that time and effort into a car that will never be close to the real thing. In contrast, I like replica cars from movies like Ecto-1, the General Lee, Knight Rider, ect.... those are creative replicas.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: wbeck257 on November 21, 2008, 10:03:09 AM
Does it still drive like a cougar? lol.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: NeufUnSix on November 21, 2008, 12:52:56 PM
Yuck. Reminds me of the Honda Civic with a full M3 body bolted on. It looked exactly like an M3, except it was still a front-drive four cyl shitbox.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Autostrada Pilot on November 21, 2008, 12:56:49 PM
Looks pretty good. I'm a bit of a car nut, but I wouldn't be able to tell the difference (except for the golf cart sized brakes). 



BTW, I hate it when people put "M" badges on a clearly NOT M3.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: teddy037.2 on November 21, 2008, 01:26:15 PM
impressive amount of work, yes.

but, still...

???
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Dana on November 21, 2008, 01:29:35 PM
I'm guessing he started with a more current model like this:

(http://img.motorpasion.com/2007/05/1999_mercury_cougar_eliminator_concept.jpg)

and not this:

(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1984-1988-mercury-cougar-xr-7-1.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: mitt on November 21, 2008, 01:53:53 PM
I had a debate with a coworker along these lines.  He would rather have a subaru that looked like a sti but had the regular impreza engine, while I would rather have a regular looking impreza with a sti powerplant and drivetrain.  Different strokes for different folks.

mitt
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: lethe on November 21, 2008, 02:05:13 PM
Quote from: mitt on November 21, 2008, 01:53:53 PM
I had a debate with a coworker along these lines.  He would rather have a subaru that looked like a sti but had the regular impreza engine, while I would rather have a regular looking impreza with a sti powerplant and drivetrain.  Different strokes for different folks.

mitt
And I'd rather have a rusty old Brat body set on top of all the guts of an STI.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Autostrada Pilot on November 21, 2008, 02:26:16 PM
LOL, my old neighbor had a rusty old brat (insert joke about mom/sister/girlfriend here).
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: superjohn on November 21, 2008, 02:50:45 PM
The only thing about the Cougar that was appealing was the looks. Mine ran like shit, broke a connecting rod at 50K miles and left me with a grudge against Ford that will last until I exit this mortal plane.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: livefastdiefun99 on November 21, 2008, 03:18:01 PM
Why?
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Speedbag on November 21, 2008, 03:18:44 PM
Quote from: lethe on November 21, 2008, 02:05:13 PM
And I'd rather have a rusty old Brat body set on top of all the guts of a totally tweaked out STI.

Fixed.  :)
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: NeufUnSix on November 21, 2008, 07:33:11 PM
Screw the Brat - use a Justy. :D

In the local rally circuit there was a Justy AWD that ran (obviously for fun, not profit). They called it "Super-Justy" (sounds funny in French, anyway), it was dead slow but the driver would stop and tow competitors out of the ditch - during timed stages. Pretty hilarious to watch a little beat up econobox pulling half million dollar cars out of the trees. In the middle of the race.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on November 21, 2008, 07:38:30 PM
Quote from: Monster Dave on November 21, 2008, 10:01:47 AM
I've never been a really big fan of kit cars - why put all that time and effort into a car that will never be close to the real thing. In contrast, I like replica cars from movies like Ecto-1, the General Lee, Knight Rider, ect.... those are creative replicas.

Well for one thing, I'd much rather wrap a kit car cobra around a lamppost than one of the originals. Then I'd just be accused of bad driving, rather than blasphemy.....
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: krolik on November 21, 2008, 10:57:34 PM
Quote from: Monster Dave on November 21, 2008, 10:01:47 AM
I've never been a really big fan of kit cars - why put all that time and effort into a car that will never be close to the real thing. In contrast, I like replica cars from movies like Ecto-1, the General Lee, Knight Rider, ect.... those are creative replicas.

How 'bout the General Ree:

(http://www.dropndrag.com/images/shows/2005/sema/images/IMG_5788.jpg)

[laugh]
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: lethe on November 22, 2008, 04:17:46 AM
Quote from: krolik on November 21, 2008, 10:57:34 PM
How 'bout the General Ree:

(http://www.dropndrag.com/images/shows/2005/sema/images/IMG_5788.jpg)

[laugh]
There's an early 90's Cavalier painted up like the General Lee near where I work. I don't think that shitbox would last too long on the roads of Hazzard County.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Holden on November 22, 2008, 04:56:28 AM
I feel sorry for the people that get fooled by that. I'm sorry, but that's like slapping a Ducati badge on a Hyosung.

And those same people will look at that junk and think Audi makes shit cars. [roll]
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: NeufUnSix on November 22, 2008, 05:38:43 AM
Quote from: lethe on November 22, 2008, 04:17:46 AM
There's an early 90's Cavalier painted up like the General Lee near where I work. I don't think that shitbox would last too long on the roads of Hazzard County.

I can top that. Someone at my university had a Festiva in the Lee colours. Hand painted, with a bucket and rag by the looks of it.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: lethe on November 22, 2008, 07:10:05 AM
Quote from: NeufUnSix on November 22, 2008, 05:38:43 AM
I can top that. Someone at my university had a Festiva in the Lee colours. Hand painted, with a bucket and rag by the looks of it.
[laugh] Nice.
Some guy in my high school painted his car with a roller. If I remember correctly it might have even been house paint.
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: teddy037.2 on November 22, 2008, 09:30:26 AM
wouldn't it be "generar ree"?

[laugh]
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: SP3 on November 22, 2008, 10:36:43 AM
Quote from: superjohn on November 21, 2008, 02:50:45 PM
The only thing about the Cougar that was appealing was the looks. Mine ran like shit, broke a connecting rod at 50K miles and left me with a grudge against Ford Mazda that will last until I exit this mortal plane.

Fixed it.

Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: superjohn on November 22, 2008, 10:45:52 AM
Quote from: SP3 on November 22, 2008, 10:36:43 AM
Fixed it.



Sort of. It was a Ford dealer that tried to blame me for the engine breaking, which really set me off. No Fords for me (including Mazda, Aston Martin, Mercury etc).
Title: Re: DIY Audi R8 built from a Mercury Cougar:
Post by: Raux on November 24, 2008, 12:03:15 AM
actually, it shouldn't be long before Audi lawyers hang this guy up. can't use Audi badges on that thing legally.