LEFT: The Cougar Special Edition was a dealer-installed package added to a base or LS Cougar of virtually any color. A general trait of the SE is a colored bottom with stripes (usually silver, black or gold) and a non-functional luggage rack. There is usually a commemorative badge on the dash underneath the clock. Similar kits have been seen on Thunderbirds as well.

LEFT: The SE's were sold over a wide area of the United States. It is believed that there were one or two different suppliers of the package to Ford dealers and that explains the slight differences in appearance. However, if you see a Cougar similar to the one at left, it is more than likely some type of Special Edition. A good guess is that the SE package added about $500-1000 to the price of a new Cougar.

1985-86
The Blue Max Edition was very similar to the Special Edition but was only sold in certain parts of the United States, most notably the OH/PA/NY region, and sometimes as far away as AZ, ID and UT. First appearing in the 1985 model year, these Cats featured a silver painted bottom section and a non-functional luggage rack. The 1985-86 cars were all dark blue, hence the name "Blue Max". The blue color and silver paint were the only distinguishing features of this early Max Edition. No special emblems are known to have been installed on them. There was also no dash emblem (left). The only variation was a dealer-installed luggage rack (bottom left).

The 1985-86 Blue Max Cougars seemed to have been based on the GS (base) model, although it's possible that an LS Max could exist. We have heard reports that all Blue Maxes were built on the same day but that information has not been corroborated yet.

1988
As the new body style debuted, the Blue Max moved to the LS model in 1988 (no known 1987 Blue Max models exist). It was once again available in dark blue, as well as newly added light blue metallic. There was now a refinement of the package, with multi-band stripes in the lower silver area, and the addition of red striping where the chrome rub strip would be in the molding. There was a special emblem adorning the instrument panel, just under the clock, to commemorate this edition. And the MERCURY and COUGAR nomenclature on the trunklid and front bumper were red and silver cloisonné. Special cloisonné C-pillar emblems (of which two different types exist) were also produced for the Blue Max Edition. The luggage rack was now black. Overall the entire package lent an air of elegance to the new Cougar shape and was easily distinguished from a distance. In addition, the silver striping went well with virtually all wheels or hubcaps.

LEFT: Newly discovered photos and information have confirmed that it was possible to install a Blue Max package on a non-blue Cougar. Shown at left is a rarity: not only is it a non-blue Blue Max Edition, but it's also an XR7 model, the only one known thus far to sport a Max package. There are no indications that this particular car's emblems and striping aren't legitimate.

LEFT: It is not known how many Blue Max Editions were produced. That makes determining the value and rarity infintely more difficult. However, when it comes to resale value, these cars will hold slightly more value than a comparable base or LS model. It's easily one of the most recognizable Cougars on the road, and the lower silver color really lends to a great-looking road vehicle.

LEFT: Also known as the "Rally Sport", the Cougar RS was adorned with prominent striping around the beltline, and an "RS" decal (reminiscent of the Mercury Capri RS) on the back decklid and on the lower stripes on the doors. The RS model has the distinction of being the only 1983-86 Cougar model besides the XR7 to have factory-installed wide side moldings, instead of the narrow type found on all base models. Most RS models had a chrome luggage rack and/or a factory sunroof. These models seem to have been made only for the Eastern part of the United States. Production total is unknown. The RS package added approximately US $300-500.00 to the price of the car.

Known color combinations:

• White/red stripes
• Red/white stripes
• White/blue stripes
• Blue/white stripes
• Blue/gold stripes

LEFT: Night Cats were usually black in color, with a half-convertible top, gold accented grille, and special cloisonné badges. Of particular interest is the gold "NIGHT CAT" emblem on the front bumper cover, replacing the standard "MERCURY" emblem. A special "NIGHT CAT" emblem adorned each C-pillar with a third version attached to the dash panel beneath the clock. Total production is unknown.

LEFT: A similar (and logical) version is the Black Cat Edition, which again featured special cloisonné emblems on the trunklid, dash and C-pillars. Cars were black with special gold striping and included a special gold-tone molding insert (similar to the 20th Anniversary Edition). It appears that Black Cat Editions did not have the mock convertible top. Total production is unknown.

LEFT: These limited-edition Cats featured a vinyl half-roof, special ornamentation, and a special striping package that were offered to Ford dealers by aftermarket suppliers. They were marketed all over the U.S and Canada and were not limited to the 1983-88 era either; they were produced right up until the 1997 model year. Some examples of City Edition Cougars are the Bostonian, Coloradan, San Antonian, Pittsburgh, and Houstonian. Naturally the cars were sold in the vicinity of the car's city or region name. There were probably many more cities or regions that took part in this series of cars. Total production is unknown but there seems to be quite a few of them around.

This was an interesting find on eBay in early 2004. According to the item description, there were 3 of these cars made in 1987. One was made for the Flyers franchise; one was made for their player, a goalie named Ronald Hextall; and one was custom made for a Flyers fan after he saw one of the other two. Features include a mock convertible top and special Flyers emblems on the windows and fenders. This is a great example of a Cougar being adapted to a local specialty version.

BELOW: A company named E&G from Florida was responsible for selling several different Cougar appearce packages to dealerships. Their main design theme is a vinyl half-top that covers the small side windows almost completely, and also some special badging. Shown below are some of their creations: