Once again the second of the two-year Cougar cycle, 1997 brought some minor changes to the big Cat. No major exterior changes were made. Mechanically, all Cougars received 4-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment. Power output from the engines remained the same as the previous year.

A workers strike at the Lorain, OH factory in the 1997 model year delayed production of the Cougar and Thunderbird, and this forced Ford to move production to the Wixom, MI assembly plant, home of all Lincolns including the Cougar's cousin, the Mark VIII. This impromptu move also affected production of the 30th Anniversary package. The 11th digit in the VIN number of Wixom-built Cougars is W, while all Lorain cars have an H. At this time it is unknown how many Cougars were built at Wixom in 1997.

The interior did get a few minor tweaks between 1996 (above left) and 1997 (above right). A new, smaller analog instrument cluster was standard. Essentially this new cluster streamlined the gauges and was similar to that used in a Taurus/Sable. The new cluster necessitated a new surrounding dashboard bezel. A new console plate with integrated cupholders and coin slots was also added.

	1997 Luxury Appearance Cougar A new model, the Luxury Appearance model, also appeared for 1997. It had the 15" geometric spoke wheels and the non-functional luggage rack. Essentially, it was the same as the 1996 Sport model. Again, both V6 and V8 engines were available.
	1997 Cougar Sport The Sport package continued into 1997 with some major upgrades. This time, instead of the 15" geometric spoke wheels, the old school 1989-91 XR7 7-spoke 16" rims were once again available. Mechanically, the Sport gained larger front brake rotors and a sport-tuned suspension similar to the Thunderbird Sport and 1989-92 XR7's.
	LEFT: With probably the best looking factory Cougar wheel from the MN-12 era, the Sport model truly became sporty looking, especially with the addition of the new factory spoiler with integrated LED third brake light. Interestingly, the Sport model was available with both the V6 and the V8.
	30th Anniversary Cougar For its 30th anniversary, Ford once again issued a Cougar Anniversary Model. To see more information on this model, click here.

Unfortunately this was to be the last hurrah for the traditional rear-drive Cougar as we knew it. With no major body changes for 9 model years, the Cougar was definitely looking dated. These factors, along with excessive weight, steadily declining sales and the rapid growth of the SUV market, contributed to its downfall. In March of 1997, it was announced to the world that this indeed was the final year for rear-drive Cougar production, and that the Cougar, Thunderbird, and Probe would be discontinued at the end of the model year (at the end of the 1998 model year, a fourth car--the Lincoln Mark VIII--was to become another victim). Ford did hint at a possible future for the Cougar, but as a front drive model. The strong sales of high-profit vehicles (trucks and sport utilities) literally sealed the fate of the midsize sport coupe market. And so, very late in August 1997, the last rear-drive Cougar was produced. Even sadder was the fact that the hard-working employees of Ford's Lorain Assembly Plant (where the Cougar and Thunderbird had been built for nearly two decades) learned that the plant would become idled. Some transferred to other plants; some continued on with the Econoline van section of the plant; some were forced into early retirement; some were simply let go. But all, rest assured, fondly remember the great days of the rear drive Mercury Cougar.

ENGINES	Base - 3.8 (232 cid) V6; 145 hp @ 4000 rpm; 215 lb-ft torque @ 2750 rpm Optional - 4.6 (281 cid) SOHC V8; 205 hp @ 4250 rpm; 280 lb-ft torque @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS	4R70W full electronic 4-speed automatic with overdrive
BRAKES	Front 10.8" disc, rear 10.1" disc
SPECIFICATIONS	Wheelbase - 113" Overall Length - 199.9" Overall Width - 72.7" Overall Height - 52.5" Cargo Capacity - 15.1 cubic feet Fuel Capacity - 18.0 gallons
CURB WEIGHT	w/V6 - 3528 lb. w/V8 - 3666 lb.
PRODUCTION	XR7- 30,267 (approx.) 30th Anniversary - 5,000 (approx.) GRAND TOTAL - 35,267