Abandoned Car of the Week

Seventh-generation Cougar



This 1989/1990 model Mercury Cougar has seen better days and might be hoping for a good home. But chances are good it will continue to be relegated to neglected and abandoned status. The Cougar is a nameplate applied to a diverse series of automobiles sold by Mercury from 1967 through 2002. The seventh-generation Cougar got a new body and chassis in 1989 and was built through 1997. The standard engine in 1989 was a 3.8-liter V-6 making 140 horsepower mated to a four-speed automatic. The 1989-90 models can be differentiated from the later seventh-generation models because of their slightly larger grille.

Post-war Ford is abandoned and neglected



Ford retained the basic design of its 1942 model when it got back into production in 1946 following the end of World War II. One of the few changes was to the grille, a series of horizontal bars. The 1942 Ford had a vertical bar design. And Ford eliminated its low-priced Special sixes, which left it with six- and eight-cylinder DeLuxe and Super DeLuxe models. This 1946 Ford two-door patiently waits beside a road for someone to rescue it from abandonment and neglect. Notice someone has changed out the original hood ornament for a 1950's model. (Photo By Ralph Gable)

Nature's own camouflage



This van was spotted buried in vegetation in the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. We don't know if anyone checked to see what or whom was inside — other than more plant life.
(Photo contributed by Susan Skaggs)

Ford pickup stripped in retirement



This early '90s model Ford F-150 may be gratified that it has been put out to pasture, stripped of most of its necessary parts, after it was horribly desecrated in the last years of its useful road life.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

Mid-60s Chevy pickup rusts away



This mid-60s C10 Chevrolet pickup was discovered rusting away in a small eastern North Carolina town. The 1960 model year introduced the third generation pickup that went through the 1966 model year. The base engine introduced in 1963 was a 3.8-liter140-horsepower inline 6. An optional 165-horsepower 4.8-liter six was available. Chevrolet did away with the curved windshield in 1963, making it easier to differentiate the 1964 through 1966 models. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

Chevrolet needs some love



This 1956 Chevrolet needs some love to get it out of the neglected and abandoned category. It was spotted in eastern North Carolina behind a body shop garage. (Photo by Ralph Gable)

Mountain truck



This early 1950s Ford pickup was found in an abandoned condition enjoying retirement in the beautiful North Carolina mountains.
(Photo by Jim Meachen)

Buick ready for restoration



This neglected 1956 Buick appears to be in restorable condition. Buick sold 153,627 copies in '56 with two V8 engine options making 225 horsepower and 255 hp. Prices ranged from $2,416 to $3,704. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

Watching the season change



This mid-1980s Lincoln Town Car watches another season change from fall to winter in rural  northern Vermont. The Town Car, built from 1981 to 2011, was Lincoln's most popular nameplate. The first generation from 1981 through 1989, came in two-door and four-door formats. The first generation was powered by a 302-cubic inch, 4.9-liter V-8. (Photo by Jim Meachen)