A Cougar... "Love of My Life"
- Buddy Faulk
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
1968 Cougar
Owner: Joe Baldwin. Restoration by Faulk’s Classic Car Repair
Some restorations are more than bringing an old car back to life. They become a long-term commitment to preserving the owner’s vision, working through challenges, and paying attention to the small details that separate a restoration from a truly special automobile.
For Joe Baldwin, his 1968 Mercury Cougar is that kind of car—one he fittingly calls “Love of My Life.”
Faulk’s Classic Car Repair began the frame-off restoration on March 1, 2018. The project was completed in 2021 after consuming just over 1,300 hours of labor. The Cougar made its public debut at the Perry, Georgia Auto Fair on April 9, 2022, where those years of work earned it the Most Outstanding Award.
Building a Custom Cougar
The goal was not simply to return the Cougar to factory condition. Joe wanted to retain the character of the 1968 Cougar while incorporating carefully selected custom touches and modern upgrades.
One of the most noticeable body modifications was the installation of Kindig Spoon Style door handles, giving the Cougar a cleaner and more streamlined appearance. The factory side marker lights were also deleted to further smooth the body lines.
Under the hood, the original-style powerplant was updated with a rebuilt 289 cubic-inch V8 equipped with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection. Vintage Air was installed for modern heating and air-conditioning comfort, while AutoMeter Arctic White gauges provide a clean custom appearance inside the car.
The electrical system was completely updated using an American Autowire wiring harness, providing a modern foundation for the Cougar's electrical system and maintaining the Sequential Taillights. A custom black interior completed the cabin while maintaining a look that fits naturally with the car's character.
The Challenge Was in the Body
One of the most difficult parts of this restoration was the sheet metal.
When work began, replacement body panels for the 1968 Cougar were extremely limited. Unlike some of the more commonly restored muscle cars, we couldn't simply order every panel we needed. Much of the rust and damaged metal had to be repaired using handmade patch panels. Each section had to be fabricated, fitted, welded, and metal-finished to restore the body correctly.
At one point, the project was delayed approximately six months while waiting for one of the first reproduction quarter panels to become available. It was frustrating to have the project held up for that length of time, but sometimes restoration work requires patience. Installing an incorrect part or compromising the repair to keep a project moving wasn't an option.
Cardinal Red and Raven Black
Once the extensive metal and bodywork were completed, the Cougar was finished in Cardinal Red, paint code “T,” accented by Raven Black hood striping. Rather than using a conventional chrome finish, the front and rear bumpers were finished in Street Rod Black. The darker bumpers, hood treatment, and black interior provide a strong contrast against the Cardinal Red body and give the Cougar its distinctive appearance. The finished car combines the recognizable styling of a 1968 Mercury Cougar with subtle custom touches that don't overpower the original design.
A Second Chapter
Unfortunately, the Cougar's story didn't end with its award-winning debut.
In May 2026, the car suffered an unfortunate incident that resulted in damage to the front end. Seeing a vehicle damaged after so much time and effort had gone into its restoration was difficult, especially knowing what this particular Cougar means to its owner.
This time, the job wasn't to redesign or improve the car. It was to put it back exactly the way it was.
Jason Floyd of The Speed Shop took on the repair, carefully restoring the damaged front end and returning the Cougar to its original restored condition.
Matching previous custom work can sometimes be as demanding as building it the first time. Body lines, panel fit, paint, striping, finishes, and all of the small details have to come together so the repair disappears into the rest of the vehicle.
The photographs below show the workmanship involved and the Cougar after being returned to the condition it was in before the accident.
More Than 1,300 Hours
A frame-off restoration of this level can't be measured only by the finished paint or the trophies it earns. Behind this Cougar are more than 1,300 hours of disassembly, fabrication, bodywork, mechanical work, electrical work, assembly, adjustment, troubleshooting, and finishing. There were also challenges that couldn't have been predicted when the project began—including waiting months for sheet metal that simply wasn't available at the time.
From the handmade patch panels and custom body modifications to the rebuilt 289, Sniper EFI, new wiring, custom interior, and Cardinal Red finish, every stage contributed to the finished car.
For us, one of the most rewarding parts of restoration work is seeing a car finally leave the shop and knowing what it took to get there.
For Joe Baldwin, however, this one has always meant something more.
It's his 1968 Cougar—“Love of My Life.”
Faulk’s Classic Car Repair: Horsepower & Heritage — Preserving the Past, Sharing the Craft.
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