Welcome to the Southern California Cougar Club

A Biography of the Southern California Cougar Club

By Pat Marshall

A small number represented the Mercury Cougar in the early years of the Fabulous Fords Forever exhibition at Knott’s Berry Farm. Each year, the number increased as the word spread. The Cougar enthusiasts were happy to discover the love of the Cougar was shared, and there were actually clubs dedicated to the 67-73 Cat. Unfortunately for the folks In Southern California, the regular meeting ranged from Concord to San Diego and were usually held during the evening. 

In 1993 a small group of individuals with a common interest were to meet at a restaurant in West Los Angeles. They arrived only to find that the restaurant was closed. Undaunted, they convened in the parking lot and proceeded with the meeting, challenged by street noise. 

Mike Brown had sent letters to Mercury enthusiasts in the Southern California area. The assemblage was the result of Mike’s initial effort. Off to a rocky start, there were follow up meeting to decide whether this should be an extension of an existing club or a new one. This hardy band became some of the SCCC pioneers. As in most organization, a few dropped by the wayside, but the momentum has increased. The Southern California Cougar Club has annual paid membership of over 130, with 40 charter members. 

Our first two years were focused on the norms- establishing our charter and by-laws and the election of officers. We also started exchanging ideas on the types of activities and general character of our club. 

191995, we hosted our first all Ford car show. It was quite an undertaking, as the members had zero experience. Eith weeks before the show date, our original site, Anaheim Lincoln Mercury, closed its doors. As the show must go on, the search for a new location was a top priority. Buena Park Lincoln Mercury came to our rescue. On June 11th at 6AM, the show staff arrived at Buena Park Lincoln Mercury to discover the lot reserved for our show was fille with the dealer’s new cars. A relay team started moving the new vehicles to a temporary home. The task was finished as the participants started arriving. 

The show as a great success with 85 entrants, including 29 Cougars. What we lacked in experience was offset by enthusiasm. 

Mustang Illustrate covered the show and gave us a glowing report – to quote “The Southern California Clubs 1st Annual All Ford Show as a resounding success!” We continued to use Bob Wallace’s byline as our show name – CAT SCRATCH FEVER. 

The 1996 show presented us with a new challenge – we planned to use the same dealership; but circumstance prohibited. After many barriers and change of direction we held our show on June 19th at Burch Ford. Now seasoned veterans from last year’s event we moved forward with confidence. 

A different voting system was initiated in the show. We used a booklet with a different colored voting coupon for “First”, “Second” and “Third” place in each class. 

This show too was successful. Participation totaled 75. 

June 8, 1997 returned us to Burch Ford. Still experiencing strong lessons learned, we decided not to have the “dunk tank” of last year. We modified the “voting” booklet to use all white coupons, but identified each place with a black bar or series of bars. First place was one bar, second place was two bars and third was three bars. Participation topped 75. 

Our trophies were unusual. Instead of traditional plaque or pilloried trophy (with or without a car), each trophy was a medallion hung on a red, white and blue ribbon. First place was gold, second place was silver and third place was bronze. They were well received by the winners. 

The 1997 show shirt featured a big “30” with a Mercury Cougar bursting through the zero – our contribution to the thirtieth-year anniversary of our favorite muscle car. 

The Southern California Cougar Club stepped up to the challenge of presenting the 1998 West Coast Cougar Nationals schedule for July 19th, 1998. For the convenience of our show guests, and their Cats, we provided a mobile wash and detail person on Friday night. We hosted a Friday night “get acquainted” session with snacks an a “no host” bar. 

By 10am on show day, we had 103 registered Cats placed and ready for the difficult judging process. It was a double-difficult task, as the cars were judged from all angles and the entries had been polished, buffed, scrubbed and detailed until not a spec of dust remained. The setting was a parking lot, which contained a grassy area and trees. This was definitely an improvement over our last facilities. 

Featured on site were a real disck jochey, Master of Ceremonies, 31 flavors ice cream, clowns, raffle prizes, On the Go Catering and a mobile unit to print show shirts to order (Primrose Lane).

Our show also included various Booths and vendors.

Trophies were awarded at the Saturday night banquet in front of a crowded conference room. The 1998 West Coast Cougar National show was successful in the quantity and quality of the entries, the positive comments from our fellow enthusiasts and the “balance sheet”.

1998 also proved to be an outstanding year in exposure opportunities. On of our member Al Irsael’s 1868 390 XR7 was displayed prominently with the new 1999 Cougar during its debut at the Fabulous Fords Knotts Berry Farm Show. We were also requested to show that same Cougar at the grand opening of the Lincoln-Mercury National Headquarters in Irvine, California. It was only one of four vehicles invited and the only Cougar. Attendees were restricted to Lincoln Mercury top-level management and television/radio personnel. 

Another one of our cats spent one week on display in the National Lincoln-Mercury headquarters showroom. 

We are a family-oriented club with members widely scattered over Southern California. Meetings are held the second Saturday of each month are both informal and a lunch/social event at Chili’s in Cypress (Katella and Valley View). Usually we start with a get acquainted session in the parking lot and then we move inside for lunch and the meeting. The meetings cover old business, new business and some “monkey business” (good natured of course). 

Club activities have included a Palm Springs meet, Laughlin weekend, Las Vegas weekend, joint show in Santa Maria with the Northern California Cougar Club, participation in a Poker Run, a combined club function in San Diego with the San Diego Cougar Club and, of course, holiday parties. We are working on additional activities; some suggestions have been Big Bear Run, picnics, visits to various museums and wildlife sanctuaries. 

Part of the funds from our shows have been given to the City of Hope. Our members also donate and deliver new toys to Su Casa during the holiday season. 

The SCCC also hosted both the 2000 and 2002 Cougar Club of America Western Nationals. One notable mention at the 2002 Nationals was the Tiffany raffle. Yes, we as a club procured and partially restored a 1967 Mercury Cougar and raffled it off at the 2002 Western Nationals. This year saw a total of 113 entered Cougars of all years. 

If you are interested in joining, please contact one of our members, attend one of our meetings (you are not obligated to join) or visit our website at www.socalcougarclub.com.