・4.2 Straight Six manual 
・Low mileage 
・British Racing Green 

Mid 1970’s a gentleman called Rick Stevens had the urge to build his own sports car. At the time he owned a 1960’s Jaguar saloon that was going for scrap value. Rick decided to use the Jag’s drivetrain transmission and most important the 4.2 litre straight six jaguar engine. 

Designing a tubular space frame chassis, Stevens constructed it around the heavy engine, transmission and differential to form a lightweight chassis with a powerful engine. The prototype  body was constructed from aluminium. His design inspiration came from the 1950’s Healey Silverstone, the pre-war Frash Nazer TT replica and the Jaguar powered HWM racer. And so in 1976 the first prototype was born and named the Kougar. 

A fiberglass body mold was constructed after the prototype was approved and production was ready to start. Rick realised that there was an abundance of Jaguars sitting in garages and scrap yards. He had enough units to make 315 examples of Kougar Sports. Over the years 60% were supplied in kit form and 40% supplied as a complete Kougar and 20% of those were built with all new parts supplied but Jaguar Cars Ltd.   

The first Kougar produced with the fibreglass body was sold in 1977 and went to America, and a further 5 were shipped to Australia. The first 30 Kougars were produced under the company name Storcourt Wells Ltd, until 1979 when Kougar Cars was formed. 

In 1990 Kougar cars were sold to Trent Engineering in Somerset. Sadly this only lasted 18 months when the company went into receivership. It was taken over by John Killick in 1992 who had an interest in the Kougar since 1982 when he built a Sports model of his own.

This lovely Kougar Sports was built by the factory in 1992 but is registered as a 19th January 1967 because the donor vehicle used was a 1967. The seller has owned the Kougar since 29th September 2000 when it was purchased with just 11,000 miles showing. 

In the 20 year ownership of the Kougar, the seller has only managed to accumulate nearly 3,000 miles in the Sports car. It has seen regular services and oil changes, with the last one in December 2020. Whilst the service was taking place the carburettors were removed, stripped, cleaned and rebuilt to ensure the correct running of the 4.2 litre powerhouse. It’s also worth pointing out that the seller always runs the car on a fuel additive along with unleaded fuel. 

The seller has made the decision, due to the lack of use and also the fact that it's not so easy to get into nowadays, to part with the Kougar Jaguar.

The V5 is present and shows 5 previous keepers.  

Even though the Kougar was built in 1992, the registration date is 1967 (donor car as already mentioned) and the car is therefore tax and MOT exempt. 

There is a nice spot of bedtime reading that includes a folder full of receipts and invoices, documenting parts and work carried out to the Kougar Sport.

Inside the Kougar is compact, with just the right amount of room to do what you need. The tan leather seat is more of a cover that fits over both seats and the transmission tunnel. This is in good condition with just some age related creases to it. Sit in the driver’s seat and look down to the sides and you can see the tubular spaceframe chassis instantly transports you to feel like you're in a racecar, with carpet covering the floor which shows no real signs of wear.

The steering wheel is a wood rimmed Moto-Lita item, in lovely condition and also a matching wood Jaguar gear knob. The original leather steering wheel will be included with the sale of the car. Onto the dashboard. This is trimmed in green leather and houses a number of switches for lights, wipers etc. The gauges show water, volts, oil pressure and fuel. The seller reports that all the gauges and switches are working correctly.

Rick Stevens certainly did himself proud when he designed the Kougar! Such a stunning shape that doesn’t fail to turn heads, wherever it goes. This 1967 (1992) is finished in the only real colour for a British sports car, which is British Racing Green.  

Starting at the front is the wonderful front grille that dominates the front end and more importantly allowing masses of cold air to be sucked into the engine compartment. The wing edges and front of the car are free from any noticeable chips that we could see. The headlights are chip and crack free and the chrome to the back of the light unit is bright and clean. The bonnet has vents allowing the hot air to escape and the added bonus of allowing you to peer at that 4.2 straight six. It closes well and fits as it should and is held in place with two leather buckle straps.

The view from the side profile of the car can only be described as spectacular. The shape just spells speed! Low ride height, with the impression of a slight amount of rake, it goes fast whilst standing still. The wings and arches are free from chips that we could see. To the passenger side is the exhaust that exits the bay and runs on the outside before going back under the car. This has been wrapped in heat protective material to protect the passengers legs getting out of the car.  The rear of the Kougar is the classic 1950’s race car style, with the petrol filler located on the drivers side and lights mounted in the rear arches.

The car does also come with some wet weather gear that clips on in the event of a shower. This fits as it should and does not have any tears but may need a spot of a clean to bring it back up.  The wheels on the Kougar are Jaguar steel items.  There is an original spare wheel which has never been fitted. The tyres on the car have only seen approximately 300 miles.

Fitted with the tried and tested Jaguar XK engine. The 4.2 litre was officially released in 1964 although racers were boring out the 3.8 to 4.2 for a number of years prior to this. Originally the engine was fitted with triple SU carburettors before later moving to the twin Zenith-Stromberg carbs. The engine produced 246 bhp, which when you put that in something weighing in at less than 1000kg you have certainly got your hands full. The engine is mated to jaguars 4-speed gearbox with overdrive. 

The seller reports that the car pulls well through all the gears and the car goes into overdrive just so smoothly. 4.2 litre exiting through the twin tail pipes certainly makes for a pleasing sound at whatever rpm you may be at. 

The front dampers are made by British manufacturer Spax who are renowned in the racing world. There are no noises that shouldn't be there coming from the suspension, transmission or engine. The seller was keen to point out that driving the Kougar is something so special, it handles so well. He continues to say that nothing flexes on it, you don't get any groans or creaks from the body.

 

1950’s inspired racer and built in limited numbers, with Jaguar’s 4.2 straight six and a manual gearbox, no radio and no other driver assistance gadgets, it is just a pure driving experience car that will reward you on every journey you make. 

Such a cool looking racer that needs a new home, time to step into the world of the Kougar!