Would Cougar fans buy as many? in a get-it-while-U-can frenzy? If they made v6's as well as v8's, would those "secretaries"(jk) in need of a Mustang cough up an extra $1000? This way the Cougar & Mustang wouldn't be competing with eachother... Would the Ford dealers secede from the union? or hire hitmen?

Or how about they make v6 Stangs & the special editions BUT Cougar would have the basic v8 (and a v6turbo?)??? And think of the suspense when the next Mustang redo approaches - would they really do it again?

Crazy or BOLD?

proposal:
Build the Lincoln HRL (tighter/tauter MKR) only about 3-4" longer wheelbase than the Mustang. Then every 10 ten(?) years, just as they're getting ready to replace or have a major redo of it's platform, STOP, and build an anniversary Cougar!
(yeah, different sheetmetal is a Must)

That should spike the sales which otherwise may soften as the platform ages. And the next-gen HRL would have some anticipation built up for it, while the Cougar fans scury to get their Cat before it's too late, "If I don't get it now, I'd hafta wait TEN YEARS!?!".

For major effect - don't tell anyone what you're doing! At the Chicago autoshow, unveil the Cougar (NO 'concept') and announce the concurrent opening of the orderbook - first delivery within days!
hint: Might be a good idea to have a few extra HRL's stocked up.