SM
At the start of the smog-era, the Citroen SM was in its last year of importation to the U.S. The body style was a 2-door fastback. In typical Citroen fashion, the design was strange, but maybe even ahead of its time. The SM was aimed at the personal luxury coupe segment. Its main competitors were the likes of the Mercury Cougar, Buick Riviera, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, etc.

The transmissions were a choice between a 5-speed manual or 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic. Driving those gears was a 3.0L DOHC Maserati V6, which had 3 2bbl Weber carbs. Horsepower was 190, which of course was more than most V8s were making then. Torque was 187ft/lbs, alot less than a typical V8 of the time.

Citroen filed for bankruptcy in 1974, as well as not properly addressing the latest bumper laws. These were two additional nails in the SM’s coffin.

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Montego

Montego was Mercury’s slightly more upscale version of the Ford Torino. Like the Ford, the coupes had a shorter wheelbase (114″) than the sedans and wagons (118″)— a trait that was common even with General Motors intermediates of the day.

A “Sports Appearance Group” option was available, with included a Mach-1 style scooped hood, special trim, leather steering wheel, and full gauges. A sporty- appearing Montego GT was in its last year of offering in 1973. The GT included deluxe wheel covers, sport-type 3 spoke steering wheel, dual ‘racing mirrors’, and twin non function hood scoops. From 1973 to the end of its production run in 1976 engine choices were a 302 2bbl V8, 351 2bbl V8, 400 2bbl V8, 460 4bbl V8. The smallest engine offered was a 250 I6 for 1973. The crown jewels in the performance department were offered up to buyers for the short term. These were the 351 Cobra Jet (til ’74), and 429 4bbl V8 (til ’73).

Law enforcement agencies were briefly offered a Police Package Montego, powered by a choice of 351 2bbl V8, 400 2bbl V8, 460 4bbl V8, or the 460 4bbl Interceptor V8. The Interceptor V8 offered dual inlet air cleaner, high output fuel pump and oil cooler. The Montego was essentially replaced by the Cougar for 1977, since the Cougar then had a full line of body styles.

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Cougar
The Cougar flipped platforms every other year it seems. Up until 1973, the Cougar shared a platform with Ford’s Mustang. A coupe and convertible were both available.

The standard Cougar disappeared from 1974 through 1976. For 1977, the ‘regular’ Cougar re-emerged on the Ford Thunderbird platform. A new 4-door sedan was offered until 1979, although a 2-door coupe was available in ‘regular’ Cougar form. For a touch more luxury, Mercury customers could opt for the Cougar Brougham.

For power, buyers had a choice of a 302 CID 2bbl V8, 351 CID 2bbl Windsor V8, 351 CID Modified V8, or 400 CID 2bbl V8. Engines were carried over to 1978, but the 400 dropped off in ’79.

 
For 1980, the ‘regular’ Cougar took a hiatus, but returned the next model year. It vaguely resembled a Ford Fairmont. Both 2-door or a 4-door bodies were offered in 1981. A third body style was added for 1982 which was a station wagon. Two trim levels were offered over base, which were LS and GS.

Powertrains were as follows…
2-doors & 4-doors: 2.3L I4 (’81), 3.3L I6 (’81-’82), 3.8L V6 (’82), 4.2L V8 (’81).
station wagons: 3.3L I6, 3.8L V6.

 
As of ’83, Cougar shared in the T-bird’s revolutionary redesign. Its shape was slick like the T-bird, but Mercury versions received a notchback treatment. Powering these were a 3.8L V6 or 5.0L V8.

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