Surely, standing before the Cougar statue, you’re probably wondering about its story. This isn’t just any statue. It’s a piece of roadside Americana with a surprising history.
These Cougar statues were created in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Westside Fiberglass of Greensboro made them. The statues were for Lincoln Mercury dealerships. About 14 of these fiberglass felines were produced.
Each Cougar statue stands approximately 16 feet tall. They are made of polystyrene. This is covered with fiberglass. That makes them durable enough to withstand the elements.
The Cougar in Temple Hills, MD, was once on the roof of a Lincoln Mercury dealership. It was there around 1971. Even after the dealership became a Kia dealer, the Cougar remained.
Another Cougar in Zebulon, NC, once perched atop a Raleigh dealership. It’s now on a trailer. The Cougar has seen better days.
Cincinnati’s Cougar had been on the roof of Stillpass Lincoln-Mercury since around 1968. It was removed in 1988 and eventually sold on eBay. It is now located at Auto Joe’s Inc.
Indianapolis’ Cougar faced some drama. It was installed on the roof of Crossroads Lincoln Mercury in 1974. The dealership would dress it up for holidays. Someone even shot it with arrows.
The Cougar was moved to Greenfield-Central High School after the dealership closed. The school mascot is the Cougars. It found a new home there.
So, the Cougar statue represents a unique slice of advertising history. It connects to a time when businesses used oversized roadside attractions to lure in customers. The Cougar statue links us to the open road. It reminds us of classic American dealerships. It’s more than a statue. It’s a symbol of an era.
Think about the families who saw these Cougars on road trips. Imagine the excitement of spotting one from miles away. They were landmarks. These statues signaled that you were close to town.
Next time you pass a Cougar statue, remember its journey. This Cougar has traveled. It has stories to tell.