DIY: Man Builds Audi R8 Replica from Mercury Cougar

The thing about replicas is that most of the times you’re more impressed with the effort that went into building one than with the overall result. But in the case of the Audi R8 replica that was made out of a European 2001 Ford Cougar 2.5 V6 by Alberto Gavach Fuertes from Zaragoza, Spain, we must admit that we’re equally amazed with the outcome.

For those that are swift to criticize, bear in mind that Alberto managed to approximate the looks and proportions of a mid-engined sportscar using a front-engined, front-wheel drive coupe.

Sure many will find that some exterior details are either wrongly presented (front spoiler) or missing (tailpipes), or even that the interior of the car, with the exception of the unnecessary ‘R8’ badge on the steering wheel, is all stock, but you have to hand it to this guy for doing a spectacular job.

If you happened to like it then you’ll be pleased to learn that Alberto has put the Audi R8 ‘replicon’ up for sale on his personal site. But here’s the catch: he’s asking a hefty €40,000 (or $50,100 with the current exchange rates) for the car. Now, we’re no used-car or replica experts and even though we lift our hat to Alberto, we find the asking price a tad overboard. True, the real Audi R8 will set you back €121,000 in Spain, but on the other hand, €35,000 will buy you a brand-new TT 2.0TFSI Coupe in the same country. What would you prefer?

And for those of you wondering, the European Ford Cougar Coupe and the U.S. market Mercury Cougar Coupe sold from 1999 to 2002 are one and the same. And neither was a success in its home market, partly due to the coupe’s somewhat controversial -slash bland- ‘New Edge’ styling.