Escort, Basically what they mean is the "old" cougar platform built until 97 was a rear drive relation to tbird and mustang. The 95-97 contiques are front drive, and used a "pigtail" type front spring and mount, so they are pretty much interchangeable. The 98-up contiques and 99-up cougars front springs are different, but you could use 97 and below springs/struts on those cars as there is a "perch" for the spring that the pigtail spring fits. The newer springs don't interchange because no mating surfaces between new springs and old mounts.... Or something like that. Someone who has done a swap could be much more specific.
