The Short Life and Happy Death of Mustang II

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I have a 1977 mustang II Ghia with a 302 V8. It is a great car to drive, and it always turns heads. I had someone in a shelby cobra give me a "thumbs up". I think that they are good cars, and do not get the credit that they deserve. They saved the mustang name in 1974.

Eric of PA 2:14PM November 30, 2009

back in '74 i had a co-worker who owned a red mustang II. i rode in it one time and found it to be stiff and uncomfortable. i can't comment on its performance but i did like the way the li'l thing looked. it did hark back to the earlier days of the 'stang, though smaller. i thought it looked more like a capri than anything else. i hardly see any IIs anymore, but there is a purple one in my town that is being used a planter-box for a body shop - it sits right on main street with flowers and bushes filling its engine compartment.

jim hill of TX 1:18PM May 21, 2009

Its nice to see alot of people sticking up for the mustang II. This was said already but if it was not made we would not have mustangs today they would have dropped the line. This is a very important car in mustang history. I really think they went back to there roots with this car. People like this person who wrote the article make it sound like gm and mopar had such fast cars of that era they suffered also. There arent many mustang IIs around today even though they made tons of them. Most ended up being parts cars for street rods. I still have mine and I enjoy driving it. Every were I go with it I always get a positive reaction.

Chuck of IL 7:51AM April 10, 2009

i know for a fact that the Mustang II is a true head turner,people always come up to me and ask what it is and when they hear that its a mustang that freak...i love mine its fun but i had to dump the 4 banger and got a 347 stroker

Josh of MN 10:39PM April 09, 2009

It is obvious that you know nothing of the automotive industry. the II was in design while your heavy weight mustang was on the new car lots! to suggest that ford slapped the little car together was an insight to show how much you actually know about autos. as an owner of six mustang (currently) and an owner of every other body style at one time or other including the '71-'73 ponies. but none including my brand new one turns the heads like my '77 cobra II white with red stripes does...i am constantly approached about the car any where it goes from men and women alike... so i guess some people do like them!! just a suggestion but next time you do an comparative article know what you are talking about before you print it.

kenneth st clair of KY 7:16PM February 05, 2009

do you remember when the speed limit was 55 on the freeway? what good was it to have a car that had been profiled by cops? the Mustang II saved the name and was the RIGHT car for the times. I still own my 78 2+2 with T-tops and getting 24 mpg in the city! BTW the designer drew up the Mustang II in 1963, just ask Holly Clark in Texas...pumpkin orange!! you forgot a few other colors..do more research before you type next time or get a ride in a Mustang II

Chaz of FL 10:20PM November 29, 2008

read your commentary on the Mustang II. As you mentioned, engine size and horsepower dropped significantly for the Mustang in 1974 compared to previous years. The "wussy" performance was the result of government meddling with the addition of emission controls and low compression which the liberal meddlers thought was the answer to a problem that did not exist. However, this was true for all of Detroit's cars in that time period. The big block, high horsepower models all (not just Mustang) went the way of the dinosaur for the big three car manufacturers. However, the 1974 Mustang II was chosen as Motor Trend's Car of the Year. To imply that it wasn't very popular with consumers is not correct. Sales of the 1973 model were 134,267 compared to 385,993 for the 1974 model, 185,575 for 1975, and 192,410 for 1978. In fact, Mustang II annual sales were similar to or outperformed previous model years, except for the 64-1/2 to 66 models. Based on the numbers, I would say the Mustang II was VERY popular among consumers. But, the Mustang II was not popular among previous Mustang owners who wanted the high performance options of the earlier models. The 1975 Mustang II 302 V-8 produced only 122 HP compared to 135 HP for 1973, 140 HP for 1972, 210 HP for 1971 and 220 HP for 1969. Truth is, performance was on a downhill slide from 1971 and on as Ford struggled to meet Federal mileage and air quality standards. The Mustang II appealed to a slightly different market that was more interested in economy and mileage at a time when gas prices were rising and supplies were dropping. However, the original Mustang introduced in 1964-1/2 targeted the same market with a 170 six-cylinder and a 260 V-8 engine so the Mustang II actually returned to it's original roots. The Mustang II is just as much a classic car and a significant part of the Mustang heritage as any other year, despite the ill feelings of those fans addicted to the high horsepower Boss 302, 351 Cleveland, 428 Cobra Jet and Boss 429. The Mustang II model line lasted the normal 5-year cycle and paved the way for the smaller platform of the Fox, SN-95 and later platforms. The Mustang II actually kept the Mustang name alive in the dark ages of performance. The Mustang II is still popular today because the 1975-78 models will accept the late model 5.0 roller cam, fuel injected performance engines, or with some minor coaxing a 351 Windsor. A high horsepower engine in a light car - isn't that what hot rodding is all about? I would say the Mustang II is a hidden treasure that continues to live on and GAIN popularity.

Marty Sims of AL 4:47PM November 29, 2008

you are a total idiot!!
try looking at other cars of the same years . The mustang II was a great car sold more then the 60's mustangs and had plenty of pep.
I bet you never even owned one or even drove one.
I am so tired of you uneducated people bashing the one mustang that kept the mustang line going for ford.
I mean after all if it wasn't for the great sells of the mustang II there wouldn't even be a mustang today
so if you don't have anything worth saying don't say anything at all.
ricoswavydog

ricoswavydog of AZ 2:16AM November 29, 2008

Just another unintelligent article about a good car. The man is a joke.

Rich of PA 11:44PM November 28, 2008

The Mustang II saved the line when Detroit was throwing models away right and left....
Like the other fellow said.... 3 out of top ten Mustang sellers are II's My 1975... sold to a little old lady from Arkansas lives still.... and the 302 V8 kicks butt! Take a look at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2636557 and see what you are missing!

Paul Foster of GA 8:55PM November 28, 2008