Mustang IIs seem to be coming out of the woodwork lately but in the car world, these things usually go in streaks. Chevettes, Yugos, Pintos – online car listings seem to ebb and flow like a wandering river. This 1977 Ford Mustang II is powerful and gorgeous and it’s posted here on craigslist in Milford, Massachusetts. The seller is asking $12,500. Thanks to Rocco B. for sending in this tip!
We have seen many Mustang IIs but none quite like this blue beast and/or blue beauty. There’s a surprise hidden under that perfect blue hood. The second-generation Mustang, the Mustang II, was made for a handful of years; 1974 through 1978. There’s typically a lot of debate among commenters as to whether these were real Mustangs and if they’re worthy of having the Mustang name.
There’s an equal amount of chatter among those who say that this car actually saved the Mustang name and there may not be a Mustang today if it weren’t for the Mustang II. Thoughts? This car looks almost like new and the paint appears to be just about as nice as you’ll find this side of a Pebble Beach car. The seller says that this one has a mere 33,000 miles on it and it sure looks like a low-mile example.
If you aren’t into attracting attention with your vehicle, this isn’t the car for you. The color alone will have people staring, not to mention seeing a Ford Mustang II on the street which some people have never seen before. Then you get to the equally-vibrant and perfect interior, beautiful. The back seat looks new and the seller does say that it has been all restored and I’m assuming they mean the entire car, not just the interior. The underside looks solid and clean and there appears to be a healthy coating of some sort of undercoating on most of it. They do say that there has never been any rust on this car, maybe that’s why.
The engine compartment is a thing of beauty, at least as far as being cosmetically clean. It’s hard to argue with a 351 Windsor V8 with a four-barrel carb, a mild cam, headers, and a 2.5-inch exhaust. The optional 302 V8 for this car would have had around 140 horsepower, I’m guessing that this one has at least double that. Any guesses on the HP? Have any of you owned a Mustang II with a bigger V8 transplant like this one has in it?
Gorgeous. Stunning color as well. Never seen such an attractive and desirable Mustang II!
I think the Mustang got a lot of its bad rap because of the Pinto underpinnings and lack of performance. Mid to late 70’s were hard times for the auto enthusiast. Ford turned the Mustang into a gelding but I also agree that it kept the name alive until the Fox body was introduced. You often don’t see sleepers made out of the Mustang 2 but this one gets my vote. Would make a nice daily good weather driver. I’m sure a good 351 with the right tuning would make 300hp. Hard to know what this one would make without knowing the internal specs, type of exhaust. The only change I would make is brake upgrades to match the power and switch to EFI to gain drivability and fuel economy.
I can tell you from experience sleeper Mustang II’s exist. And some even have upgraded suspensions. How do I know? Because some years ago, on one of the few curvy roads around here, I was driving a 2001 Mustang Cobra and came up on a II. The driver decided to put it through its paces and I had to work some to keep up. That II was flat out putting down some power and had handling to match. I never did see it again either…a shame, as I would have liked to have talked with the driver and get some details on his build.
This is nice. Decide to do some not-insignificant but straightforward modifications, and you can end up with a clean and cool and well-performing Mustang II. It still has that transmission-out-of-Park warning sticker; the owner must have started with a clean, low mileage car owned by a “little old lady” — probably a four cylinder (a Marti report would tell us).
WOW!! TWO 351 Mustang II’s on the same day. Blue or green, my two favorite colors! If only they were the fastback! *SIGH* GLWTS!! :-)
Wonder if the slushbox and rear end required beefing up, too? Esp if originally connected to a 4 banger…lots more torque now.
I definitely don’t think it saved the Mustang name at all. If anything, it tarnished it. This car should have been named something else. How about “El Burro”? Tagline would be “Gets the job done… cheaply, eventually, and without style”
Ford did the Mustang name a disservice by putting it on this car. And they knew it.. why else would the call it a Mustang II? They should have just put the name on hiatus, like Chevy did with the Camaro.
I have to admit, that’s a good-looking car. I think it appeals to me more because of the engine transplant. The Mustang II might have saved the Mustang name, but even with the top engine, these were pathetic performers. It looks to be in great shape in and out with an attractive color and the aftermarket wheels look good. If the engine swap was done properly, I think the ask is reasonable for what you’d be getting.
I’d drive it like I stole it.
Had one back in the early 80`s with a 302 and 4 speed. Deadly in the winter time. One little snowstorm and it was hard to get rolling let alone control. Did it though with this and many other rear wheel drives. Should be a part of the drivers road test, RWD and snow, ice, sleet, etc. Aah, the good old days!
I like it too. Change some aesthetics in the engine compartment, add EFI, put a 5 speed behind it and drive it!
Vin, maybe Ford got the idea from Chevy II?
You won’t like this, but IMO, i think Ford should have discontinued the Mustang name from ’79-92.
If you take all the emblems off of this ’77 & a ’79, i bet a teenager today would recognize this as an old mustang, but would not a ’79!! – in fact, he would not even think that ’79 was a Ford! Unless he was into cars & knew the history.
What’s not to like here? 9 inch rear, staggered rear shocks, ez to change plugs!! Struts on the ’79 may be more compact, but the top strut bushings on any car – even toyotas – make noise with age & are expensive to replace. Dodge & Chevy should have looked at this suspension before they designed their current Pony Cars. Their shock towers intrude way too much into the engine compartment!!
IMO, that interior just pops & looks much nicer than anything you can buy today.
The 351 W is the engine to put in this car – about 50 lbs heavier than a 302, but the modern battery here is about 12 lbs lighter than a ’77 one & has more CCA than was avail in ’77. Plus there’s no a/c.
The hood ornament has to go! I don’t think i ever seen one on a II ! Dealer installed?
A number of scenarios:
1. If the ’79 body style was introduced instead of this car in ’74 with the same lowly powered powerplants, would it sell as much as the II?
2. If the ’74 body style was introduced in ’79 with the fox’s motor & rear & trans upgrades over the year, would it not be as popular as the fox?(though Ford would have to make 14 or 15″ wheels standard & increase the size of the wheel openings – especially towards the top.
I wonder if money was spent on restoring that steering wheel. The thicker black sport wheel would be a better choice here, IMO.
What a sweet little sleeper. The build appears to be very well done. One of the few that I think is actually worth the ask if she checks out, but alas – the inn is overfull already.
I think that the hood ornament is perfect. I love it.
If the transmission is original, wouldn’t it be grossly inadequate to handle this engine? Just asking.
Beautiful overall, even better with a third pedal.
It is a C4, so it might not be strong enough, it was used on 6 cylinders and up to 302 V/8. Above that Ford used C6 and FMX transmissions. I think this guy may be a flipper and not much about the build, it was built before he got his hands on it.
This isn’t the first sleeper Mustang II built. Years ago there was one built for a guy in Detroit with a 505 cubic in. engine-built by Jack Roush no less.
https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/newsroom/2018/02/_sudden-death_-big-block-mustang-ii-.html
I have never liked these ,wouldn’t give one a second look. Now, I have to eat my words , because I want this car!
I’ve always liked the Mustang II. I find it way more attractive than what came before it. I’ve never been fond of the 1970-73 Boss Mustang. The only thing I don’t like are the engine choices one had to choose from. a 4 cyl. engine is fine for cars like the Toyota Corolla, or the Datsun B210. But for a car like the Mustang, I would’ve rather had a V6 engine as the base engine, and then a larger V6 engine, and finally a V8 engine.
Same color of my sister’s Mustang II. Hers had a white interior!
That rear brake line!?
Make one to correctly fit.
Great looking for a non-fastback ll…
My roommate had one with a 4 cylinder and 88 horsepower. A lead sled.
Please tell me the hood ornament is not original equipment! Otherwise put some mud flaps and curb feelers to go with it.
We had a 77 Mustang II and it was a great little car, it had the V6 engine with the four-speed automatic with overdrive good gas milage allaround good car.
It is a C4, so it might not be strong enough, it was used on 6 cylinders and up to 302 V/8. Above that Ford used C6 and FMX transmissions. I think this guy may be a flipper and not much about the build, it was built before he got his hands on it.
Mustang II, boredom zero!
This is a good looking car but something isn’t right here!
The ad, the air cleaner decal and the plaque on the dash all say 351 but the aluminum intake is an Edelbrock 289. That intake won’t work on a 351W.
If you look at the engine shot the only thing rebuilt upgraded was the upper intake and carburetor. the stock 302 manifolds and spark plug shields have never been removed from the engine asy. a/c was not including the belt has also not been removed from the brackets no unbolting reinstalling on the braces’ would have shown socket marks on the heads of the bolt heads.
The hood medallion was a 1975 only model year not std on the 76-78 years.
They guy is just flipping the car, he bought it for that purpose only and knows little about it. Not titled in his name, or registered or insured.