It’s rainin’ Mustang IIs in here at One Barn Finds Tower! I can’t speak for my cohorts here in the press room, right next to the lunchroom where Todd’s always hanging out eating the last of the donuts from a previous meeting. This 1974 Ford Mustang II is listed here on eBay in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania and there are twenty bids bringing the current price up to $2,000.
What a difference the sun makes in photos, says Cap’n Obvious. This photo looks like it’s all washed out or the paint is faded, but the opening photo is bright yellow as it should be. I’m assuming that this is a case of this Mustang being in the shade more than one whole side of the car is faded. Either way, I believe that this is Medium Lime Yellow which is one of the most unusual names that I can think of. Aren’t limes green?
There are a few areas that need to be addressed on this second-generation Mustang as you can see. The trim looks a little funky on the back and there’s a rust spot on the bottom corner of each tail light, and that means that there’s probably more rust elsewhere. The Mustang II is a love it or hate it car as we’ve found over the years here. I’m in the love it camp as you probably know by now.
It’s amazing how many times Ford redesigned the first-generation Mustang, from the cute little pony car at the ’64 World’s Fair to the fire-breathing monster 428 Cobra Jet to the Mary Tyler Moore long-nosed cars right before they came out with the Mustang II for the 1974 model year. In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Mustang IIs have risen in value 50 to 70% over the last year depending on condition and features. This one has a Ford C4 three-speed automatic.
The unusual green/yellow/yellow-lime/lime-yellow continues inside and other than the faded carpet, the interior looks good from what I can see. The seats look perfect both in the front and the back, even with an unusual green tint to the front bucket seat bottoms. Is that a shadow thing again or are they faded? Not that it matters at two-grand. Even the headliner looks great as does the trunk. I very much prefer this body style over the hatchback, I love the notchback look. Hmmm.. I wonder what a Mustang II convertible may have looked like… (crickets)
The engine is Ford’s 2.3L inline-four with 88 horsepower and sadly, this one isn’t currently in running condition. It turns over but the seller says that the old gas in the tank is “stopping the starting process.” That’s a good way to say that it’s been in storage for who knows how long and it’ll need to be gone through to get it running. But, given how nice the car looks overall, this one could be a flipper’s delight at anything under $4,000. Would any of you take a chance on this lime yellow Mustang II?
Good write-up Scotty, I’m glad you treat the Mustang II with respect. The first Mustang II my small-town dealer received was this color, but it was a well-equipped Ghia. Yes these are strange-looking colors (exterior and interior) in our current shades-of-gray automotive world, but remember it was the 70’s. I too like the notchbacks.
This one is very basic but isn’t in bad shape and won’t go for much money. Like other economy cars of its era, be prepared for random conversations about it wherever you go, which is half the fun.
Thanks, Bob! I’m glad that I’m not the only one who likes the Mustang II and especially the notchback version. You’re right about the color/s, as much as I wish that actual colors would come back, I don’t think that anyone would buy them because customers seem to be so worried about resale. The same, sadly, with manual transmissions.
It’s a chicken vs. egg question: did car companies quit offering colors and manual transmissions because consumers didn’t want them or because they weren’t buying them?
These colors come out of newborns diaper !
Oddly , as a young boy , i liked pintos but disliked mustang II’s
I guess the lack of power from the v8 ´s was my issue
The II’s looked better than the previously bloated mustang’s
They have sorta grown on me since
But
I could not see myself driving this
As i feel that a hyundai accent is a better car !
An ” earth 🌎 conscious ” effort from Ford almost 50yrs ago.
@MICHAEL the seller, I strongly recommend that you join the ACA (All Caps Anonymous). They can discreetly help you with your problem!
Amazing the price is not stupid high being a Pennsylvania car I would want to get it on a lift to check out the undercarriage but otherwise not bad
The 2.3 L engine
Was that engine the “Brazilian Blue” one known to break timing chains also used in the Escorts or the “German Cologne Black” engine known for lack of available replacement parts and re-appeared later on in the Merkur?
It used a belt, the Lima 2.3.
BFF had the same engine in his ’80 Bobcat and changed it himself. Non-interference IIRC as it ran like a top after that.
In 1974, if someone had told me that the Mustang II was going to be collectible in 45+ years, I woulda laughed at them.
$2,375 now, also has a Corvair.
This one’s great and count me in as a notch back lover. It’s also got the better looking [for me ] shorter [ in height ] grille rather than the taller one Ford used to horn in the V8 in ’75.
My parents bought a new Mustang II Ghia in ’74. 4cyl, just like this one. Baby blue with dark blue interior and vinyl top. Very nicely trimmed.
They didn’t keep it long and sold it before it was broken in with only 600 miles on it. First tanks were netting 10 mpg. I am sure it would have improved…. but…
My Dad was horrified, but then… ’74 was rock bottom for the efficiency of the crude emissions control devices
I’ve always liked these. Also particularly the notchback. I’ve always wondered how a late model ford 2 litter turbo 4 would work in one with a dead engine anywho
This banana is a real peach
I like the color. Once made road worthy this would be a simple and cheap entry classic that someone would be able to drive and park where ever without too many worries.
I wonder if the carpets could be re-dyed? I’m not sure you’d find a replacement in that color.
I had a pinto wagon and I always wondered if these are the essentially the same cars?
… one hour left and $4,050, get those bids in!
My now deceased uncle had the external twin to this one, but his had the rally wheels and crank sunroof. Same color body and interior though.
His had the German V-6 that sounds like a sewing machine, and a 4 speed manual transmission. It was a beater for him, while he was in college in the 1980’s.
This uncle always had cool cars, if a bit quirky.
I really miss that uncle, he was a great guy.
Thank you for the memories.