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Going Bananas: 1974 Ford Mustang II

I think all of us can agree that the color makes the car.  I have a preference for black cars, even though the color is a pain in the rear to keep clean.  My grandfather completely restored a Model A Ford to as produced perfection, except for the color.  He liked a particular shade of black cherry and that is what he painted it.  It cost him a lot of trophies, but he just liked that color.  This particular 1974 Ford Mustang II, which is listed for sale here on craigslist in Clermont, Florida for the low price of $3900, is sporting a very unusual color.  While I likely wouldn’t have ordered a car in this particular hue, I have to admit that it does look kind of cool today.  Many thanks to Rocco B. for tipping us off on this baby banana boat!

This color, believe it or not, is called medium lime yellow.  Maybe its just my eyes, or maybe this is a re-paint that ended up off a shade, but it looks pretty yellow to me.  Somehow this color works well, at least on this particular body style of Mustang II.  I doubt that it would work on a Cobra II, or any hatchback for that matter.  This might even look better with a white half vinyl top, like you find in the Ghia package on these cars.  Some aluminum wheels rather than hubcaps would help too, like maybe a Torq Thrust D wheel.  I am in uncharted territory here because I usually don’t like Mustang IIs very much.

It doesn’t hurt that this particular Mustang II is in really great condition.  In addition to it being all original parts wise, the owner claims that the car only has 54,000 miles!  Another plus is that the owner has kept meticulous records during his ownership.  His list of replacements and repairs range from a rebuilt transmission all the way down to new radiator hoses.  If his list is accurate, then this Mustang II is mostly new or rebuilt.  Combining this with the mileage, the new owner will likely end up with a very reliable automobile.

Under the hood is the old familiar 2.3 liter four cylinder that has powered millions of Ford products for decades.  Except for a few spots that could easily be cleaned up, the engine compartment looks brand new.  Unfortunately, power steering seems to be the only evident option.  The car does not have air conditioning other than the usual roll the windows down and drive faster variety.  Power brakes are also absent, but a booster probably isn’t necessary on a car this light.

Inside, the yellow and green theme continues.  The only negative evident is a few good tears in the vinyl upholstery.  Other than that, the carpet looks clean and the door panels are neither ripped nor stained.  Even where you would rest your arm in this non-air conditioned car is free from blemish.  The car does have an AM radio, so don’t plan on rocking out too hard.  The hand crank windows are also a bummer, but they are not too bad once you get used to them.  A set of cheap floor mats and a seat belt pad are the only items I see out of place here.

While it is not a highly optioned Mustang II, the color, the new and rebuilt parts, and the low mileage make this car very appealing.  It would be a good entry level vehicle for an enthusiast who is a little light in the pocketbook, but wants a good car to drive to shows and cruise ins.  The owner obviously took great care of this car, and it still has a lot of service life left in it.  It looks like the only thing you would have to do to make it perfect would be to fix the tears in the driver’s seat.

If you bought this car what would you do with it?

Comments

  1. Avatar DrinkinGasoline

    Magnum 500’s and one size larger tires and oh, one of the 302’s I have in the garage with a C6 and a 9″ :)
    I’d leave the seat alone as I very rarely look under My butt when driving.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Vin in NJ

      I’d go with the factory slotted wheels

      Like 0
    • Avatar z28th1s

      Nice, well kept Mustang II.

      These cars are 4 lug, so unless you change the front spindles and rear axles to 5 lugs the Magnum 500’s won’t fit.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar geebee

    Wonder why the transmission died at such low mileage?

    Like 0
    • Avatar grant

      Because its 154k, well kept miles.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Troy

        All old cars are at least 100,000 plus some 200,000 and 300,000..

        I am tired of people thinking they all have under 100,000 miles..

        Even that Old Granny who owns it now,wasnt an Old Granny when she bought it new,she was a swinging,hottie when she bought it new and drove it everywhere !! Work,parties,holidays..Then used as a family car and to work/pick kids up then when she retired she started to baby it ..And that slow ,cute old Granny was a young hot girl when she bought it new..People think that that old Granny was an Old granny when she bought it new…They cant comprehend that she was young when she bought it..

        My buddy has 350,000 miles on his 68 Charger RT and it looks like new,never fully restored..I have no clue on mine because it was a bucket when I bought it,restored it and now 77,000 miles since my resto and it looks like new still also a 68 Charger RT.4 years and 77,000 miles !!! I drive it !!

        Like 1
      • Avatar giorgitd

        Beat me to it, but correct, I think.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Rustytech Member

    I ‘m glad it doesn’t have a vinyl top. I hate what they do to the roof! Not a big fan of the Mustang II coupes. But this does look good! It’s hard to believe this car has been used all these years in Florida without A/C.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Miguel

      It is hard to believe the car has spent so many years in Florida and it isn’t rusted half way up the sides.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Tom

    It’s had some paint work, rad support and radiator.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Houndawg

    Oh my, I got my learners permit and learned to drive in that same car. It was my mom’s brand new car and I almost wrecked it. The one thing I can say is that 2.3 couldn’t hardly get out of its own way. What a slug, we “affectionately” called it the lemon jello car.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar JimmyJ

    It’s got the trifecta ugly outside, ugly inside, 4 banger I could go on….

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Troy

    P I NT O

    We called these the PintoStangas they looked like a Pinto and they were !

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dan

      Did you call the earlier ones Falcostangas?

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Troy

    Lots of Fords were this color back in the day,I remember them…Also Mopar,GM had similar colors..

    I see these cars and want those days back….At least people looked up when they walked and not down at their phones lol..

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Mort

    I had a 74 mustang 2. Got it in 79. Totaled it twice. It was turd brown. Drove it through high school. Totaled it again just before leaving for the Seabees. My dad traded it for a used compressor.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JohnB

      Mort, where did you live? There was a car JUST like that in Idaho Falls, ID.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar john

    NO AIR?!?!

    Maybe $3k due to lack of A/C.

    Otherwise a nice little blast from the past that’s sure to give someone a good bit of reliability.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar glenn

    its a great car i have aways loved them and recently i realized that they are jus rebadged uk versions of the ford escort

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Paul

    I learned to drive on a 74 Pinto wagon, this color. I liked the car. It was a big step up from the 68 Green bomb (Fury) and the 71 Gold bomb (Fury II).

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Gay Car Nut

    Sweet looking Mustang II. I’ve always loved this generation Mustang.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar W9BAG

    I’d rather have a Pinto, upon which this car was based upon. You wouldn’t have to explain the debased excuse to call this a Mustang.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar man ' war

    I’ve owned a Mercury Bobcat hatchback. I wouldn’t mind getting a Pinto/Bobcat panel wagon. The only thing is that the 2.3 or 2.8 would also come with it, and how would it run?

    Like 0

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