Sometimes it’s the little things in life that get people excited. Well, as excited as they can be about a 1976 Ford Mustang II, anyway. This one is listed here on eBay in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. There is no reserve and the bid is up to just $2,150 so far. Let’s check it out.
This is a good looking Mustang II and the little thing that I mentioned is that this car actually has a 4-speed manual transmission! I know, I need a life. Most of them have been automatics lately and a car like this needs a manual, not to mention that it has a brand new clutch, throw-out bearing, and pressure plate. Today, “green” has a polarizing connotation, a person either falls in line with that philosophy or they absolutely hate everything to do with the notion that burning a little more gas will harm the planet. This car is doubly green for 1976, both literally and figuratively.
As a base 2.3L model, this car is known as an MPG as a marketing nod for fuel-efficiency in the era of gas crunches and rising gas prices. Oddly enough, after all that, Ford brought the V8 back to the Mustang in 1975. One unusual thing about this notchback, or coupe, the vinyl top isn’t a vinyl top, it’s paint! I’m not sure what’s going on there but the seller says that the vinyl top is missing and it’s painted where it used to be. Kinky.
The interior looks nice other than having a few ripped seams and maybe flattened padding in the seat bottoms. And, there’s the 4-speed. It always seems like Mustang IIs and Pintos have automatics when they come in as tips here at Barn Finds and it’s nice to see a manual for a change. The back seats look perfect but I don’t think I’d personally want to spend too much time crammed in back there.
The 2.3L or 140 cubic-inch inline-four had 92 hp when new and the seller says that this car runs and drives very good. Hagerty is at $2,640 for a #3 good condition ’76 Mustang II with the 4-cylinder so this one may be getting close. Any thoughts on this green machine?
So, will we all again be going through the “I love (or at least respect) Mustang II’s” vs. the “I hate Mustang II’s” discussion???
Focusing on this car and not the the difference in opinion, this is a pretty good example of a basic 70’s economy car. Green/tan is a period-correct scheme, 4 cylinder, 4 speed, low options. Decent shape. Not many survived. Inexpensive to acquire. You would not see yourself at the local cruise-in.
Thanks Scotty, nice work.
The MPG IIs and Pintos had special gearing and tuning to get those improved EPA #s.
Still useful for inexpensive hobby car ownership.
More fine work by Scotty here:
https://barnfinds.com/mileage-master-1976-ford-mustang-ii-mpg/
Kind of a likeable little guy, IMO.
Kermit
These models saved the Mustang..
I like them for making them stick around.
I have a 67 convertible but again think it’s a neat car.
One of the first cars I ever drove as a kid…was useful learning how to drive a stick…the Old ‘Green machine” we called it. Think it’s still out on the back 40….
Staring at the vinyl interior is making me sweat. My parents had one and I do remember that every surface in the car reached 900 degrees in the summer.
My wife had one of these in automatic form in college. Great little car. She hit a patch of ice and went head on into a guard rail. Maybe she would like another one.
“One unusual thing about this notchback, or coupe, the vinyl top isn’t a vinyl top, it’s paint! I’m not sure what’s going on there but the seller says that the vinyl top is missing and it’s painted where it used to be. Kinky.”
That’s an asset as the vinyl top design as used post 74 that voided the glass and turned it into an opera window looked awful.
The area is small enough back there without taking away light.
A change for the better from the original. Less really is more.
Thank God nobody thinks of THIS when the word mustang is said!
Well, it’s Highland Green with a 4 cylinder and a 4 speed stick………………….
Does that make it an “Eco Bullitt Special” ?
Nope; this is a “Bull-light” special.
It’s not easy being green
Mustang ll might have saved the Mustang but they are my least favorite with the exception of the black on gold cobra model. Still the first gen Mustangs are the only ones that I would consider buying.
God bless America
This car is desirable for its’ excellent condition, but I could think of a few different years of Mustang to buy. This style always struck me as a horrorific perversion of a once great icon. Glorified Pinto. Worst. Mustang. Ever. Made.
I wouldn’t consider a car with torn front seats to be in excellent condition.
A Pinto by any other name is still a Pinto.
My Aunt had the all-blue version of this green one, the second in her string of three Mustangs (‘64.5, ’78, and an ’85 GT). Of the three I’d take either of the other two before this one, but they were adequate for their time.
Dweezilaz, that Mustang with the opera windows was the Ghia package coupe. I agree with you, those were beyond “butt ugly”…they were “hairy butt ugly” lol. I myself much prefer this car’s style vinyl top. Better yet, no vinyl top.
I referred in the past to a lime green 1974 my Uncle had. It too was a coupe, no vinyl top & a factory crank open sunroof. I learned when I commented on that one that they had solid lifters on the six cylinder engines. That explained the noise under the hood of my uncles former car. I still would prefer the 4 cylinder, especially with the “mpg” package.
Listing ended. $2,350.00. Someone got themselves a really nice car. I was hoping to get to the listing before it ended and bid. But, my darned Irish luck got in the way. Well, I’ll keep my eyes open. Thanks BF for this one. Keep sending them.