In contrast to the King Cobra I recently wrote about is this base-as-base-gets ’74 Mustang II. Ford sold nearly 400,000 of them in 1974, and I’d be willing to bet that a majority of them were economy specials like this coupe. The eBay seller has lost their storage and says that the car “has to go,” and with less than a day left on the auction, it’s going to find a new home soon. Is that home in your garage?
Everyone knows that the Mustang II was a combination of luck and skill. It was lucky because the market for small cars boomed at the exact time that Ford decided to return the Mustang to its roots (sort of). It was skillful because Ford decided that the big, muscular 1971 to 1973 models were not the right car for the times. General Motors may have disagreed; the Camaro and Firebird sold very well in the second half of the seventies, thank you very much. But the much-maligned Mustang II rang up sales numbers Ford can only dream about in the “sporty car” field today.
The Mustang II was presented as a little luxury car, and it’s easy to see why. The interior on our featured car is not perfect, but the squint-hard-enough-and-it’s-wood dashboard and luxurious carpet are a couple grades finer than your average penalty box from the “Me Decade.” This one has the 2300 four cylinder and standard four-speed manual. With manual steering and manual front disc brakes, this powder blue stocker is a transportation special.
In comparison to the classic Mustangs, the Mustang II is bound to come off as an also ran; it was designed for different times, and there’s no way it can live up to the muscular and stylish image of its forebear. But there are plenty who can appreciate it for what it is, a pretty cool representative of a pretty dark year in automobiles. I for one enjoy seeing the standard economy cars and base sedans of any era; since so few were saved, it’s a treat when one pops up for sale. Or in a parking lot somewhere.
This one’s not perfect: It needs a radiator, a tune up, and some brake work. But the body is in “good condition” and the engine “does not smoke,” so it could be a great deal for someone looking for a clean Mustang II. It’s for sale in Ramsey, New Jersey, so let us know if you save it from this parking garage.
Good job Aaron. I think you nailed the Mustang II’s place in the market, and the place of this particular example: low-option, yet nicely trimmed economy car. I agree, good to see basic cars of their day which aren’t expensive and could be improved fairly easily.
I stored a car in my workplace parking garage for a few years. I parked on a lightly-used upper level and never had a problem, but…. when the job ended, so did the storage (obviously).
A guy in a downtown parking deck by me does the same thing. He’s got a 1965 Studebaker Lark, a 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk, and a 1977-78 Lincoln Versailles spread throughout the 6th of 7 floors. I parked my 1965 Mercury Comet up there one time too and an astonished vagrant exclaimed “Now we got a CADILLAC in the house too!” I’m sure FoMoCo designers would love to know their mid-size, mid-price sedan was mistaken for the arch enemy’s flagship.
Dont ask me why… I have a vast appreciation for so many different cars and trucks. But theres something about a mor base model 4 cyl stick shift Mustang II that really speaks to me. When I was younger I never gave them much thought but now I do. There looks like theres a lot to work with here.
Theres a nice looking Lincoln sitting next to it too. Wonder how many other older cars are in this garage.
Who knew Ford could turn a Pinto into A Mustang, and set sales records doing so?
He had an auction for a 1982 Fairmont that looked to be in similar condition end today with only 1 bid for $1,000.
Steve R
I could afford $1,000 US for a Fairmont. Owned a used Fairmont wagon waaaay back. Good basic transportation. I really like the plain jane cars.
That’s a Fox Body, you know.
The Pinto and the Mustang ll share very little with the exception of the 2300 engine. The whole platform is different
There’s about 10% shared content between Pinto and MII, a good bit of it in the front suspension.
Unlike the first Mustang and Falcon. The instrument panel of the my 65 Falcon and the 65 Mustang were the same. I used to tease a buddy that his Mustang was just a gussied up Falcon.
You could say that a million times and at least one person will ALWAYS make the Pinto = Mustang comment.
The highly desirable notchback Mustang with stick shift 😎
A buddy of mine had one just like this back in the day. He let me borrow it one night, that thing was a blast to drive with the 4 speed. I do remember that night ended badly for me but it was trouble of my own making. So grateful I don’t have to do that stuff today.
“”Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment”.
Will Rogers
I’m always a little disappointed when I see an old mustang with a six, I’m more disappointed when it has a four.
You must get disappointed a lot ; the majority of all Mustangs had six cyls and 4cyls
Wow,my dad had the same color but a auto.He retired his stick shift 67′ FB to me instead of trading it in.I kept it till 1992.Anyway most of the paint pealed off his 74′ the dealer repainted it but by 78′ he traded it on a new Granada .
Well I think I bought it but I’ve left a couple messages without answer yet BUT its only been 10 minutes soo I guess I’ll wait.
Hopefully it’s as clean as it looks, it’s an 11 hr drive from here.
Congratulations! I hope it works out…
Good deal Matt. When you get some detailed info please report back (even if it isn’t for a week or two). A couple friends and I have had a fun online discussion about this car today.
Sold. $1325
That is what it’s probably worth, good purchase for the buyer. They should enjoy putting time and a little money into it to get it in driving condition.
I had a 1978( same body style) mine was Orange with white GT stripes on the bottom edge of the car. White leather seats, and interior panels ( except dash, that was black). Same 2.3, same 4spd.
I absolutely loved the car! Great to drive, better yet fun to drive! I got a wild hair and traded it for a 1980 Mustang . It
( the 1980)was just an ok car at best a people mover
I will bob. I got with the guy and am running up Thursday, be back Friday and if it’s not raining take a good look at it Saturday.
I smell a restomod in the making, LOL! An engine swap with a 302/5.0L from a wrecked Mustang or a crate motor. Either that, or an Ecoboost 2.3L crate motor, with a nice five or six-speed tranny and some suspension upgrades to go with the extra power wouldn’t hurt either! Good News! It already has a Mustang II front suspension in it, LOL! The painted steel roof is also a plus (no vinyl! Yay!).
I smell, get it running good, fix the brakes, have it buffed out and drive it! Lol. I’m picking it up tomorrow.