Every cliché you can think of relating to old cars applies to the 1974 Mustang II Mach 1 seen here on craigslist: “Nicest one left” and “Go find another” are just two of those. You can probably think of more, but instead of sitting around thinking, why not make a play for this sorta-classic? Rocco B put us onto this gem found in Wheatridge, CO, and available for an asking price of $10,000, and in case you’re thinking of making an offer, know that this car shows 67,000 original miles and has just had an engine refresh after sitting for more than three decades.
If it weren’t so shiny and seemingly perfectly preserved, you might be excused for passing on this car. After all, the Mustang IIs, as the 1974-78 generation was officially labelled, have always been regarded with scant affection. Does it also figure in somewhere that this is a hatchback? And that it has a distinctly Ford Pinto family resemblance? Not to me, given the condition. Everything looks right, and apparently there are records going back to the start, with every gallon of gas that’s ever run through the carb into the 2.8-liter engine accounted for in logs. To create a bit of fun, the car is a stick-shift rather than being burdened down by a power-robbing automatic transmission. Unfortunately, the interior is not pictured (except for one shot of the carpet in the hatch area) nor described, so you might want to ask for further documentation if you’re thinking of moving on this opportunity.
The fact this this one, if the ad tells the truth, is a true, original-paint survivor (though one always worries about paint mismatches when the light hits a car a bit funny), makes it possible that this ‘Stang is worth collecting. This generation of Pony Car can’t just be erased. They are what got us, eventually, to the Mustangs of today. If the nameplate, and familial likeness, hadn’t existed in 1974-78, what would we be driving all these years later? Does that sound like a compelling case for being the next owner to put this car in a garage where you live?
Despite the “Mach 1” callouts on the lower front fenders, this is no speed demon, with power output barely topping 100 horses from the factory. In 1975, the model would be potentially equipped with a V8, but not this year’s model. Rather, you can supplement with “vroom vroom” noises as you sit in the sporty bucket seat and shift from gear to gear with the help of a third pedal, knowing that you are stitching together two generations of Mustang—the original, and the Fox-body eras—in a car that has classic proportions, even if many Mustangers would have a hard time admitting that.
Thanks Brian K for a fair, reasonable, and interesting write-up. This Mach 1 with its blackout trim looks sharp with the silver paint. Wish we had interior pics. I would also like to see the log book– evidence of a meticulous first owner. From what we can see, looks like a clean Mustang II, in good condition.
Ive always been a fan of the 74-78 mustang. I hate the mustang 2 moniker. It was the car for its time and it followed the early mustang ethos, a sporty car you could build.
Agreed. I would take a 1974-1978 Mustang any day over one of ’71-’73 land yacht Mustangs that preceded them. Plenty of potential with these cars, but even with the 2800 and manual, I bet this car is fun to drive.
Oh, 1974, these times they were becoming very different. I think it was this car that slapped everyone in the face, it’s really happening, the gas thing. It was such an about face for the beloved Mustang, that by 1973 had become bloated and inefficient, enter the Mustang ll. I remember for years in classic car advertising, Mustang ads stopped at 1973. I thought the Mustang ll was a great car, and much more like the original. TV, Charlies Angels in particular, helped sales, for all those “Jill” wannabes, but the Mustang ll was a bitter pill to swallow for most gearheads. I still say, the V8 was a bit too much, only to satisfy crying gearheads, and the V6 here was a much better choice, like the V6 vs. V8 Monzas. I had this motor in my Capri, I think, and while not the V8, it was good enough for this car. Naturally the “Mach 1” moniker was for glitz, a mere shred of the Mach 1s of yore, but like it or not, smaller cars were here to stay, and the Mustang ll was a good start. Mustang sales slipped to about 134,000 in ’73. Mustang ll almost tripled that in ’74,( almost 400,000!) and that’s the way it went down.
Now,, about the stick,,,
Not going Mach anything in these little beauties. But looks a fun driver.. rwd, stick and V6. 👍
That was a funny line Stan.
Mach 0.08098.
I sure like the wheels on this rig, I bet they’d look good on a Pinto wagon too.
Are those modern rostyle wheels? Nice!
If this is indeed original. And I strongly think it is. This is amazing. What got me liking this so much is the original Fordland dealer emblem on the left siddle of the trunk. I truly think its the real deal, original paint. I’d be very happy with the six and the 4 speed. I have to admit. I have always liked the Mustang II’s. And like it or not….. Ford had a hit on their hands. They had this at the right place, and at the right time. I still remember my parents in the front seat of our ’70 Olds Ninety Eight saying to each other……. You think gas will actually hit a dollar a gallon???? Naw, it wont happen…..
( I think we all know they were wrong). This is going to be a great one for someone, wish it were me.
I’ve always liked the body style of the Mustang II. My cousin had the notchback Ghia in silver with half vinyl top and dark red cloth interior. Was classy looking and drove quite well.
I had one of these, except mine had a silver interior. At the time I had 70 round trip daily commute. Maybe mine was exceptional, but I would call it one of the best cars I have ever owned
Lee Iococca was a true visionary bringing forth two Mustang success stories only to get canned by the Deuce. Not to worry. Lido would work greater magic at Chrysler only to completely screw up and the reins over to Robert Eaton while Bob Lutz was standing there and ready to lead.
As for the car; great looking Mustang. Surely one you won’t see twice today.
Was this yr mustang the beginning of the end for mustangs? May have been the thought at the time. Then ford got back into HP and somewhat of styling. But wait aren’t the new mustangs electric SUVs? Seriously ?Shame on you ford ! Shame!!! And
I’m a Mopar guy ! Peace!
The new Mustangs are still V8 gas powered. Unlike your new Chargers and Challengers. Talk about shame!
I think he’s talking about these:
https://www.ford.com/suvs/mach-e/
The new Mustangs are the GTD’s .The coal powered one is old news. But, he knows that.
Hey… I’m a MOPAR guy and I always thought these were cool ! And then an article in Hot Rod Magazine came out back then about ” SUDDEN DEATH ” owned by Joe Ruggirello and BUILT by Jack Roush !!!
https://autopolis.wordpress.com/2025/06/28/1975-ford-mustang-ii-sudden-death-the-first-roush-mustang/
Check it out !!!
That’s one bad ride! To think they prowled Woodward with that.
Girlfriend of mine had a 1978 with the 6 cylinder and t-tops. It was a great little car, really fun to drive even with the auto-tragic transmission. This ’74 looks like a gem. Does anyone know if they were using the “variable venturi” carbs on these in 1974? The ’78 had one and that thing was garbage.
Post deleted on Craigslist. I wonder if it sold?
One of my roommates in OK had the Cobra model of the Mustang II. It was all decked out with the 5.0, tape / stripes, etc. We swapped cars for a day, and I took this thing out for a ride. I pushed it hard, and almost rolled it on dirt road between Norman and Shawnee. Sloppy handling, way too much body roll, and anemic acceleration. It almost killed the marque, and I’ve had a 65′ C-code, a 71′ 351C rag -top and a 86′ SVO.
I took my drivers license test in a 74 mustang hatchback, it was blue with the V6 and an automatic. That one and a 74 or 75 notchback with a 4 cylinder and a 4 speed that a buddy of mine had were the only mustangs I ever drove. I only drove the buddies car once and spent the night in jail over it. Those were the days, glad I survived them
Mustang Mach E . Even more shameful. Peace