What car models can you think of that made you wonder what a formerly-revered manufacturer was up to? The MG TD – dimensionally bloated and pregnant with bumpers designed to protect its delicate body from inept drivers – was an affront to buyers of MG’s “midgets” including the P, J, M, and early T series to name just a few. Nearly all TD production was sold to the US as it was roundly rejected in its home country. How about the Porsche 914? Talk about effectively alienating an established clientele. The complaints were legion: it wasn’t a true Porsche, it was underpowered, it looked weird. Then there’s the Mustang II. Fans of earlier Mustangs considered it a gutless abomination. But there is one thing that every one of these models shares: they sold like hotcakes on a Sunday morning after church. The Mustang II profiled here sports a 302 cu. in. V8 and plenty of new parts. It’s located in Chicago, Illinois.
The Mustang II was a miracle of prescience on the part of Lee Iacocca, who felt that buyers were signaling a distaste for ever-larger American cars. He was particularly interested in replacing the outsized Mustang of the early 1970s. Designed in collaboration with Carrozzeria Ghia, the new car was based on the Pinto. It was launched in 1973, bearing an itsy-bitsy four-cylinder in its engine bay (standard equipment). The timing made the car – because it arrived just as the OPEC fuel crisis rocked the Western world. More than 385,000 copies were sold in its first year, belying the naysayers who didn’t like coping with 88 hp. Today’s example is equipped with a 302 V8, which, if it’s the original engine, will generate about 140 hp – not a neck-snapper but at least better than the four. An automatic transmission brings the power to the wheels. New parts include the distributor, radiator, brakes (from rotors to lines), ball joints, and fuel tank. The mechanicals need tidying – hoses to nowhere, an aftermarket air cleaner, damage and corrosion here and there, and the misfit fuel tank don’t inspire confidence.
The interior is spiffy, though. Close-ups of the gauges, upholstery, and other elements show care taken over the life of this pony wannabe. That chunky steering wheel gives an impression of sporty handling, but unfortunately, the Mustang II was never revered for its tossability. The seller implies the odometer reading of 32,000 miles is all she’s traveled, and viewing the interior makes me think that just might be true.
A few imperfections mar the body but we can forgive those in a nod to the car’s age. I don’t care for the wheels, but those and the tires are “newer” according to the listing here on eBay. Bidding has reached $8700, not quite enough to vanquish the reserve. Confession time: I almost bought a Mustang II about twenty-five years ago. I found it parked under the trees in one of Portland’s more graceful neighborhoods with a “for sale” sign. It was criminally cheap, blue, and gutless. Had this car with its V8 been under those trees instead, I would have claimed it followed me home, added it to our small collection, and driven it daily.
I was a kid when these came out. Also grew up in Metro Detroit. I bring that up because even as a little kid, you were very aware that things in the 1970’s were not what they once were.
The term “Malaise Era” has been used, and it is partially accurate. It was not a good feeling, and there was a lot of worry in the Detroit area. But we knew the cause of “Malaise”. It wasn’t an unknown. And it was a bit of a gut punch to know that you’re not what you thought you were.
I’ve heard it said that what happened to the Mustang is what happens to every old athlete: you start out young and lean, and eventually, you get old and fat. And like any old and fat guy, eventually, you have to come to terms with your health, but the desire to hold on to your youth results in some very bad and cringy decisions along the way.
So I look at this car, maybe more than any other car of that era, with a bit of nostalgia, but maybe a little more sadness.
Michelle, your write ups are great. But you had to ask…”Love it, or Loathe it? 1978 Ford Mustang II”. That possibly is the only reason I clicked on this one. But the “Mustang Also”, as in “Mustang Too” holds about the lowest ranking IMHO. I know there are fans, and I respect that. Maybe there was a package that handled well, but the few I drove or rode in were absolutely horrible in the handling department. I apologize, the intent was not to offend. But even in 1978 there were many better choices. One of them being the (Ford Europe) 1978 Mercury Capri for the Ford loyal crowd, last year for North America.
We wanna know what you think! Good, bad, or ugly! … thanks for the compliment by the way.
I think it’s interesting that cars that we detested in the day – as if they were literally a personal affront to our sensibilities – are gaining popularity today. And I’m flowing with that trend – it’s kinda frightening actually. Cars I once thought awful, I am finding less ugly and more charming. Perhaps it has to do with the background of sameness in auto design we are faced with today when we visit car dealers – doesn’t everything look similar? Except the Cybertruck, but that’s another topic altogether! … So anyway, these days, when we see something different, we notice it, and maybe even think, ah, the good old days….
I saw a twenty-something guy driving an AMC sedan on I205 the other day – what a treat! Not a car that would ever turn my head twenty years ago… but today, it did.
Sorry Michelle but it was ugly when it was born, and it was still ugly when it died. I have owned Ford Mustangs from the 1967/8/9 + 1970 and then a 1971 Mach 1, all of which were great cars, but from first sight this model put me off Mustangs until they reverted to the similar shape of the original 1960’s Mustang.
I was born in the early 70s, so I’ve seen cars of the 70s. Everything from a Mustang II, to a Maverick, to a Plymouth Valiant Duster and Dodge Dart. Although not popular today, these are cars I’d love to drive. My favourites are the 1970-72 Duster, the 1974-78 AMC Matador, the 1970-71 Dodge Dart, 1973-76 Dodge Dart.
4 barrel carb is aftermarket as is dual exhaust.
I leased a 1978 model new, with 4 speed and this 302 …
These mods would have helped !!!
Looks decent.
I know this car!
This car was written up by Mike Stephens on August 24.
Good write-up Michelle, except for the oft-repeated statement saying these were based on the Pinto. They were not.
I enjoy seeing Mustang II’s which have survived; few did.
To any seasoned TV watcher, these immediately take me back to Charlies Angels. Kelly( Jaclyn Smith) drove a creme colored Ghia like this. Even though, she didn’t have the zing Farrah Fawcett had, who drove a Cobra ll for 1 season, the series had a profound impact on sales. While Mustang machos had little interest in these cars, women, whose aging Pinto was just about shot, these were considered a step up for them, and it was. Sales of the ’73 had slipped to around 130,000 cars, while in ’74, the Mustang ll sold almost 385,000 cars. That’s noteworthy as over a million lls were sold. For many years, publications like Hemmings, stopped Mustang ads after 1973. I think the V8 was too much, but the V6 was a really nice car. Just ask a million secretaries.
I guess a whole crew of hot rodders can thank the Mustang II for the steering rack, but that is about it.
So many cars from the late 60’s to the early 80’s (maybe) had some cool features or nice lines, but back in the day, they were largely ignored. Now they are worth top dollar, like the Bronco or Blazer. Despite that, I never thought I would see the day when the Mustang II would have even a hint of desireability….
I absolutely love these things. Probably because my mom drove a 1975 Mustang Ghia around with little me in the back seat. Good memories.
Not a Ford guy historically, but appreciate many cars for different reasons. Mustang IIs get my vote. This 302 is clearly built at least a little, and this will be a fun car to drive.
All cars from our past have a place in our life and that place for myself at least is evolving and cars I wouldn’t have given a second look at or even scoffed at has gradually changed and I find myself enjoying cars I would not have even given a look at 40 years ago.
I completely agree. I think that tendency is making way for at least light restorations of a lot of cars that I never would have thought would be treated that well. A few years ago, I was on a tour with a ’58 Bugeye Sprite and I stopped for gas. The young guy filling my tank was keen to tell me that he was restoring a car too – he was probably 18 years old or thereabouts. I asked what he was working on and it was an ’88 Honda Civic! I sorta viewed the Civic as something just north of a toaster, but hey each to his own. I praised him mightily and went on my way.
I agree with the many who say that the last years of Gen 1 were bloated and lacking in sportiness. As a kid, I liked the II. Later, I realized its shortcomings. I have no burning desire to own one but I know that cars like my modern GT might not exist if the II’s hadn’t existed first.
My wife had one when we got married, so they can’t be that bad, LOL! It had a 302/auto that ran well, and I don’t remember any ill-handling characteristics. As a matter of fact, many hot-rodders swapped to the Mustang II front suspension for decades. Aftermarket Mustang II suspensions are still sold today for hot-rod upgrades . . . so they can’t be that bad.
These things were literally everywhere when I was in high school in the late ‘70s. They were horrendously slow, as were all new cars of the era compared to the old 60s GTOs, Chevelles, Firebirds, etc., that my friends and I drove. Who knew they’d be desirable 50 years hence?
I was in High School when this model came out. It was a lackluster version of the Mustang at best but was a sign of the times. It’s all sort of relevant, when all cars have about 80 to 110 hp the one with 115 hp sort of stands out as the “Sporty” model. Thank God, the industry has evolved and adapted to what it is today.
There are plenty of models from the early days of motoring that bring back fond memories and a little nostalgia. The ’63 Ford Fairlane 500 (my first car), ’68 Oldsmobile Toronado that my mother drove. The ’64 1/2 Mustang that my aunt drove and my Stepfather’s ’56 Chevy 510 Wagon we would all pile into for trips to the beach or the mountains. Good times were had by all.
I grew up loving cars, like most if not all of you did. Looking at the new models I see plenty of innovation and some great designs that like the ones I grew up with have great style. They tend to look similar because they copy design features from each other. You know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And someday soon, just like we reminisce about hand crank windows and shifting gears ourselves. Our young children will reminisce about music on CD’s and when Dad had to actually steer the car himself.