I came here to write about a Mustang II King Cobra, but that listing already vanished before having the chance to. Still, this listing on eBay for a survivor-grade 1977 Ford Mustang II with the Mach 1 package is a solid find, with low mileage and claimed original paint. There’s only 27,000 claimed original miles, and it’s a V8 car selling at no reserve. Find it here on eBay with bids over $6K at the moment.
The paint looks fantastic, and the blue with white stripes is a familiar Mustang paint scheme. While it, of course, looks better on a genuine Shelby, this Mustang II could look quite attractive with a modest suspension drop and some larger period-correct wheels, such as the mesh design that came standard on the King Cobra. This example has a T-Top roof, which is a nice feature to have since you won’t be hustling this car around any corners.
What I mean to say is the loss in structural rigidity is really no big deal. The 302 V8 is the engine of choice in a Mustang II, so with the T-Tops removed above you, this will make a nice cruiser that probably won’t lose money given the low mileage. At the same time, it’s not valuable enough that you should feel bad putting a few thousand mils on it annually. Lots of maintenance has been thrown at it recently, and the seller claims it’s one of the few cars that actually looks better in person.
The seller has addressed the following: “(New) 2-Barrel Carburetor, Starter, Oil Pan, Fuel Pump, 180 degree Thermostat, Rack & Pinion Steering Unit, Exhaust System, Fuel Tank, Paint, Dash Bezel Update ( New Brushed Aluminum Overlay ), Carpet, Drive Belts, Light Bulbs, Emergency Brake Cable, Fuel & Brake Lines.” This seems like a turnkey car if I’ve ever seen one, and should provide years of trouble-free motoring for the next owner.
Can’t let the wife see this she has 2 Mustangs and doesn’t get another until I get my panel truck or first generation Bronco.
My sweetheart bought one new back in the day…black. better shut down this computer now!
I like that it has the original 8-track radio!
Charlies Angels
Rebadged Pinto, basically. I understand the nostalgia appeal, but that’s pretty much as far as it goes. V8 helps, but many cooler cars out there for the price…
The original Mustang was a re-badged Falcon.
Sort of, but much, much cooler…
But the Falcon was much cooler than the Pinto.
I’ve never driven or ridden in one, so I don’t know how they drive. I hate to criticize unless I have personal experience with a car, but these do nothing for me. I agree with JP, for me personally, that money could go toward a lot of other great cars I’d rather have. I’d still love to drive one though, just to see!
BOP_Guy I drove my wife’s new 78 Cobra often, it was a fun car, handled well with the rack & pinion steering, had decent power for the times with the 302. Her’s didn’t have T-Tops so it probably didn’t rattle as much as the feature car does. My FIL cosigned for her to get it and he drove it and was impressed with it’s speed enough that he almost didn’t let her get it and he was a big Mopar truck guy.
I always keep an open mind, cuz you never know what a car is really like until you drive it. Sounds like these could be a lot of fun!
That’s funny about your FIL. Reminded me of a story from when I was young. I was 16, had bought a 69 Buick Riviera. I went with my Dad car shopping, he was looking for a daily driver that would be fun. He wanted to test drive a new 1984 Dodge Colt. I gave him a hard time about how lame I thought they were 😂 We got to the dealership, and the only one he had in mind to test drive was the GTS model. Had a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine with EFI and the twin stick tranny. He drove first, then me. Man that little thing was fast, and handled really well! I wanted him to get it, but he said no way. He said that my Mom and I would get too many tickets in that thing! And he was right. Another lesson in never judging a book by its cover!
It’s a Pinto. Albeit with a wheezy V8, but still a Pinto.
It’s a Pinto, but much better looking.
I would give it day two treatments and enjoy
A pinto with a V8?? Sign me up! Sounds like a fun car to drive! Nice looking, T tops, a recipe for a cool car. These are fun little cars!
The wife had a ’78 V8 hatch in a pale yellow when I met her. No question, it was a nice car. It was her second, her first car was a ’76 V6 hatch that some drunk took out. I judge them for what they are, not for what they aren’t, i.e., the Mustangs that came before them.
Had a 77 with a V8 / 3 Speed what a fun car to drive but it was terrible in the snow.
I wonder why Ford got rid of the kewler high back bucket seats in ’74. I notice how low the wipers park on this one – i guess a reasonable & less expensive alternative to hidden wipers. U’ll certainly attract a heck of a lot more attention with this stang than with any built since! Indeed when the 2005 came out, i remember reading that magazine guys taking the 1st ones out on the road & no one noticed! Too squarish since ’79 & not much sculpture in the doors, if you ask me. The LENGTH of the trunk on most new cars is laughable – at least to me. I would NOT feel safe sitting in the back seat of them, if i, at 6 foot, could even squeeze back there. lol
Short hoods & ridiculous trunklids – not for me!
If i ever buy a cheap 2005 stang, the 1st thing i’ll do is rip out those ugly cheap plastic mirrors & put on 2 of the ones like on the ’78!
I would repaint the hood and place this on it.Probably paint the doors also. Game on!
I built a 77 Mach 1 with a 302 HO and 5 speed conversion which worked very well. I like the Mach 1 as it was not over the top with graphics. I actually took my brother in law and his son for a drive in it. He is 6’3″ and his son 6’8″. The son fit in the back. It was not a long drive as his knees were around his ears but he did not complain. :-).
I think the Mustang II just missed the mark in a couple of small ways. The 13″ wheels and 4 stud wheels (Also a headache for Fox body mods) were something that the aftermarket never supported for development, so the car enthusiast who wanted to modify was left with very limited options, leaving the car with undersized wheels and too much body overhang. The 195/70 x 13 tires just did not cut it. The body lines of this car were well done, but the balance was not there. There was also the stigma from the Pinto debacle. Even with that the car sold well. I owned several and liked them. Attached is photo of mine that I regrettably sold a couple of years back.
My ’69 falcon 6 cyl had 14 inch 4 stud wheels – would they fit the mustang 2, or do the wheelwells get in the way of the bigger tires? High profile 205-75-14 tires look quite big from the side, especially with a black steel wheel with no hubcaps or wheel covers.
BTW, i believe the very 1st mustang v8s came with 5 stud 13″ wheels!
The first generation came with 4 stud on 6 cylinder models and 5 stud on v8 models. I believes all 4 stud wheels were steel wheels with hubcaps. I was able to buy 5 stud front rotors for my Mach 1 on the front + added a 1″ spacer and went with 16″ 2005 mustang v6 wheels and for the rear I went with spacer/adapter for 4 to 5 stud but some people re-drill the axles and go with early model Ranger drums. I went with 205/55 x 16 tires on the front and 225/50 x 16 on the rear which fit well and improved the stance.
I bought this girl, Will let you know what she’s like when I get her. I can tell you right now she is stunning!
Good for you!
If not for the Mustang II; we’d be like the Camaro & Challenger guys and there would be a gaping hole in history.
Congratulations, It looks like an awesome car and a great buy too!
That’s great, can’t wait for your update post.
Good luck with your purchase. It looks to be in great shape.
It’s all they said it was! Couple adjustments, duel exhaust, tires and fuel injection I will be happy😎