It is fair to say that the Mustang II spent decades in the classic wilderness, largely ignored by those preferring the performance and styling offered by earlier and later vehicles. However, time change, and the Mustang II has grown legs in the market for buyers seeking an affordable pony car. Our featured Ford is a relatively rare 1977 Mach 1 that presents exceptionally well following a restoration around fifteen years ago. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this turnkey gem listed here on eBay in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. The seller set their BIN at $16,000 with the option to make an offer.

Ford launched the Mustang II for the 1974 model year and, like the car it replaced, the company based its latest offering on fairly humble underpinnings. For the First Generation, it was the Falcon, but Ford chose the Pinto as the foundation for its new pony car. Some people struggled to warm to the concept of an iconic badge powered by a four, while the styling also divided opinions. However, buyers voted with their wallets, and the Mustang II sold in respectable numbers, justifying the development costs. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1977 as a relatively rare Mach 1 version. It has led an interesting life, this being the second time that it has found its way into the seller’s garage. They chose to perform a thorough restoration in 2010, massaging the panels to arrow straightness before applying a fresh coat of Vista Orange. It has survived remarkably well, with no evidence of major steel or paint defects. I can’t spot any evidence of rust, and the seller doesn’t mention problems in their listing. The trim and glass are in good order, as are the alloy wheels.

Timing can make an enormous difference in the automotive world, and Ford was probably more aware than any manufacturer of how to get it right or wrong. The Edsel fits into the latter category, while the original Mustang lands firmly in the former. The same is true of the Mustang II, which appeared on showroom floors as the Arab Oil Embargo unfolded. Fuel prices rose, shortages were common, and buyers focused on efficiency as a prime consideration when assessing the worth of a new car to park in their garage. The Mustang II was not only significantly smaller than the car it replaced, but could be ordered with a 2.3-liter four under the hood. Our feature Mach 1 left the factory in 1977, ordered by the first owner with a venerable 302ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. There wasn’t a lot to get excited about, because while the engine possessed the unmistakable exhaust note of a V8, its power and torque figures of 129hp and 242 ft/lbs hardly set pulses racing. However, this beauty will undoubtedly improve upon those numbers. The engine block is original, but sports a range of new and updated parts, including new aluminum cylinder heads, pistons, valves, roller rockers, and an Edelbrock camshaft. The aluminum intake is from the same manufacturer, topped by a Holley 600cfm carburetor. I think we can forget 129hp, because I suspect that the output of this 302 might double that. The build process included a thorough inspection of the transmission for wear and other issues. Purists will welcome the news that any removed original parts are included, but I suspect that most potential buyers would consign them to a dark and dusty corner of their workshop. We receive no specific information about how the Mach 1 runs or drives, but I see no reason why the news shouldn’t be positive.

I get the impression that this Mustang II may have led a sheltered existence, because while the seller admits to replacing the front seatcovers during their build, they state that the rear cover is original. Finding anything to fault is seemingly impossible, with the Black vinyl trim in great condition, complemented by dazzling Orange highlights that mimic the exterior paint shade. The carpet looks spotless, the pad is crack-free, and the plastic hasn’t cracked or crumbled. The driver faces a sports gauge cluster through the sports wheel, and an aftermarket FM converter feeds signals to the factory AM radio.

The Mustang II didn’t simply share some of its styling cues with its predecessor, because it was another example of the right car being in the right place at the right time. In its launch year, 296,041 buyers parked a Mustang II in their garage, marking it as a sales success. However, like its predecessor, those numbers would drop in subsequent years as cars like the Toyota Celica made inroads on showroom floors. The 1977 tally of 153,173 vehicles remained quite healthy, but only 6,719 buyers were prepared to pay the premium for the Mach 1 version. This is one of those cars, and its presentation is hard to fault. Its performance should be significantly improved courtesy of the engine upgrades, although the included original parts could allow the buyer to return the car to its factory form. The Malaise Era was a miserable time automotively, and this beauty would address some of the criticism leveled at vehicles from the period. That’s why I would leave this gem as-is. Do you agree?