After sales continued to decline year after year, Ford redesigned the Mustang in 1974. Now dubbed Mustang II, the car was 500 lbs. lighter and 19 inches shorter than the 1973 model, which had become big and bloated over time. The Mach 1 continued as one of the performance models, relying on a V6 engine because big V8s were no longer needed or in fashion (remember the OPEC oil crisis of 1973-74?). This 1974 edition was purchased by the seller to use as a parts car, but it may be too nice for that, so it’s up for resale. Located in North Branch, Minnesota, this project Mustang is available here on eBay where the current bid is $800.

Timing for the new, smaller Mustang couldn’t have been better timed. It came out just as fuel prices were on the rise, and buyers responded enthusiastically. Sales more than doubled in 1974 to 385,000 units of which 44,000 were the Mach 1 – sold only as a 3-door hatchback. The seller’s listing is slightly confusing as the model year is listed as both a 1974 and a 1978, but the VIN supplied is that of a ’74 ‘Stang. The seller wanted to take the car apart for another project but has decided to look for a rougher candidate.

This Mach 1’s V6 engine is long gone and the automatic transmission is out of the vehicle but is still hanging around. The body is somewhat rough, and the burgundy paint has run its course, but the interior has survived for the most part (as best we can tell) although we’re told it needs a few things. Some of the trim pieces have been removed but were kept, too. And the glass is intact and quite good. The dashpad was replaced, but the job was not professionally done.

The front inner fenders are rusty as liners were not used in 1974 but were added in 1975. We’re told the roof has some surface rust because something wet was laid there and stayed for a good while. You’ll have to source another engine, so perhaps this is an opportunity to go with a small V8 like a 302. The air conditioning and other hardware have survived, and a bunch of brackets will be included. The seller is upfront in saying he/she is just trying to recover the money already tied up in the car, hence no reserve.