After literally outgrowing the “pony car” market it created, the Ford Mustang was reinvented as a smaller package in 1974. Launched just before the OPEC oil embargo, sales flourished once again, though softened by the time the seller’s GT hatchback was built in 1978. Located on a trailer, this potential barn find is available here on Facebook Marketplace from Philadelphia, Mississippi. The asking price is $4,500, and this ‘Stang is a tip brought to us by. PRA4SNW.
Few cars have made the sales turnaround. Having gained 800 lbs. since its birth in 1964, Mustang production dropped from a high of 607,000 copies in 1966 to 135,000 in 1973. Now fit and trim with its new Pinto-based trappings, Mustang II sales exploded to 385,000 copies in ’74. But by ’78 demand had fallen to a still-respectable 192,000 cars, with the “Foxbody” pony arriving in ’79. 40% of 1978 Mustangs had the 2+2 hatchback configuration, like the seller’s car, which also has the GT package.
The seller’s listing for this vehicle has practically zero details. Besides revealing that the Ford is said to have 79,000 miles and an automatic transmission, the information stops there. We don’t even know if the Mustang runs, but it probably has the optional 171 cubic inch V6 that won’t help break the sound barrier.
This could be an original barn find. The body and white paint all seem up to snuff, and the red interior shows very little wear. If there are no mechanical woes, this Mustang seems to be priced right. Now, if this had been a Cobra rather than a gas-sipping GT, there might be a beeline of buyers stacking up.
Looks like a Mustang II in reasonable condition for not a ton of money.
Nothing like an eight-word ad for a car on a trailer in the Wal Mart parking lot. So beyond what we see in the pics, not much info.
I am not aware of Ford using the “GT” nomenclature for any Mustang II model or option package.
Ford never made a Mustang II GT. By 1978, hatchbacks were available as base 2+2, Mach 1, Cobra II, and King Cobra. It wouldn’t surprise me if some enterprising dealers slapped “GT” decals on base 2+2s to squeeze an extra hundred bucks out of gullible customers. However, I see no such decals or other GT identification on this car.
Probably this or another recent owner taking advantage of the popularity of the GT identity built up by Ford surrounding the 65-68 and 86-2025 Mustang GT’s. It’s just a way someone figured they could squeeze a few extra dollars out of the car.
Steve R
As a Mustang nut, I have had a’66, ‘68, ‘69, ‘70, ‘71, 72, 78, ‘80 and a ‘85 GT.
In 1978I do not recall a “GT” Mustang . I do remember the Stallion, Cobra and King Cobra a Ghia but no GT. I could be wrong but I don’t think so. If I am wrong I will make a public apology!😆
This one has got me scratching my head. I’ve never heard of a Mustang II GT. Especially on a V-6 automatic, give me a break. I’m surprised FORD got away with names like MACH 1, Cobra and King Cobra on their gas cruncher Mustang II. Mustang GT was made from 1965 thru 1969 and did not reappear until 1982.
Doesn’t GT stand for glued together??
If this style is your thing, and surely someone out there has a heartstring connected to these, then locate a healthy 289 Hi Po and 4 speed tranny. Set it up with 4 wheel disc brakes and 5 lug hubs. Then you can fit a nice set of Magnum 500 rims inside the wheel wells. You’ll need to beef up that rearend too. A carpet replacement and what appears to be a pretty simple amount of bodywork and a respray and you will have a nice little cruiser, most likely the only one around the local car shows. I saw a deep red one in Loganville GA last year setup just as I’ve described and it was a real eye catcher.
And find a radiator and core support from a V8 Mustang II. And a 3 pedal setup, and… 🤔 Or just buy something with a V8 already present.
I’m almost with you, except I’d go with a 302/5.0L instead of the 289. They use the same block, the 302 just employs a stroker crank to get the additional cubic inches from the same block. 302’s are likely to be more plentiful, therefore cheaper, either at the local junkyard, er, excuse me, automotive recycling center, LOL, or as a crate motor!
Right. It’s not like 289 hi-pos are sitting around on a shelf, waiting to be bought. A true solid lifter K-code 289 woud be worth much more than this litte car is.
A coworker friend working for the county started a business many years ago to supplement our meager paychecks by “dolling up” stuff on the old iron lots abounding in our town.
GT decals were a popular item to add to otherwise mundane cars. One “bargain car” lot owners had us slap GT stickers over the Bondo on a well used Yugo then had Dave lay down some thick pinstripe tape over the dented/rusted/missing paint places on other parts of the car.
Beautiful car. I’ve always loved the Mustang II. I’ve never understood why it’s so damn unpopular with Mustang collectors today. If it was here in Tacoma Washington, I would at least loved to have looked at it and possibly driven the car.
Hmm. Who knows what was going on here. It looks like the a/c was removed. Why?
Usually the compressor seizes and the owner doesn’t want to spend the coin to replace it, especially when they find out what it costs to either recharge the A/C system with the R12 ozone-toxic refrigerant that these cars used, or to convert the system to ozone-safe R143a refrigerant operation.
Yes, R12 refrigerant is still available, at prices only a millionaire can afford, but yes, you can still buy it. The high price is designed to encourage folks to convert to one of the more ozone-friendly alternatives instead, but that also has costs associated with it, primarily the cost of a new compressor compatible with the ozone-safe formulas (formulae?).
This Mustang II has the Rallye pkg. There was never a Mustang II GT.
No such beast as a Mustang II GT. Sorry..