Talk about perfect timing. Ford reinvented its once-popular Mustang pony car in 1974. It had become big and bloated, and sales were way off. So, they went the route of a smaller economy car – just as the OPEC oil embargo hit, sending gas prices through the roof (to more than 50 cents per gallon, yikes!). The seller’s ’74 Mustang II (as they called it) is the fancier Ghia model and comes with a V6 engine and 4-speed manual transmission (perhaps the best combination available at the time). Located in Arroyo Grande, California, this survivor-quality pony car is available here on craigslist for $6,500. Once again, Tony Primo is flush with tips for us!
From a peak of 607,000 copies in 1966, Mustang sales had dropped to 135,000 units in 1973. By then, the car was much larger than the original concept, gaining 500 pounds over the years while riding on the same basic platform. So, Ford decided to cut it down to size – which resulted in sales of 386,000 units of the Mustang II in 1974. Where the original was a sporty version of the Ford Falcon, the Mustang was now a sporty version of the Pinto (with a different sub-frame) and could even be had with a 4-cylinder engine.
While the 140 cubic inch inline-4 was standard fare in the Mustang, you could get a 171 CI V6 as an option and we assume that’s the engine in the seller’s car (no pics under the hood). While both coupe and fastback body styles were available, the fancier Ghia was solely offered on the coupe. This Mustang looks like a nice car considering that you rarely see a Mustang II these days (despite their large production numbers). We’re told it runs well, though the shifter may be a bit finicky and the air conditioning needs some work at 73,000+ miles.
The body and paint look okay, though there is ample surface rust on the undercarriage. A vinyl top is present, and we get a glimpse of a sunroof. We’re told there are some rust “dots” on the hood which may require a repaint and the interior is fine except for faded carpeting. The seller mentions that the inside of the trunk needs some work, but we don’t know what that means (no photo). With a new battery already installed, this pony might be ready to ride.
Looks like a decent driver, especially given how few survive. Mustang II’s, especially Ghias, were very nicely trimmed. That was by design; it was a point of emphasis by Iacocca. I like the eye-catching red/white. Manual transmission is good to get performance from the emissions-choked V6.
I’ll be ‘that guy’: I wouldn’t describe it as a “sporty version of the Pinto (with a different sub-frame)”. It’s a different car.
Agreed Bob, the stick shift makes it here. Nice Ghia.
Its a banner day on Barn finds for “misfits”. 60 Nash, 85 Reliant, 78 Pacer,85 Lebaron, 71 Pinto and this Mustang.
This little Mustang just didn’t fit the image of a Mustang. Wasn’t this the one that was ‘jewel like’ or was that some other shrunken Ford? Our government did this to cars and left trucks alone. Now, there are no more cars to speak of. We need cars again.
I think it depends on how you look at it. To me, the Mustang II is very similar to the original in appearance, so no harm there.
What people tend to remember is what they looked like in the muscle pony car era, short-lived as it was.
It’s a 4-cylinder. The filler panel between the edge of the hood and the grille was narrow for V6s, wider for 4s.
I had a couple ’74s, both manuals & 4-bangers. A lot of fun.
The filler panel between the edge of the hood and the grille was wider in 1974 on all Mustang models regardless of the engine. It was narrowed in 1975 for all cars to move the radiator forward and make room for the V-8.
I’m wrong. Thin front panel denotes a 302. Apologies.
Actually, wrong both times. 1974 saw the wider panel between the front and the hood for both engines, 4 and 6 (there was no V8 in 1974).
Beautiful looking car. It looks brand new. I think a V6 engine would’ve made a better engine option than the V8 engine option that was available. Although not very popular among Mustang enthusiasts, I’d love to drive one provided it’s been carefully driven and maintained. If only more pictures were posted.
V8 not available until ’75.
So what? What do you need a V8 engine for? For a car of this size, a V6 is perfect.
Because, you wrote this “I think a V6 engine would’ve made a better engine option than the V8 engine option that was available.”
Just making sure that you knew that a V8 option was not available in 1974.
Very appealing car at an appealing hobby-car price. Would be fun to daily drive this on my 8-mile commute but the risk of an accident would increase from the gawkers.
Many will argue with me and tell me how wrong I am but I always considered these years to be glorified pinto’s because of how low you sit in the car with the high drive line tunnel and the very similar gauge cluster with circle guages and similar knobs and switches to the pinto doesn’t change the fact that I still like them, obviously a lot better than the pinto in regards to style.
Gauge’s were totally different. Interiors were totally different. Suspension was different. And many small cars had a high driveline. If they were rear wheel drive. They used the same engines, though.
Will take a little work, but someone could have a nice classic for a reasonable price. These were always sharp little cars…. never-ending the nausayers.
I lived in this area in 1974 / 1975. I knew the gal that drove this car. She went to the same high school as me. and my friends. Later in 1975 I bought a used 1974 Mustang II Mach 1. Cranberry red with the silver “Ghia” interior .
V-6 with a four speed manual hatchback . Fun car , fun times , back in the 70’s
I don’t understand why the Mustang II isn’t popular among Mustang enthusiasts. I’ve heard people insist that it’s because it’s based on the Pinto. Even if that’s so, so what? They had to have taken parts from somewhere. Wasn’t the 1964 Mustang based on the Falcon?