12 replies to this topic

[Bob Riebe]

https://www.hagerty....-ii-ever-built/

 

 

The Ford Mustang II doesn’t get a lot of respect. They were born during an oil crisis and when they debuted as 1974 models, they did so without a V-8 engine option. Still, their styling, size, and fuel economy made them a sales success. While their ‘70s engines and suspensions don’t do them any favors when compared to more modern Mustangs, the underlying design is worth celebrating.

Brett Behrens used a fastback from the final year of Mustang II production, 1978, to show what could be done with a lot of vision and even more talented fabrication.

 

Here’s how it looked when it was show at SEMA in 2014.

Edited by Bob Riebe, 09 June 2024 - 17:39.

[Greg Locock]

Well, it is a damn sight nicer looking than this monstrosity https://en.wikipedia...)_(cropped).jpg

 

Any ideas why you can post jpg and i can't?

[Secretariat]

I remember this car. Considered a Mustang II after seeing it. Glad it is getting more love with that headline because it is. The V10 was interesting but can understand going with a Coyote. Goes to show a project build is never really done. 

[10kDA]

Ummm... no. My vote goes to Charlie Kemp's IMSA car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Secretariat]

Ummm... no. My vote goes to Charlie Kemp's IMSA car.

 

 

 

 

It is a cool story for this car. Article has some nice photos as well

 

https://performance....mustang-ii.html:

 

 

 

[Lee Nicolle]

https://www.hagerty....-ii-ever-built/

 

 

The Ford Mustang II doesn’t get a lot of respect. They were born during an oil crisis and when they debuted as 1974 models, they did so without a V-8 engine option. Still, their styling, size, and fuel economy made them a sales success. While their ‘70s engines and suspensions don’t do them any favors when compared to more modern Mustangs, the underlying design is worth celebrating.

Brett Behrens used a fastback from the final year of Mustang II production, 1978, to show what could be done with a lot of vision and even more talented fabrication.

 

Here’s how it looked when it was show at SEMA in 2014.

I like the early color scheme better.

[Secretariat]

I had forgotten to post previously but here is a look the build with the V10.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=PGoZlICY_6Q

 

 

Also, a video update from a few years ago which gives more recent details of the car and evolution.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=bjCtGkLrpiE

[desmo]

Girl I knew in high school got a Mustang II for her graduation. Kinda felt sorry for here, even though I got nothing.

[Secretariat]

Girl I knew in high school got a Mustang II for her graduation. Kinda felt sorry for here, even though I got nothing.

I suppose you can say that about a lot of 70's cars. Conceptually, the Mustang II is probably more in line with the original car. History has not looked favorably on this for whatever reason, but everyone seemed to enjoy Mustang II parts for their own hot rods and other mods. Nonetheless, this particular one is nice.

[Magoo]

People like to rail against the Mustang II but actually, it saved the Mustang brand. As the Mustang grew larger and more expensive, the sales volume fell.

 

The Mustang II was the best-selling Mustang in history next to the original. 

 

Lee Iacocca, generally credited as the father of the Mustang, was of the view that the Mustang II returned the car to its original premise. 

 

He never intended the Mustang to be a sports car or muscle car, but a stylish and economical car for teachers, students, secretaries, young professionals, etc. 

Edited by Magoo, 18 August 2024 - 12:50.

[Canuck]

I don't say this very often...perhaps ever...I agree <ahem>...<cough>....I uh...<hem>...I agree with Lee!

 

There. I said it.

[Canuck]

Iacocca may have had an idea of what he intended to build, but someone had the foresight to see the Mustang's easy slide into a more aggressive sport/muscle category as a bigger (longer) home run than a nice, cheap, secretary's car. Had it stayed that, we would remember what the Mustang was in the hands of drag racers and hot rodders, wondering why the factory never saw the market and bemoaning the death of the model. To wit, the Mustang 2 is not with us, whether it saved the Mustang or not. but I digress, my two cents on the car aren't worth those 2 pennies. I do like the specific subject car of the thread however.

[Magoo]

I suppose I would be remiss if I didn't mention that while Lee Iacocca was the marketing mind behind the Ford Mustang, its father on the technical side was Don Frey. 

 

Frey was known to be one of the smartest people in the car industry. He spoke three languages fluently, English, French, and Russian, and had multiple graduate degrees in mathematics and metallurgy. Along with the Mustang, he was also responsible for the original Ford Bronco and the "Magic Doorgate" aka two-way tailgate. 

 

There is a story I can't vouch for totally but is too good not to share. One Sunday sitting in church, Ford president Robert S. McNamara designed a car. There were no sketches or drawings, only tables of figures. 

 

McNamara took the figures to Frey, who said, "What kind of car would this be? Family, sports, luxury?" McNamara answered, "Oh, that's interesting. You can work all that out."

 

The car was the Ford Fairlane, essentially a Falcon with more air between the parts for a greater markup.