Mustang of the Day: Ford Mustang II
Counting Down to the 50th Anniversary
1974 Ford Mustang II Hardtop
While the Ford Mustang II was among the best-selling Mustangs of the pony car’s near 50 year history, it has gained dislike from some devout Mustang fans across the globe. Notable for the Ford Mustang II was the absence of the V8 engine, as well as the apparent downsizing: it shed 500 pounds and shrunk by 19 inches.
1974 Ford 2.8-liter V6 for the Mustang II replaced the V8.
It was the decision to do this to the Mustang, however, that has likely kept the American icon on roadways still today. That’s because after the original Ford Mustang hit the market, other automakers immediately began to emulate it to match its success. With each passing year, the cars became bigger and badder, trying to outdo one another—and the Mustang had to go along for the ride to stay relevant. Eventually, the Mustang grew nearly 700 pounds heavier and over a foot longer, just at a time that demand for small cars began to grow.
Enter the Ford Mustang II, to take the Mustang back to its roots. With the oil embargo in the Middle East in 1973 and the surging gas prices that followed, the downsizing of the Mustang, and its engine, was actually very well timed. While the Ford Mustang II might not have had the same exciting acceleration of the Mustangs before it, it did restore the agility that pony car aficionados had come to know and love. And, to quell the concerns of the still dissatisfied, Ford brought back a V8 for the second year of the Mustang II.
Check out our Ford Mustang II: Through the Years gallery below:
Ford Mustang II Photos
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- 1974 Mustang II Hardtop
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- 1974 Ford Mustang II Hardtop
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- 1976 Ford Mustang II 2+2
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- 1976 Ford Mustang II Mach II
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- 1976 Ford Mustang II Cobra II
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- 1976 Ford Mustang II Cobra II
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- 1977 Mustang II Cobra II
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- 1978 Ford Mustang II King Cobra
Timothy Moore takes his leadership inspiration from Michael Scott, his writing inspiration from Mark Twain, and his dancing inspiration from every drunk white guy at a wedding. When Tim is not writing about cars and money, he’s working on his novel or reading someone else’s, geeking out over strategy board games, hiking with his pooch, or channeling his inner Linda Belcher over beers with his friends. See more articles by Timothy.