Adapt or Die: The Mustang II Story

Ford's second-generation Mustang has been dismissed for years as little more than a re-skinned Pinto. But did this much maligned mare actually represent the lowest point of the blue oval's equestrian efforts? Discover the truth in "Adapt or Die: The Mustang II Story", the most in-depth documentary ever made about Ford's forsaken filly.

[@Toby4ster]

As an owner of a 1978 Mustang II King Cobra that I’ve owned for 35 yrs, I think this is one of the best documentaries that I’ve ever seen. Thanks for your efforts and time in producing it!

[@keithmccants2639]

I had one with a Cobra on the hood 13 I n wheels 4 spd 302

[@itshalo3220]

Nice to see another king cobra owner. I picked mine up recently and am in the process of fixing up some of her flaws. She still has a good running original engine, and interior minus some upholstery tearing on the driver seat. The paint needs fixed up because she’s just a dark blue rattle can but I love the car!

[@olsmokey5256]

Nice cool car. A mustang enthusiast I worked with yrs. ago built a '76 cobra with a 351 Cleveland, an 8.8 rear end, and a T5 five speed trans. dark navy blue, Black leather interior, I LOVED that car. It truly was a Gorgeous beautiful little car.

[@Aviyaytor]

Toby, I have to agree. Well done documentary, Mr. Kennedy! Previous owner of a 74 hatchback 2 with ( I think 5 speed?) and a 2800cc V-6. Fast car I paid 300.00 for it in like 1986. Body and interior was a little rough with like 70k on it. Memory is fuzzy on it as I was in HS. I also had a 1976 notchback in great condition I paid like 400 for it. It wasn’t running though and had no time to fix. Wish I had them both now.

[@terryadams9495]

I have a mustang 2 right today 1974 with a 331 stroker in it with 17 inches wheels been had it for 35 years

[@marcusmcbean164]

I never own a Mustang II but I sure built thousands of them. I worked on the engine line at the Dearborn assembly from 1973 to 1975 were they were built. Seeing your video really took me back to those days. We worked 10 hours shifts six days a week. I believe we were cranking out 76 cars an hour, it was hot and the air was full of oil from the air guns on the line. No robots in those days, third of the workers in the plant were spot welders, body painters and sanders. The worst job on the line was hand stamping the VIN on the engine block while it was moving down the line. We would cat call the girls in the tours that came through the plant or the private tour for the Mary Kay sales winner watching her Pink painted Mustang getting assembled. The guys on the body line just hated getting that 302 V8 into the body while trying to keep up with line. Many times the line had to be stop because they couldn't keep up with the speed of the line if they had more than two bodies with V8s back to back. Thanks for taking back to my youth.

[@marcusmcbean164]

@@robertkennedy8420 Glad to hear you enjoy a few memories. I live in San Antonio, TX now. If we can't meet maybe a phone call would work.

[@marcusmcbean164]

I don't do Facebook. Do you have email on your KZbin channel?

[@marcusmcbean164]

@@robertkennedy8420 I have it.

[@bobstiles1681]

As the original owner of a 77 Cobra. II, bought in October 1976 (still have the car 45 years later)I found this to be one of the best informational pieces I have seen.. From the time I first bought the car I have been told what a mistake I had made. But I ignored the derision, because it was such a fun car to drive. I have never regretted for one moment buying or keeping the car all this time. It is nice to see that after all these years of being put down the car is finally gaining some respect.

[@ixlr8677]

i know but in reverse. had a 69 hemi charger.

[@gregbenwell6173]

The Cobra was the only one worth a damn, frankly speaking!! My parents wouldn't allow me to own a Mustang II with a V8 in it!! And honestly the three cars I got stuck with were total garbage! I had a 1974 and 1975 Mach 1 (both fastbacks) and a 1975 4 cylinder Ghia fastback!! I originally wanted a 1965 to 1968 Mustang Fastback, BUT again my parents NEVER allowed me to own or buy the cars I wanted to buy!! In fact I once bought a 1965 Mustang with an inline six in it, and they made me return it!! I had also bought a 1974 Maverick four door with a 302 in it, and they forced me to take that back as well!! According to them "They didn't want a pile of junk sitting in their dooryard", yet all three of my Mustang II cars were constantly broke down, parked in their driveway more often than I can remember!! And THEY picked those cars for me to own and drive....not me!!! The crazy thing was I had my own money, and I worked constantly saving up for "the car I wanted to own", but again.....every time I bought myself a car, truck or van I was forced to return it! Their house, their rules!!! And at one point I even bought two different Chevy Vans and they made me get rid of them too, as well as a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe!!! I had even bought a number of other cars they forced me to take back, including a 1966 Ford Fairlane two door with a 289 V8, a 1967 Dodge Coronet 500 (with a 440 in it), a 1969 Mustang fastback, and a 1968 Ford F-150 two wheel drive pick up!!!

[@cydonianman]

You should have stripped down the cars they let you keep, get one of them in running shape if possible, stripped the rest into as many peices you can, trade in the functioning car for the one you want then moved out leaving the scraps behind.

[@darylkik777]

A friend I worked with in highschool at Pizza hut (Circa 1985) Had the blue and white Mustang Cobra Two and I loved driving it once in a while. If I remember right it had no power steering or brakes but once you were moving a few miles an hour who cared. Under powered sure but what was American car was not with gas hitting over a dollar a gallon. Compared to my 76 Ford Granada 2 door with no AC and a 250CI Straight from hell six. (Single barrel carb too.)

[@TTGTO288]

​@@gregbenwell6173 Damn dude!! To own all those vehicles since you were 16, you must've been what? 25 by the time you moved out? And that's being conservative.

[@scoman73]

Absolutely the best mustang II documentary period! Anywhere! Outstanding job! Thank you for this

[@alan6832]

@@robertkennedy8420 If they couldn't make the performance versions more powerful, the obvious way to make them faster is by making them lighter, and the obvious way to do that is by removing most of the sound deadening that you said rivaled the Lincoln. You actually mentioned that Mustang 2's performance rivaled some earlier years but you also said it wasn't as powerful as, at least, the big block years; but those cars were much heavier, so power is not a proper measure. You could compare acceleration but the thing to really compare is road course times where the later car can benefit from things like radial tires to partly compensate for the lost big block acceleration. But the main thing the performance contractors of the Cobra 2 should have been doing is stripping out luxury to save weight, starting with sound insulation, aluminum radiator, intake manifold and hood, plastic windows, AC delete option or even mandate, small battery in rear, and maybe even remove a seat to make it 2 or 3 passenger. If their performance muffler could reduce back pressure, that's a plus too. That's it's job, not audio aesthetics, especially not on the inside! Such a car might even improve fuel economy as well as performance.

[@alan6832]

@@robertkennedy8420 Here's the OTHER way Ford could have made the Cobra accelerate, at no cost in fuel or smog. And Tony still has a steel hood, copper radiator, and glass all around! kzbin.info/www/bejne/amrNpmt-bbaMg9E

[@alan6832]

@@robertkennedy8420 I don't know which items on my list would have been legal, but I think some would. Aluminum radiator for example.

[@douglorimer5985]

Well to each his own. 😂

[@douglorimer5985]

@@alan6832 but that's just it,they could have made them faster.I worked for for in this time......It was a terrible time for all automotive enthusiasts. This car just represent s A terrible time in American history, That most of us want to forget.This car represents what can happen when you have to much government,And nerds running the factory😂.

[@yarddad6479]

I'm glad I came across this older video, as a life time Mustang guy, I remember in the mid 80's a friend had a blue with white stripped Cobra 2, thanks for the history and memories

[@BloodRaven1969]

As a Ford lover this is a GREAT Mustang II documentary, easily the best I have ever seen. I only noted one error, The Plymouth Barracuda came out three months earlier then the original Mustang and was its only direct competition, with the Mopar 273 V8 available.

[@robertsmith199]

Oh no this proved to be a great documentary, thanks ! I pretty much despised the Mustang II more or less until seeing this, but now I appreciate it actually and it's value! Thank you for making it !! :-)

[@ethancastetter6794]

I have a 1978 Mustang II myself and I’ve really enjoyed watching this to learn more about the history, thank you for putting this together. It definitely deserves more attention.

[@TTGTO288]

No, it doesn't.

[@ryanfgrantjr3009]

What I loved about the Mustang II was that Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith drove these on "Charlie's Angels."

[@michaelb.42112]

Ahh, the 70's !

[@vinnydaq13]

Farrah got the Cobra II, Jaclyn got a standard Mustang II. But poor, poor Kate Jackson got stuck with a Pinto….the horror! The horror!

[@ryanfgrantjr3009]

@@vinnydaq13 but at least her Pinto was orange with a white side stripe on the exterior paint,,,,,,,plus all orange interiror if i remember..ha ha, how awful....but back in 1977 maybe it was cool? oh well....poor kate

[@diggman33]

A really unique perspective on the much under loved, and highly overlooked Mustang II. Great job putting this documentary together!

[@rareblues78daddy]

@@robertkennedy8420 It was a pile of shit then, and an even bigger pile today. Don't kid yourself.

[@jeffreydurham5342]

​@@robertkennedy8420¡

[@jamesspeck4151]

A great documentary - Always loved the Mustang II, drove quite a few as well.

[@arnoldnellis6120]

Love the video and thanks for pointing out that instead of being a mistake, the II's were actually a saving grace to the motorsports we all enjoy! own a 78 Ghia myself.

[@branon6565]

The production level of this documentary is high, it really is very well put together, and I'm not of this opinion just because I'm a born Ford man...lol 👏🇺🇸

[@Braglemaster123]

It’s junk ‘

[@packardexelence]

AGAIN I AM A GM MAN;----TOP QUALIY DOCUMENTARY!!!!!!!!!!!! (but i STILL miss the ERA comparisons I suggested above)

[@lilibethdoherty295]

The Mid Seventies was a very strange time. The fact that Mustang was so different than it was previously was part of the strangeness.

[@ronniemegaman2832]

I own a '78 mustang II, hard top model. Metallic brown originally with a full vinyl roof. I Love this car, been driving it since 1989, needs to be fully restored.

[@tommurphy4307]

good luck- it's one of the hardest modern fords to find body parts for.

[@rickskjeie6861]

This is a great video. I have watched it a couple times. Nice job!

[@clarkgriswold5903]

What a great documentary about the Mustang II, I enjoyed every minute of it! I bought a new '86 Mustang GT BITD, I had so much fun with it driving all over the country!

[@TheGuitologist]

Fantastic documentary! What a great piece of writing. I enjoyed every minute of that. My dad had a Mustang II when I was around 10. Seeing that Ford steering wheel reminds me of learning to drive in it.

[@tommurphy4307]

you had to learn to drive in a mustang II? i'm sorry.

[@jonnycando]

@@robertkennedy8420 it was a product of its time….emissions reduction…fuel economy…..things that were very much in short supply…..but you had to start somewhere…and it turned out to be a cool car…and the fox platform had a long fruitful life.

[@mitchellboyd9024]

Mustang II is an awesome car. Wish I hadn’t past my chance to get a King Cobra. You could make a living doing car reviews. Good luck

[@robbygee2539]

It was a decal... Thats it. Just a decal.

[@brighter22]

Took my sisters 76 cobra for a test drive in 81 and recalled I could not wait to get back home. One shake, rattle, roll, repeat, after another.

[@robbygee2539]

@@brighter22 They were a heap of garbage.

[@sierraavenger2432]

I really appreciate your work on this documentary, well done! I owned a 75 red notch back as my first car back in 1992 in High School! I had fun with it as I paid $750 for it back then even though people looked at me funny LOL. I later owned a 1989 GT 5-speed and really loved that also. I hope you have time to make more of these.

[@lunaticfringe8066]

Nice work Robert, thanks for putting in the time and effort showcasing our mighty M2s!

[@jonathansparks7558]

Amen 🙏

[@robertaubroeck2466]

Hi, i have a 01/74 mustang 2+2 in the Netherlands with 45000 original kilometers on it. Bought it from the first owner after sitting in a garage from 1981.. It is in very good condition and did a little restomod on it. This video helped a lot for me to understand the history of this car. Thanks a lot.

[@bonnieneureuter2604]

I'm in the final stages of refinishing my mustang ii that I have had since I was 16, which was almost 30 years ago now. This was the best video I have ever watched on these cars, and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed watching it. Just the motivation I needed to keep going on these midnight garage nights I have been enduring! Thank you so much for all the time and effort it must have taken to put this together! Blessings!

[@tdvandy2]

Absolutely excellent! It's nice to know the II is finally getting some serious respect. Ford itself may not have survived were it not for the success of the Mustang II. I owned a 1975 Ghia with 302 that had similar mods to yours back in the mid eighties. It was white with a green vinyl half top. The grille was painted gloss black over the chrome. I surprised a lot of people at stoplights. haha. I did not surprise several officers that wrote me tickets, however. Anyway, thanks again!

[@VVa11ace]

As a new owner of a 76 Mustang 2 Cobra in need of some repair, this video has given me some education on my new pony. Thank you for taking the time and sharing this knowledge

[@larryhoover3659]

For a $0 budget you did an outstanding job. Now bring that bad boy through Phoenix so I can ride shotgun !!!

[@TheGearheadLounge]

Absolutely the best info out there on Mustang IIs! Excellent video, and your Cobra II is awesome! I'm creating a series of history videos on my channel, and once I get to this generation, your video will be extremely helpful! I'll even post a link to your video on mine once I do it (if that's okay with you). I'm glad to see someone else out there who appreciates the fact that this Mustang saved the name, but you took it the extra step in saying that it actually saved the muscle car industry as well! I never thought of it that way, but you're right!

[@f150bft]

Great video. I learned a lot. Thanks for you time invested in putting this together.

[@rx6180]

I really enjoyed watching your documentary. I'm in England and in my late 50s, so I was 12 years old when the Mustang II was launched. I'm honestly not certain if I was aware of the model before its appearance on TV in Charlie's Angels in 1976 (I also had a British motoring magazine in 1976 with tiny b/w photos of every single car model on sale in Britain that year, which included Mustang II) but I've always had a liking for it, probably because its size was more sane for British roads than the average American land yacht, and the 2.3 liter four cylinder engine was closely related to the fours installed in British and European Fords of the time. The European pony car, the Ford Capri, also entered its second generation in 1974, gaining all new sheet metal along with a hatchback, with folding rear seats to increase carrying capacity, and mirroring the naming of Mustang II, the new Capri was called Capri II, so I guess whenever I discovered the new Mustang, it's association with our own Capri through the 'II' moniker also made it stand out. Another parallel is that the Capri II, probably back when it was launched and almost certainly as a classic car today, is seen as the 'soft option' among Capri enthusiasts, having neither the purity of the Mk1 nor the aggressive look of the Mk3s, which body wise were simply an updated Capri II with chrome trim removed and replaced with black trim, and the rectangular headlamps being replaced with round quad headlamps, which were given an aggressive frown with a hood brow overhanging the top of them, long before it became fashionable for all cars to look very angry. All Capris could be had in puny 1.3 liter form at entry level, but the Capri II's four year production run, also ending in 1978 like the Mustang II, was dwarfed by the eight year run of the Mk3 Capri, which by 1986 was limited to a 1.6 liter entry model and the 2.8 liter injection, with the last ones being built in December 1986 and therefore the last to be registered, all 280 'Brooklands' models, being sold in 1987. Unlike the Mustang, that was the end of our pony car era. While most American cars of most eras have styling features that, compared to European cars, I might politely describe as a bit 'loud', the Mustang II probably appealed to me, even before I could drive, because it looked like a distinctly American car that could be driven and parked in Britain without fearing you were going to take out a lamp post or somebody driving towards you, because of the extreme proportions seen with other U.S. models. Among the car brochures I collected in the mid 2000s, mostly for British makes of the 60s and 70s, I've got an eight page brochure by Ford Personal Import Export Ltd, printed in September 1977, and the Ford Mustang II was available with right hand drive in Ghia and Mach I form, with the 4.9 liter V8 (no small fours!) along with the Australian Ford Fairmont sedan and station wagon and the Mercury Monarch Ghia.

[@mortimersnerd9991]

Nice work Robert. My first car was a 77. Starting from a roller, I am building a 78 Mach I with the notion to “fix” the factory flaws and little else. Your documentary is very good. I know a lot about this car yet I learned a few things. So its worth the 50 minutes. I think this model confuses a lot of people so I am glad you took the time to straightens some things out. The vague hand-me-down car knowledge simply dictates that the model must be hated without really explaining why. Its just not an oversized knuckle dragger. That’s all. One unique thing about the model is you can go to Summit and see Mustang II IFS on the pegs in an aisle. Seeing that alone was inspiration enough for me that I had chosen a legitimate build project. What other car is famous for its chassis parts 45 years on? With windsor aftermarket parts, it is hardly a challenge to make any power level ever achieved in earlier factory models. So yea, this car is a winner. Mustang II, Boredom 0.

[@nickcaruth8939]

thanks... you did a great job on this video.....74-78 mustang now getting some credit i love that

[@Vangremlin81]

Thanks for the documentary. I'm old enough to remember when the Mustang II's came out, and the story of the shareholder who requested that Ford return the car to it's original size. It truly is underappreciated and hopefully that continues to change. Really enjoyed the walk around and drive off! Thanks.

[@hughjass1044]

I'm a member of a Mustang club. We host our own all Ford show every year and travel to several others. Last one we put on before COVID, we had 120 entries. All kinds of old classic Mustangs and Shelbys of every variety you can think of along with a few T-Birds, Galaxies, Fairlanes and such but the cars that drew the most attention were the 8 big body '71-'73s and most of all, the 1 (one!) '77 fastback. It wasn't a Cobra or anything, just a really well preserved V6 fastback but for most of the show, you couldn't get near it there was such a crowd around it. It's truly amazing how many people have no knowledge of the Mustang II. Lots of younger folks know the '64-'70 range well enough because they see and hear so much about them and of course the Fox bodies and newer are very recent and have a following all their own but that middle portion between '71-'78 is not well known to a lot of people; especially the Mustang II. It doesn't surprise me that they're enjoying a bit of a resurgence because of the whole retro/nostalgia thing and also, because there aren't that many quality examples left, prices have been quite strong. I'm happy to see it, actually. Fond memories of those '70s cars.

[@machdaddy6451]

The mustangs of the sixties were faster than the ones from the seventies, but now the current Mustangs are faster than those from the sixties. I'm just glad that performance is still alive. Thanks so much for no ads! I really respect that.

[@arnepianocanada]

Your postlude is right on. I protest strongly when reviewers dump on an older car based on today's standards. You have a superb voice, and I love your no-frills style of presenting.

[@arnepianocanada]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU! The widespread 'diss' of this car is like disparaging a bridge that saved life in the crossing of it. You've shown this maligned car the respect it deserves.

[@craigwilliams7635]

I have lost track of how many Mustangs I have owned, 64&1/2 to an 88 Saleen. I also like history, and have been to countless car shows, and I had an uncle with a Ford Dealership. All that to say, I NEVER had heard that a Mustang II convertible existed. New found respect for these cars! Thank you for a fantastic documentary!

[@niteclydn]

I grew up in the 80's. My dad worked for Chrysler but ran a business out of his garage on the side rebuilding motors. I remember he mainly rebuilt 2300 Ford motors, so i remember dads work car was a Stang II, moms car was a red notchback Stang II and my sisters car was a Hatchback Stang II, all rebuilt 2300 4 speed cars. We couldnt KILL those cars! That 2300 ALWAYS started!! So regardless of the haters in the car world, I'll always love the Stang II

[@niteclydn]

@@robertkennedy8420 my local circle track had a division called "American Short Trackers" DOMINATED by Fox body Stangs and Pintos running built 2300's. I remember my dad building a few of those for race drivers back in the day, they always ran em with the timing belt covers off

[@compassioncampaigner728]

The scholarship involved in this riveting documentary is rewardingly colorful. Well done.

[@rodolfogarza2042]

Excelent job,i liked very much, very well done,thanks!!! Love your KCII,simply beautiful and one of a kind!!!

[@njg875]

I really enjoyed that slice of automotive history you put together. Particularly liked seeing the Mustang II in so many different varieties and trims. My bright orange '76 fastback which I drove for a few years in the early 80's had a 302 with cam/headers/intake. Also an aftermarket tape deck, usually with AC/DC or Rush playing (lol). Your '78 King Cobra is a beautiful example of the breed.

[@christianmotley262]

I'm a GM guy and I approve this message...

[@packardexelence]

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT I would add a 5 minute portion to SHOW some of the REAL 70's SCREW-UPS FORD's COMPETERS made of their OWN performance cars!!!!!!!!!! WORST??----CORDOBA-BASED CHARGER SE --(they even made a CHARGER DAYTONA---CORDOBA-BASED!!!!!!!!!)---I DROVE ONE!!!----O GOD WHAT A DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!! '76 OLDS 442 350CID DOG!!!!; THE faster (but hard on the eyes) NOVA-BASED GTO!!!!!!!---1971 TO 1974 PIG MERK COUGER--OK you COULD order a 460 in it;-(but WHO could feed it???); the BAD SHIP DODGE MAGMUM!!!!!!!!(all LOOKS-NO THRILL!!!!)-------------- -----THE 1970's was a DARK AMERCAN chapter in which THE MUSTANG II SHINES far BRIGHTER in CONTRAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@packardexelence]

@@robertkennedy8420 YA CHARMED ME INTO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beulahboi]

I grew up in Oldsmobiles and Chevrolets and obsessed about everything GM. My dad and I had very little in common and only got along when it came to talking about cars and hating on Ford. In 2010 I was selling Chevys when the new Camaro came out. I never thought I'd be able to afford one. I loved them. Fast forward to 2015, still couldn't afford one but the New mustang debuted and took my breath away. My dad died the year before in 2014. I can't help but wonder if he'd have loved it as much as I did. I loved it so much that in January 2021 When I could finally afford a 2010-2012 Camaro....I bought a 2016 Mustang. In my opinion the Camaro was ALWAYS a better looking car...until 2013. Chevy ruined the design. In 2015 Ford really honored the original Mustang design. In my opinion. So here I am, watching a doc about a car i never payed attention to. And your comment made me nostalgic. Thanks for reading.

[@jeffking4176]

😅🤣‼️

[@bobpaulino4714]

Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Thank you. Had a manager and assistant manager when I worked with a pizza shop in the latter '70's who both had Mustangs. Our manager had a Boss Mustang, which he raced at National Trails, and the assistant had a cobra gt. Really liked them both-- especially at the track.. I was a bit more, um, laid back and spoiled. I enjoyed my '67 Vista Cruiser wagon at the drive in movies and cruising the highways -- with it's 330ci, 320hp, 10 1/4: 1 compression and Thm 400, or my '73 LTD Brougham --- lots of interior acreage! Like the Ford products. Have had a dozen through the years. Still have an '86 F250 Lariat Supercab (5.8), '89 E150 Mark lll conversion (5.0), '94 extended Aerostar (4.0), '94 Cougar XR7 Special Edition (4.6), '99 E150 conversion (4.6), 2000 P71 (4.6), and '05 E150 StarCraft conversion.(5.4) Travelled 9 states with a suitcase and service truck, and fought fire, ran rescue and EMS for a hobby for over 30 years. Henry had it down --- reliability. Still have market share with LE, fire, EMS, and construction vehicles. Great times ---

[@Shepard2185]

I bought a barn-laid '77 Mustang II that was in the middle of being turned into a drag racer, before the prior owner left it to sit due to wiring headaches. She finally lives again, and is about to take to the roads after a lot of love and labour from myself and my roommate. She may not be the most iconic, or the most powerful, but she's got a special place in my heart. Every time that 302 fires off, it makes me smile.

[@tdeje]

Great documentary, Great appreciation for the mustang ll, beautiful car you have, also , Thanks for the great video !

[@thatguyjai]

Thank you for your time and effort in putting this documentary together. I've learned more about the Mustang ll and understand why it was built. I love the Mustang and have owned a 1984 Mustang SVO.

[@shawnsatterly6264]

Great job Robert! I enjoyed and learned from this video.

[@BigHatsince98]

I'm old enough to have been around back when people commonly bashed the Mustang II, I didn't understand why. I saw the motors as ripe cherries just dying to be picked out modified and put back in to a nimble, lightweight car that could dominate the road even back in the 80's. Some folks just have no vision, they want it ready right out of the box. I prefer to make it my own work of art personally. The Mustang II is one hell of a canvas in my opinion!

[@gregbenwell6173]

Apparently you never owned one!! I owned TWO Mach 1 Mustang IIs and a Mustang Ghia fastback!! While the cars DID look nice, the performance wasn't worth the skin they had in the game!! I never owned a V8 model of the car and my cars were one 1974 Mach 1, and the two other cars were the 1975 models!! They were not built well and very under powered, considering that they were supposed to be "An affordable sports car"! And frankly speaking I would have loved to drop a V8 into any of the three I owned........BUT at the time my parents FORBID ME from doing any modifications to my own cars, and then I didn't have a shop I could actually work on them when I owned them either!! Like YOU I too also saw the potential the little car had....they were nicely styled, but honestly lacked any serious performance value!! In fact the turbocharged inline four of the 1979s GT (and first of the Fox Body) had more horsepower then most any Mustang II offered!!

[@BDOML9101]

​@@gregbenwell6173 We cant help u were held back by your controlling parents...But no one said they were factory power houses but with a few simple mods they can be monsters..Sorry u could never do this to yours...

[@jrvbamafan1]

I just watched your documentary for the first time, and as someone that admittingly has trash talked the mustang 2s in the past, it has earned respect for what it did and what it was. You did a fantastic job in presenting everything, and as someone that is currently on my 8th mustang in about 20 years as well, I understand exactly where you are coming from about your love for these cars. I subbed to you and hope maybe one day to see another documentary from you. I'd like to see one similar to this on the foxbody models since they were around for so long. I just enjoy mustangs in general and have had everything from a 2008 Saleen to an 03 cobra. Currently have a 2017 5.0 in my driveway. You have a VERY impressive cobra. I hope you continue to enjoy it. Take care and god bless

[@jrvbamafan1]

@@robertkennedy8420 that's great to hear. Glad you've had so much success from this documentary. I hope the book brings even more. I'll definitely be on the lookout for it

[@markmasten-mdh-5410]

Thanks for using my '74 in your video. 13:18. 365,000 miles, Philco-Ford AM/FM Stereo w/8-track, 4-speed.

[@markmasten-mdh-5410]

@@robertkennedy8420 Thanks, Robert. I ordered her in '73. Fully optioned except for the automatic & anti-theft system. Like your King! take care!

[@modspell]

I was 19 years old in 1976 and fell in love with Farrah and her car. I went to Filmore Ford (RIP) in CA and found me a navy blue Cobra 2 with white stripes, with the blue plaid Ghia seats. I drove in to death, finally trading it in in 1981. I LOVED that thing and would love it again. Great work Kennedy!

[@maikerumine]

Wonderful Docu, full of facts, history, and media. I absolutely loved it!!!

[@mnmotosnowmo]

Just checked this out Robert after attending Mustangs at the Island. Great job!

[@robertkennedy8420]

@@mnmotosnowmo thank you and enjoy reading UNBRIDLED (I’m assuming you purchased a copy)!

[@74bratley]

Great job, great video. There are some errors in it, the II shared very few parts with the Pinto, it wasn't little more then a re skinned pinto, also the largest engine the Mustang was offered was a 260 V8 in '64.5 (was upped to the 289 in '65, along with changing from a generator to alternator). I've loved all 3 of them, and hope to have another sometime soon. Again well done.

[@arghoknot]

I too like smaller cars since my high school drivers ed car was a 1976 Datsun 210. Thanks for the history lesson and the well done presentation of it.

[@chrisikaris5891]

A wonderful film! I was expecting a boring rehash of a forgotten car . Instead, I discovered a well crafted and detailed explanation of not only that car but its place in automotive history. I was only a very small boy when the Ford Mustang II was in production. At the time, in 1976, my mother owned a 1968 Mustang and looking at the Mustang II then it was difficult to understand how they could be connected in any way. Now 50 years later you have explained in plain terms how and why the Mustang II came about. And I had no idea that it saved the subsequent generations of Mustang! Thank you for making this worthy and valuable film. It was clearly a labor of love. P.S. Your personal conclusion of the film made in front of your Mustang II was brilliant! You must be the only one in the world who could credibly compare a Ford vehicle of any kind with a Poreche. Your "street cred" cannot be debated. Many kudos to you. May you live (and drive) long and prosper!

[@markcassle3828]

Omg that was so good. I love Mustang IIs. I had a 70 Grandé. I was at a Ford dealer with a new 71 in the back. I thought “what are they thinking!” I was 14 in the fall of 1970 when the pig came out. Thank you so much for this.

[@lilcbra]

Fantastic job Robert! This should be required viewing for the so-called "experts" at some enthusiast sites. Absolutely loved it!

[@greatfurry1]

Robert - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Well done....as a one-time (mid-70s) owner of a 1974 Ghia (2.8L), I still recall that car fondly, and you may inspire me to get another II for fun purposes. Thanks again....

[@michaelb.42112]

451 subscribers and you made a WORLD CLASS documentary. Wow.... You sure earned mine today. - Mike

[@BDOML9101]

I own a1978 Mach1 and a 1978 Cobra II. I would like to personaly thank u Robert for a true factual vid on our MII's...There are so many vids out there with no research just repeating the hater views from the 70's.Calling our cars Pintostangs etc.. Once again Thank you for putting the truth out there about our cars. This is the best vid I have seen on our MII's...

[@robertkennedy8420]

@@BDOML9101 Thanks for watching, and you’re most welcome! Please feel free to subscribe. I recently authored a new Mustang history book about all seven generations. That book, “UNBRIDLED: The Passion, Performance & Politics Behind America’s Favorite Pony Car” is available exclusively at UnbridledMustangBook.com. If you liked this - you’ll LOVE it! You can also follow @unbridled_author on Instagram and the @unbridledbook page on Facebook if you’re curious.

[@JosueRodriguez-fv3hs]

Absolutely spectacular video. I know a stupid amount of information about the first gen Mustangs, down to factory markings and trivial garbage nobody cares about. Yet now I realized I knew absolutely nothing about Mustang IIs. This video does a huge service to the second gen pony. I always liked them, and now I admire them as well. Very cool documentary.

[@howarddelorme3422]

Thank you Robert for a job well done. Her car has only 28'000 miles on it today. It was displayed with the other prototypes at Dearborn. Would like to keep in touch. ( Doug)

[@spacrazie]

Excellent story and video. I've never owned a Mustang but my family members have. This story of the Mustang II was educational. I do remember an in-law whose sister owned a "74 Mustang II Ghia. It had a nice looking interior.......manual sunroof and all. It was a 4 speed manual transmission and yes, it lacked horsepower, but so did most cars from that era. I also remembering teaching her how to drive a stick shift 🤣....that was whole different story. Overall, it was a very nice car. Thank you for the history lesson on this. A lot of information I was unaware of and now appreciate. Very impressive.

[@robertkennedy8420]

Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe. I recently authored a new Mustang history book about all seven generations. That book, “UNBRIDLED: The Passion, Performance & Politics Behind America’s Favorite Pony Car” is available exclusively at UnbridledMustangBook.com. You can also follow @unbridled_author on Instagram and the @unbridledbook page on Facebook if you’re curious.

[@19553129]

TDANKS FOR THIS VIDEO. I had two of these and Enjoyed every moment driving them.

[@ferdinandkempis1086]

Hi Robert I am from Melbourne and own one of 1974 mustang 11 it enlightened me watching this. I was about getting rid of this but I completely changed my decision.Now I realise I am a lucky for keeping for 22 years now. Good on you Mate!

[@Just_Mark]

Great job on this documentary! Like most of us, I have my own Mustang II stories. My old 74 was a red, notch-back 4 cyl 4 speed. It was a rust-bucket and leaked oil into the starter. I used to keep a spare starter and tools in the trunk to swap if needed. Then I’d take the old one apart, clean it up and put it back in the trunk for the next time. I loved that first car! it met an untimely demise when I was 18 or-so, when I clipped a car stopped at the end of an on-ramp then straight into a concrete barrier. 35 years later, I still think about that car, wondering if my front suspension ended up in some hot rod somewhere. For now I am content cruising around in my ‘08, cranking the ‘80’s rock n’ roll. But I would love to find an MII to rebuild one day. Again, thanks for putting this together and helping me relive a bit of the good old days.

[@jeremyrogers5902]

Robert, you did an amazing job at creating a beautiful documentary that showed honor to the often forgotten Mustang II/Cobra II. In 1993 My dad bought me a coupe Mustang II and I went to a rich high school and I got nothing less than made fun of for driving. Man do I miss it, and now I have stumbled upon a 76Cobra II that I am getting ready to buy for a very good price to repair. I am nothing but happy about running across your documentary. Thanks for inspiring me so much!

[@CarolAndLou]

Thank you very much for this documentary, it's great!

[@mrwp819300]

Great documentary! Thank you so much for making it and posting it. Love your car btw.

[@brianogram7342]

Great job Robert on this video. I enjoyed it. My brother had a 78 with 351C 5sp. quick car. will now watch your next video

[@rogerleopold6181]

Thanks Robert! Great Video/Documentary. I used to drive a 76 model with t-tops, V6 and manual trans. Great Memories.. Thanks again for your video.

[@eltonrobertson2697]

Love the video. I own a 65 and 2020 myself. I appreciate historical informative videos.. Your mustang is a beauty

[@gunfighterzero]

You did a great job on this project, gave me a new respect for the mustang II

[@gunfighterzero]

@@robertkennedy8420 will do, thanks

[@jefferyhughes8304]

thank you for giving this car the the proper credit it deserves

[@n3307v]

Thanks for making this. Of all the cars I've owned over the years, the only one I regret selling was my very first car a 1975 Mustang II Mach I.

[@mcfuller5020]

My first brand new car was a 1976 Mustang 2 with a four banger, the four speed transmission broke after 20,000 mi. I totally enjoyed your video. Well done young man.

[@danielcarroll5667]

Thanks for one of the best Automotive Documentaries I've ever seen ! I have to totally agree that without this Car American performance oriented Cars probably would be non-existent , thanks for the dedication , time & effort you put into this , since it was done during the dark early days of Covid , I would definitely call this "making the best of a bad situation"

[@johnrossi6212]

Wow!!! I would never have guessed you didn’t do documentaries all the time. This was a great video. I’m like you, I love cars like this more then the “normal” classics. Everyone has those.

[@johnrossi6212]

@@robertkennedy8420 can’t wait to see it. I subscribed as soon as I got done with the video. Still have to check the rest of your videos out.

[@paultucker1272]

Not just one of the best Mustang II documentaries. but one of the Mustang Mustang documentaries full stop! Fantastic job and a great history lesson. Thank you :)

[@paultucker1272]

@@robertkennedy8420 that's fantastic! I'll be sure to buy a copy to add to my "Mustang library" :)

[@paultucker1272]

@@robertkennedy8420 done! Looking forward to it :)

[@pioneervalleywoodworks]

Excellent video! I'm a GM guy myself, but I love Mustangs. My first car was a 1977 Mustang II and I would love to have it back. Thanks for making the video, I enjoyed the stroll down memory lane.

[@pioneervalleywoodworks]

Thanks, I will check that out.

[@whitsundaydreaming]

This was a huge budget doc about my most beloved car. I bought my new Cobra II in July of 1976. I was soon identified as that Farrah fan guy. I miss it so much.

[@whitsundaydreaming]

@@robertkennedy8420 I’ll look right now. I’ve had two new mustangs since, the last bought new in 1999. After 18 years I drove it into the ground. I’m hoping to find another one from the same year.

[@jestocost8210]

Thanks, great documentary. I was never a fan of the II but I now appreciate it more.

[@georgeroehl5885]

Oh, the memories. Remember Dad buying a '74 a Pinto, gas rationing. And the memories? My '75 Mustang ll notch back. (It was in 1985-86). I used to say it was like riding a bicycle, pedalling that fast. That little 4 banger would chirp the tires in all 4 gears. Added some half leaf "add a spring" and some lower profile tires on the front and "Oh,Boy!" She was fun. To work on, as well as drive. Memories... The car's biggest drawback was the thin firewall. It couldn't handle the stress of the cable clutch, flexing and splitting at the bolt holes.

[@karenm6914]

The best documentary at this moment, congratulations for that was a pleasure see, second part please!! :)

[@karenm6914]

@@robertkennedy8420 great!!!! Thanks for that :)

[@cindymilkey9992]

Thanks for the great documentary. Not too many videos or books about these special cars. Lots of memories for me personally in the Mustang II as a powder blue, 1974 coupe was my first car as an 18-year old. It had the manual 4-speed, and when I bought it used in 1976, I didn't even know how to drive it! A friend had to drive it home for me from the dealership. Two weeks later, I was tooling around in it like second nature. I had the car for about five years - traded it in on a 1980 Datsun 310. Wish I still had it - my Mustang, I mean!

[@ldlm91]

What a phenomenal video! As a European citizen, I have literally newer until now even heard of this car!

[@jjhendo]

Fantastic video. Was just at a show and was glad to see a few IIs.

[@robertkennedy8420]

Thanks for watching. Please feel free to subscribe. I recently authored a new Mustang history book about all seven generations. That book, “UNBRIDLED: The Passion, Performance & Politics Behind America’s Favorite Pony Car” is available exclusively at UnbridledMustangBook.com. You can also follow @unbridled_author on Instagram and the @unbridledbook page on Facebook if you’re curious.

[@louism8217]

Always loved these little Stangs...had a 78 4 cyl 4 spd coupe, and what a blast to drive. The handling was killer, even on its 13 inch cheapo Kelly Charger tires.

[@MyzelleJenkins]

Thanks for the extra info and walk around. I've always wanted a T Top King, and seeing yours gives me more motivation to get one! Excellent documentary - well done!

[@kevinsellsit5584]

This is possibly the best Mustang II documentary on KZbin. Thank You. That being said I would like to have seen a minute or two dedicated to the other Ford option of the era. During this time, Mercury offered a non-mustang platform imported from Cologne Germany Called the Capri. Despite being a product of Ford of Europe, it was sold exclusively at Lincoln Mercury dealers and therefore a Mercury Capri II. While never offered with a V8 (except in Australia), the V6 version could be modified to run low 13's and blow the doors of any Mustang GT or IROC Camero through the mid 80's. The only domestic car that had a chance was a Buick Grand National which could easily be made MUCH faster.

[@GA08GT478]

Great documentary! I’m a Mustang owner, and I’d love to own a CobraII one day.

[@GA08GT478]

I actually just bought raffle tickets this week for a 1976, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

[@joek1960]

They are out there. Last november I rescued a 1976 Cobra II from a barn that had been there for 20 years.

[@brianducharme3418]

Thank you very much. I have a new appreciation as I now realize how the Mustang II bridged the gap and paved the path to keep Muscle Cars alive. This was a great documentary- well done!

[@TomTRobot]

Kudos. One of the top best automotive documentaries KZbin.

[@bobspatafore1696]

Excellent job Robert. This is among the best auto motive documentaries I have ever watched and I have watched quite a few

[@barryrussell4106]

I will watch this again. This was well done. I have a 1968 fastback 390 4 speed that is my dream car all my life. I have owned countless mustangs, camaros, darts, dusters and demons. I have owned 1 little mustang 2 and it was a wonderful car sadly it had a grass fire catch it and it burned to the ground. I have always liked them. I saw a orange and white stripe cobra 2 when it was brand new. In 1976 or 77. My uncles friend had just bought it and I was at his house and got to go for a ride In it. I remember it fondly. If I happened across an orange and white one with the t tops and 302 I bet I would buy it.

[@vernonfindlay1314]

Here I am again watching your history documentary, great cars,have a happy Thursday. 👍🇨🇦

[@vernonfindlay1314]

@@robertkennedy8420 I have not but I did just tap on the link, will save video and watch bit later.Thanks.

[@toddthewodd]

I thought it was a at LEAST a mid budget documentary. Well done, thanks for all the effort.

[@sdmercuryman]

So humble Robert. I truly appreciate your knowledge and enthusiasm towards the Mustang II. I was 11 in 1974 and remember the debut clearly. Never understood the dislikes. Keep up the good work. Still want to see the convertible when the top is in working order. Have a Great day Robert.

[@suegoodrich6734]

Fantastic documentary! Kudos to Robert for making good use of COVID 19 lockdown time!