Ford Mustang II It's History, Models, Features & The Angels

[@johnmick9457]

I actually had someone give me an unwanted Ghia V6. I towed it home replaced the water pump fixed the Radiator and drove it 4 years till the motor died, and got $900 dollars for it at the wrecking yard. I enjoyed it and it wasn't a bad little car.

[@ScottLoke]

Idc what they say, that's a gen 5 stang(5th major body style) and that thing is far better than the first few years of that fox body pos

[@mkshffr4936]

I love the II. It was very much in the spirit of the original with nimble sporty handling.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching!!

[@rubengariby6539]

I agree. People forgot why the original was so popular after it was pushed into the muscle car category but originally it was a sporty, stylish, personal, economy car.

[@mylanmiller9656]

Yes and the Mustang II was the first Mustang with a Rack and pinion Steering, i owned a 1966 a 1968 and a 1970 before i bought My 1977 Cobra II, Because of the Rack the 1977 was a bunch nicer to drive than the Crude contraption for power steering on the older Ford cars. As For Performance I didn't leave my other Cars stock, So changing My 1977 into a performer was no big deal. The only thing I didn't like about the Mustang II, the Engine Compartment is tight making it a Chore to work on.

[@althunder4269]

Agreed!

[@kellykloss4653]

@@mylanmiller9656 Exactly. I had a ‘76 Cobra Mustang with the 302. I had to remove the battery and battery box in order to change two of the spark plugs. The rack and pinion was definitely superior to the garbage that came before.

[@stevec5657]

Following test driving a 302, 4 speed Cobra ll - I bought it. After swapping in a bigger camshaft, 4 barrel aluminum intake and adding dual exhaust, the motor woke up. Then came larger sway bars and performance shocks, plus sticky tires. That car was a total blast to drive on windy mountain roads!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

It sounds like you added exactly what the car needed.

[@FinancialFreedom-sq8sr]

Did you ever have it dynoed, or have an estimation of the resulted hp?

[@whoeverwhatever9279]

175hp at the flywheel maybe 180. Due to low compression and crappy heads. Heads cam intake and more compression can make 400hp.

[@rogerhinman5427]

My Dad had a green Mustang II Ghia. He liked it well enough and it was a dependable ride.

[@buddylove346]

I had a 74 Mustang II back in high school, it was pretty cool.

[@marcopolo-xj4yw]

My first car was a 1978 Mustang Mach I V8 in orange. Everyone asked if it was a Pinto! I loved it.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

As long as you loved it that's all that mattered. Thanks for watching!

[@oldskolacura9798]

Double nice. I got mine at 15 but it had the 2.3😢

[@marcopolo-xj4yw]

@@oldskolacura9798 Cool. I later painted mine black. I loved the stock white honeycomb rims.

[@ThomasSmith-hh8fp]

the ones who called it a " pinto, obviously never owned,nor driven either one. I owned a bunch of both- they arent the same. i love them both.

[@BDOML9101]

There is no such thing as a Mach II...So u owned one of a kind if u had one...

[@JohnArnis]

My parents bought me a brand new black and gold Mustang ll Cobra ll in 1977 as a high school graduation gift. My dad loved that car as much as or even more than I did! We looked at Camaros and Trans Ams also but they were more expensive and I liked the smaller size and looks of the Cobra ll. It still looked like a Mustang to me. I drove out of the Ford dealer with it equipped with the 302 CID, Windsor V-8, 2 barrel carb and 139 whopping HP! But the V8 generated so much low end torque with an open rear end differential, that the tiny 13” right rear tire would light up with even a small tap of the throttle! Wound up only adding two minor mods, an open element chrome air cleaner and a true dual exhaust with Cherry Bomb glass packs exiting with slanted cut chrome tips in front of the rear wheel wells! It may not have been blistering in performance but I had so much fun and many fond memories with it over the seven years I owned it!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Great story. Thanks for sharing!

[@mkshffr4936]

@@JohnArnis That's what they were about, fun.

[@genesutton6383]

I bought one at 17 but it was a Ford Cobra 2 there was no mention of mustang on the title or the car. 1976 car that I picked up in 82. Cast iron block 302 one will turn until we upgraded the rear end put a 4-barrel on it. White and blue Farrah fawcett car. I think the body's still sitting in wimberley I sold the engine out of it somebody was trying to race it they put it in the smaller V6 mustang and wrapped it around a tree in San Antonio, he didn't make it .

[@wesdoobner7521]

When I was 16 my first car was a 1977 Mustang Mach I, yellow with black interior and t-tops. My dad got a good offer for it and I got a 1979 Trans Am after that. Guess which one I liked best?

[@johndonlan5956]

On a business trip in 1978 I had to rent a car to get around that day...... And I was given a Mustang II by the car rental agency. To this day..... I can testify that this was the most comfortable car I have ever driven. It seemed like me and the car "were one", and I truly lamented having to turn it back in at the end of the day!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Jody-kt9ev]

I have a Mustang II coupe that I bought brand new 47 years ago. It has been restored to good condition. I live in Texas. This has both advantages and disadvantages for the Mustang II. After 47 years, there is no rust on the car-advantage. It has the 5.0 liter V8 with the 3 speed automatic. Ford did not do a good job of cooling the V8 for the Texas climate, so overheating has been an issue. I have improved the radiator to help. With, the 3 speed automatic and V8, the best gas mileage I have ever gotten is 19 mpg. As to the base 2.3 engine, I had a 1982 Ford Ranger with the 2.3 Liter engine. The truck went almost 300,000 miles, so the 2.3 was solid in my experience.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your story! That is an impressive history as parts for those cars are getting harder to find everyday. As an SVO owner I can say the 2.3 is an impressive little engine.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

I bet there are least a few first generation Mustang collectors that wouldn't mind having a Mustang II in their collection..

[@rodmoore1577]

Not me.

[@ThomasSmith-hh8fp]

theres a lot of us..except Him^^^

[@Wooley689]

I think we were more in loss of horsepower shock because we were used to Mustangs getting more and more powerful and then wham, we have the Mustang 2. The dislike was more like horsepower withdrawal. The car was a huge success and for the time really not a bad looking little ride. You packed a ton in this short video, thanks for the look back.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@mylanmiller9656]

The wham Came in 1972. I remember taking a 1972 351 Mustang for a test drive after driving My 1971 Boss 351. the car was imbursing it wouldn't move out of its own tracks. Performance got worse every year until 1982.

[@regwirth3004]

I'm currently on my 9th Mustang, among those owned were two "78 stangs. One was a Gina coupe and the other a Mach 1 fastback (still have this one) both were V8 powered. I really enjoyed the cars they were a load of fun.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

All a car need due is make the owner happy! I really enjoy seeing a Mustang II on the road today as there are so few left. The owners are a special breed as it's harder to maintain one of these cars today. Thanks for sharing!

[@phantom0456]

The Gina coupes are the best ones to ride!

[@19553129]

I Loved my Mustang II .I had 2 of them . Great well Built cars . 😊❤️

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing!

[@barryhickman6911]

I bought a new 1975 Mustang II Mach I 2+2 and LOVED IT! V6, 4 speed, never gave me a second of trouble and handled like a dream! I'd buy one today if I could find a decent one!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching and they out there but finding a decent one can be difficult. Best of luck!

[@oldskolacura9798]

My father bought the 77 hatchback sparkle green with white interior in 78 and eventually gave me that car when i turned 15

[@thenoliftshift855]

I learned to drive in a 78 mustang 2+2 4 speed , Got me hooked on mustangs ever since! For me at the time it was a awesome car.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I think that would apply to a lot of people! Thanks for watching!

[@ADF-fe7fv]

My '76 notchback and '77 hatchback were just 2 of the best cars I've ever owned.

[@dougpendleton1266]

Excellent video! I helped my sister buy a new 1976 coupe with the V-6 4 speed. I remember being impressed with the relatively tight R&P steering, and that Cologne V6 was a wonderful engine. She had that car for many years and it gave her excellent service. I of course had to buy a V8 Mach 1 automatic, what a turd...

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing Doug!

[@lehighstar474]

Hello,,my first car in 1986 i had a 1977 Cobra II...white with the red stripes,,,it had a 302 motor and i had some work done and i put a Holley 4 barrel card with Cyclone Headers and true dual exhaust coming out the sides on an angle in front of the rear tires,,,all i can say is that i loved it and if was FAST AS HELL...one of the fastest cars on the street in the Lehigh Valley Allentown Pa area....i smoked them all in a quarter mile....lots of power along with a light body....i loved that car and then got a 1969 Chevy Camaro .......but the 1977 Mustang Cobra II IS A GREAT CAR....when you do some work to it.....i loved that car .......great video

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing your story and for watching my video. It is appreciated!

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I test drove a Mustang II in 1974. Boy was Ford's timing perfect downsizing the Mustang right before the Arab oil embargo. Dealers were adding A huge markup to them. Small car prices were so crazy that a Volkswagen Super Beetle sold for more than a Chrysler New Yorker. I ended up buying a used Pinto. It really was a tough reliable car. I'm still in love with the Mustang II Mach One with the 5.0 engine from the movie Starman.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MrGreyZ]

No they do not deserve the hate - they were a return to the roots of the car, and it saved the model. - right car - right time. A better compression ratio and a cam would have helped the 2.3L immensely.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I agree with you.

[@chrish2666]

I had a '78 Mustang II in 1980 or '81. White with a beige interior. From what I remember it wasn't a bad car, used it to travel daily for work from the west suburbs of Chicago to downtown.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing. Most of Mustang II were used as basic transportation. Few people set them aside as a potential collect car. That's why there aren't many around today.

[@gilbertmills4885]

You're doing great! Keep it up! I really enjoy your detailed look in your videos. I'm a fellow Car Geek and I know or knew at one time this information. You refresh my memory with your content.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I appreciate that! Thank you for the kind words.

[@floydmarseeii4007]

I actually like the Mustang II’s, My dad special ordered a Black and orange 78 King Cobra Ttop 4spd. I wish we had kept it. I’ve owned 3 Mustang II’s myself. A 74 2.3 auto Coupe, a 76 V6 automatic Mach 1, and a 77 V8 Cobra II automatic, white with red stripes and red interior. I stopped by a friend’s house earlier today, to discover that he has purchased a 1976 Cobra II white with blue stripes, and blue interior, v8, automatic. Thanks for a great video, and information. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😎

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad there are people out there that care about these cars!

[@EffequalsMA]

I'll add that the powertrains from the II were carryover into the Fox, barring the switch to serpentine drive belt on the 302 but, the main advantage was the Fox was overall lighter than the II.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@ClickbaitMotorsports]

Awesome video! 👏 While people are drooling over the GTD, we got a trip down memory lane. Love these Mustang history eps. 👍

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@ClickbaitMotorsports I think everyone and their brother has a GTD video out there right? Plus the GTD is a car most of will never see let alone own. Thanks for watching!

[@mylanmiller9656]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs I don't agree about the fox Mustang being less weight, than the Mustang II. I owned both a 1977 and a 1983 GT both cars with 302 4 speed, On the Scales with me in the car both cars with me in the cars, had a weight of 3200 pounds full of gas.

[@ddanter30]

Tony, Thanks for this video. I currently have a red and black 75 Mach 1 with the V8, that I'm trying to restore. I've had mine for 35 years,

[@ddanter30]

It has been a fun car to have

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching! The Mustang II is not an easy car to restore. Parts are expensive and hard to come by. I admire you for taking the road less traveled. Best of luck!

[@bryangunter4324]

I had a 74 model, 4 cylinder with auto, I loved that car! It was a great cat!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Very cool!

[@barriobajaj]

I read a lot of hot rod and lowrider magazines in the '80's and '90's and many of the build specs mentioned that they had Mustang II based rack and pinion front suspensions that are still used to this day with many aftermarket companies carrying the torch with much improved components based on the Mustang II's. My coworker had '76 Ghia. Black with tan vinyl top and interior. She ever splurged on a sunroof. She loved that car.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I have seen plenty of hot rod with those steering racks. Mostly because they could pull them out of salvage yards at a decent price. The disc brakes front brakes as well. Now a days it's tough to find a lot of the parts for those cars. I alway tip my hat to person that takes the time to restore on of these because of that. I know it's neither cheap nor easy and they have to really love the car. Thanks for watching!

[@Slowgroovin]

I like the Mustang II, particularly the Cobra II models. A family member had a black 78 King Cobra.

[@nathanhardin8530]

Excellent production

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Much appreciated! Thanks again!

[@nathanhardin8530]

@TonysFordsandMustangs My father owned a Mustang II that he bought new for $3400, and I remember him telling me his coworker thought he was crazy to pay that much for a car.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@nathanhardin8530 It doesn't seem so crazy today. :)

[@Mountain_Valley_Sky]

Great video Tony 👍

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks 👍

[@hkguitar1984]

Another highly polished episode, Tseriously, great Editing, it really shows. Thank You for this content.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you very much!

[@hkguitar1984]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs 👍😉 I was born in 1962, I remember the '70s Mustangs and (regretfully) the Mustang IIs. In 1985 I purchased an '82 Mustang GT, gosh, lots of great memories from back then. Your videos take me back.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@hkguitar1984 I was born in 65 so we share a lot of the same car memories. It's nice to look back every once in a while. :)

[@hkguitar1984]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs 100% Agree ❤ Ahh the good-ol days. I once raced my '82 GT against my Supervisor in his stock '79 Corvette. We did a rolling start at 55 mph, I down-shifted my Mustang into 2nd while side stepping the clutch at 5500 rpm. I got the jump on the Vette and held that all the way to 100 mph. What a total blast the '80s was!

[@TheSpritz0]

TONY- What you said was VERY true, the new emissions standards and ad-hoc engineering response from Detroit REALLY hampered any "performance" cars, and it is seriously lucky some auto manufacturers continued to offer such cars until the technology could adapt!! Guys our age can clearly remember the Volare "Road Runner", etc...!!!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

In those day all they could do is add decals and call a car sporty. Detroit didn't turn the corner until the Catalytic Convertor came along. That device allowed for higher compression engines to still have lower emissions and meet regulations. Many people see the cat as a hindrance to performance but it actually allowed engine to become powerful again.

[@luisrazi]

Manufacturers didn’t kept offering performance cars. They screwed up performance, quality, safety and design. They used the emission restrictions as an excuse to screw consumers. That prepared the path to the eventual Japanese dominance afterwards. And well earned.

[@benjaminkilmer]

Blue on white cobra. My first car when I started working. New 76 model. I loved that car more then any other I have ever had

[@OathTaker3]

I had a 78 Ghia model with the V8 & BBS style wheels, exactly as pictured at 13:07.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That's awesome thanks for sharing!

[@nottelling620]

Hi TONY , I enjoy your videos and the way you present them .. No reflection on you HOWEVER when I used to see these cars , they reminded me of the CHARLIES ANGELS ... I have owned 2 1967 mustang coupes , a 1969 mustang fastback AND my present 1969 mustang MACH 1... Thus my personal tastes are not critical of others , they are mine. Please keep up your videos. TY

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for the kind words, and I agree completely with your attitude towards these cars. BTW I am positive Charlies Angles really helped Ford sales numbers for a couple of years. :)

[@68orangecrate26]

Great presentation of a great little car. My first car was a silver and black 1974 Mustang II Mach I (2.8L V6, Auto). Loved it…

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@vinnybobby4015]

I always liked them mustangs.

[@hockeynut71]

I’ve owned more than my share of II’s, foxbodies, and SN95 cars. These cars were indeed very slow from the factory, but how many people modify their cars? A simple 4 barrel carb/intake swap, headers and dual exhaust netted you 190 HP, 50 more than when it left the factory. I take my Monroe Handler, and king cobra to shows and get a lot of positive feedback.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I'm glad to hear you get positive feedback! When I go to a show I'll spend more time looking at nice Mustang II then I will any other Mustang because I rarely see them. The owners deserves some credit because preserving them isn't easy. Parts are difficult to find and can be expensive. As to the lack of power, you need only get it to where you are happy as an owner. I drove a 77 Maverick 250 6 cylinder for the last year and across the country. It had no upgrades but always started and that was all it needed to do for me.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Cobra and king cobra looked cool. Farrah Faucet sported one and that was cool.

[@ebayerr]

Wheelbase for '65 mustang 108"- Height 51"- width 61"- Front Track 55" Wheelbase for Mustang II 96"- Height 50"- width 70" -- Front Track 55" !965 Mustang had 170 ci straight 6 or 289ci V8 1976 had a 170 ci V6 or a 302 ci V8 The Mustang II was as close to the original Mustang as you could get. And imo the body was like an updated version for the 70's

[@Polemic-2525]

I had an aqua metallic 78 Mach 1 with the 302 V8 it was quick in its day it beat a 429 71 LTD coupe.

[@trainglen22]

I liked the Mustang II, especially the Mach I version.

[@bertram46]

Let me begin by saying.What a great video extremely thorough. I was thirteen years old. I was the man of the house. We had a 1967 VW convertible with a bad frame. At 13 i did the car shopping. I had a budget my mother put on me of $3500 otd. Vega,no. Pinto/maverik no. VW RABBIT no. Fiat 128 no. Then came the Mustang II . My salesman was Bob Philaphant. Bob Smith Ford. Pittsburgh PA. How i can remember is beyond me 50 years later. He took me seriously. We negotiated. I verbally made the deal. Brought my mother down and we drove off. I was so proud. Dark yellow green was the color. Tan interior. 4 speed no A/c p steering. Whitewalls and The thick body side moulding. Am radio which i believe was standard. We had it a little over a year, it began to rust bottom of front fenders, lower door seams. Looked great. Didn't look basic. However it was junk. There is nothing desirable or collectible about any of these mustangs. It did not do anything well

[@GA08GT478]

I’m a fan of the Cobra II. The Mustang II was a car that had to adapt to the times.

[@johnchurch4705]

I remember in the 80s, a guy I worked with had a Mustang Ghia coupe with the V6 as a daily driver in the U.K. He had loads of American cars as daily drivers, last time I saw him at a swap meet he had a 4dr Corvair.

[@toddschultzandkaysar3530]

I loved the cobra IIs ..in 1976 a friend of mine had a white with blue stripes and another friend had a black with gold stripes.. and it wasn't Farrah and Jackie haha ..i had a 1972 white fast back.. good video..thank you

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

It is a great looking car! Thanks for watching and for the kind words.

[@BakerStudiosIndy]

I had a 1977 Cobra II I picked up used in 1979. It caught my eye because it was owned by a Ford employee, and was rare... Vista orange with the Cobra appearance package, 302 V/8, 4-speed, and factory T-tops. It was a fun daily driver, but begged for upgrades. It started with some serious engine mods which effectively double the stock horsepower, suspension tweaks including custom anti-sway bars, upgraded 15" wheels and tires, and of course tying the subframes together for rigidity. The hatchback already had slightly better weight distribution, and relocating the battery to the trunk made some difference. All in all, it was a great little pocket rocket to play around with. Last I saw the car was about 20 years ago, where the new owner had swapped in a five-speed Tremec, posi rear axle. and converted to disc brakes on all four corners. I wish I had kept it, but by 1988, marriage and kids altered my priorities.

[@DSP1968]

These were great little cars for the time. My aunt bought a new V-8 Ghia in 1977 that was quite the performer for the day -- it would easily burn rubber. It was aqua metallic with a white top/interior, a really nice looking and well-made little car.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your story!

[@henryschilling1120]

I had a 75 V8 and then traded it for a 76 Cobra for the 4spd. I liked them.

[@GregALang]

I had a '78 Ghia with the V6. It was a good car. It was my back-and-forth to college car and it lasted until I was hit head on by a 90-year-old in a early 70s Lincoln. I survived the crash with minor injuries but the Mustang was not so lucky. The fox body Mustang's that followed I never liked. They are still the only Mustangs in all 60 years I don't care for.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your experience with your car. It is appreciated!

[@eddiebowens1919]

I had a white and red 77 Cobra 302, Not a lot of power but a fun car. It drove well and would burn one tire off! I tore the trans out of it and then sold it to my brother, He put a trans in it and drove it for a few years.

[@Freedom_Back58]

The mustang ll was a part of my childhood. I was and always will be Camaro fan but the mustang ll and the Shelby is my favorite car s

[@traxiii]

Like you said, the times the Mustang II occupied kind of sucked for all cars. They had no idea how to make power or mileage with the new smog controls, short of down sizing engines. The 302 of that period was pathetic. The Arab oil embargo made gas double in price as well as shortages at times, making the smog controls even more taxing. I just wish they had left the pony logo alone and not added the "II" to the name, I think it would have a little less stigma attached, as the hatchback I think is a pretty good looking car. (except for the massive and ugly decals on most) I like the "II's" fastback look much better than most of the Fox Bodies, the exception being the bubble hatch Capri and McLaren models. I have actually been looking for a '75 or older (CA and their smog laws) hatchback to do a retro-mod with. I think a 2.3 Ecoboost transplant, and complete interior update, brake and suspension upgrade would make for a pretty cool little car. With what, a thousand pounds less weight compared to the S550 it should haul @sss!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

A Mustang II with a Ecoboost should really haul. The handling might be troublesome. Keep me updated and thanks for watching!

[@rickwalsh91]

My bride and I ordered a brand new 1975 Mustang II MPG, 4 cylinder, 4 speed, no power options or AC I loved that powerful little car, and am still driving Mustangs today!!! 15:29 👍😎

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Very nice!

[@WBenzSEL]

I live in Australia and would buy one at the right price. Quirky car for sure.

[@coledawson7398]

I had 78 Gia with a 302. I liked it very much! It was the first car I bought brand new.

[@alphakky]

Driver training in high school, 1974 was a Mustang II with a manual transmission. Yup, leaned to shift in a Mustang II. No second steering wheel, only a brake pedal for the teacher. He had to tell me no left foot braking. I was already in racer mode. 😅

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That sounds like a pretty awesome driving instructor. Thanks for sharing

[@OldIron1961]

I had a 1975 Mach 1 with the 4 cylinder and 4 speed. Was working in an exhaust shop at the time and built a custom dual outlet header with full dual exhaust with four glass pack mufflers. Friends said it sounded like a Cessna taking off. (Started with just two glass packs, but couldn't stand to drive it with all the noise.) It was a sharp looking car with the red/black exterior and white seats inside. Sold it after about a year so that I could buy a 1979 Mustang Cobra with the turbo 4 and 4 speed. Still have that car but it hasn't been driven in about 30 years.

[@dressshoeguy]

Had a 1977 Ford Mustang II Ghia back in 1987 as my first car and it was really a POJ everything was wrong on it but the fact Jaclyn Smith drove one like mine in Charlie’s Angels made for redemption looking back. I would like to point out that only Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd were in the Mustang II’s Farrah and Cheryl driving the Cobra II while Jaclyn drove the Ghia II and had it blown up by the hoods twice. Kate Jackson had the Orange Pinto in actually two model years one a 77 with a tan interior with plaid inserts then another with a matching orange plaid interior to be passed down to Shelly Hack ( for a classy Angel she really was fitting in a Ford T-Bird) then Tanya Roberts who was only seen in it twice. Funny thing years later i built model car replicas of these rides starting with the Ghia II and that one took three different Mustang model kits to create a true labor of love and showed them off to one of the stars from the TV show in 2007 during a strength in knowing conference in Washington DC it was Jaclyn Smith what a night to remember. Yeah i am a fan.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching! One can tell you know your Angels. :)

[@dressshoeguy]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs Never missed an episode first three seasons and then when they came out on DVD one by one they were must haves. Then came the iTunes versions I bought when I had an iPod long ago. BTW Farrah was the favorite but loved them all.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@dressshoeguy I always liked Jaclyn Smith but I was a 11 year boy when it first aired. Nice looking ladies on TV were going to get my attention. :)

[@dressshoeguy]

@@TonysFordsandMustangs Yep Jaclyn always was a true beauty and looked good in that Mustang II Ghia and still looks good today.

[@MarkR-ut8jw]

I had a 76 Cobra II way back then... One of my favorite cars. It was my College Car so I didn't need a performance car at that time. It drove great and was fun to drive.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@joemanzanares8194]

I always liked the Mustang II as well. I would take one today and of course mod the hell out of it while retaining the stock look. yeah I would.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

They are good looking car that was shackled with regulations that Ford didn't quite yet know how to overcome and still provide good performance.

[@ManuaLiberty]

Despite the majority of hate towards the mustangs II, I like the hatchbacks. Particularly one that motortrend did a article on with Brett behrens 1978 model. Although it’s highly modified, it’s a very well built car

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I like the styling of hatchbacks as well. Thanks for watching brother!

[@csxjim]

Very cool video Tony. Thanks for making it

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Glad you enjoyed it & thank you for watching!

[@frankdemith3849]

I had a 77 Mustang II Ghia in black with gold pinstriping. It had a 302 engine and was probably one of my favorite cars I have ever owned. I have looked for one for decades and can never find one for sale. It had a pull down light on the headliner instead of a dome light. The car I wish I had never sold.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

@@frankdemith3849 Thanks for sharing!

[@SpaceNazi62]

My second car was a 78 mustang Gia.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

The imported Capri over at Lincoln-Mercury was among the Mustang II's competition.

[@craigcowan2971]

I had a red ‘76 Mustang II hatchback V-6 with four speed manual transmission. By the time I got it, it had a “racing” steering shell that was about 9 inches in diameter. My dad said it was designed so I could drive with handcuffs on. 😂

[@SuperMickey57]

I had a white with blue stripes Cobra II in high school 1983-84. I loved that car, it was a blast to drive, and making HP from a SBF isn't hard to do. I remember saving up and buying Cragar SS wheels!

[@dukecraig2402]

I always liked those cars and have never understood the venom that people have spit at them from day one, it's not like it was ever hard to either get a SBF from a junkyard that was already pumped up and was in a wrecked car or just pump one up yourself, American V8's weren't complicated engine's like something from Porsche or Ferrari, you didn't have to pay some guy from Europe to fly over to do something to it, high school kids had already been pumping up V8's for years at that point, they're simple engine's that responded well to modifications. And that Mustang II chassis had improvements over the earlier one's, couple that with a decent engine and those cars were FUN!!! I always thought the Cobra II's looked hot, and Ford giving one to Farrah Fawcett while she was on Charlie's Angel's was marketing genius, yea, talk about how to get every school boy in America to have the hots for a car there it is right there. I'd still like to have one of those Cobra II's, they were sharp looking cars with the graphics and the louvers in the windows, they still look good even today.

[@TomGunnTools]

Another great video, appreciate the work you put into these videos.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I appreciate you watching!

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The white one with the blue stripes that Farrah drove, makes an incredibly badass Pro Street car.

[@clintonlamar1503]

2.3 liter in my opinion one of the most underrated reliable engines made in a 4 cylinder configuration

[@lyndahammel9502]

I loved my Mustang II Ghia.

[@chrisbrass8930]

I vaguely remember when this came out (I was maybe 5 at the time) our local shopping mall had one on display inside the building. My dad was fascinated by it, he had recently purchased a Mercury comet (Mercury version of the maverick) and the two of us was scoping it out, he was letting me crawl around in the back seat while he sat in the driver's seat. He always claimed that he thought it was a great mustang, showing that Ford was returning to its mustang roots, by making it a small "sporty" car it was supposed to be.

[@jimlubinski4731]

Had a 75 Mustang II coupe with all the Ghia options, but not labeled a Ghia. I loved the way it looked and the interior was very luxurious for the time. Ford never should have used the Pinto 4-cyl in these, though. They were far heavier than the Pinto, and with the automatic (like mine), it was very slow. Mileage was not great, either, although in my case, I had traded in a well work 68 Cougar. Since I always drove the Mustang II floored, it got worse mileage than the Cougar with the V-8. Of course the 68 Cougar wasn't a victim of the pollution control stifling the power. If my car had been the V-8, I would have kept it much longer. My mother had the Mach 1, and that was certainly better. The Mustang II with the V-8 was actually faster than the 73 Mustang with the same engine, undoubtedly because of the weight difference.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks again Jim. From 73 on between the lower compression and emissions the 68 Cougar could have left them all in the dust.

[@mikeoniones667]

Michael had a brown one with golden interior with red pinstriping I loved it

[@darylthomas4676]

Wasn't a big fan of these models but they kept the Mustang name alive and moving. My first Mustang was a 71 Mach with the 351boss motor and even though i don't have it today i would have never got rid of it for one of these. Just too small and under powered for me but gotta be honest Tony, those Cobras sure have grown on me.👍Great info Tony!

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching!

[@savedin87ify]

I loved the Mustang II I had a neighbor who had several. He collected cars. Also had a buddy who had a Mac 1

[@BlackBart479]

My 1st ride was a red on red 19 76 mpg 4spd with pie pan wheel covers in 1985. Loved it. Really urks me how ppl treat em though. They are coming around nowadays look at the prices. Yep they wer on Pinto platform but not much interchanged i owned Pinto's also back then. But it was bout same as 1st gen was a falcon & foxes wer a Fairmont. Lots of difference when u try to part one to another. IMO the II had the best instrument cluster dash layout of all mustangs. BTW... recently subscribed to your channel i see and learn a few new things every video.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for sharing your experience and welcome to the channel. It is appreciated.

[@georgehenderson7783]

If Ford has stuck to the original plan of basing the Mustang II on the Maverick instead of the Pinto it would have been a huge success.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I can't disagree however sales wise it did very well the first few years. We have to look at the Mustang II as a bridge the gap car. None of the manufacturers really understood how to get better gas mileage and lower emissions. The turning point for this was the catalytic convertor. I know that sounds silly as most performance people see a cat as a killer of efficiency but it allowed for the return of higher compression engines that still emitted lower emissions and that started us back down the road to performance cars. Thanks for watching!

[@ThomasSmith-hh8fp]

it was a Huge success. Besides- they already based a mustang , on the Falcon. Maverick was the replacement for the Falcon.

[@jimmycline4778]

My friend had one of these in 1986, it was a coupe but came with a V8 “ not a Cobra”,, it only had 20k miles on it, the #1 thing I remember about it is how slow it was, it had no kick down or acceleration to it! 1986 Z28s and GT Fox body Mustangs would blow it away! He was so disappointed in it after he bought it thinking small car V8 it would be quick!

[@douglaszeeff8052]

I have a 1977 Ghia V6. It is a great car and gets fairly good gas milage. It is one of my favorite cars to drive.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Very nice! Thank u for sharing!

[@brettperkins4643]

My second car was a 1977 Cobra 2, dark green over white. Loved that car. Gutless till i build that 302

[@madmod]

The Mustang my grandpa still has a mach 1 v6 mustang 2 out in his yard. I really want to snag it fromhim someday

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Maybe if you asked nicely? Thanks for watching!

[@larrydelong9771]

I own a 78 Mustang ii hatchback that I have had since 1980. Modified from new back in the day. Louvers, spoilers, mags and big tires and some engine modifications. Drove it until about 1991, then parked it. After I retired I tore it completely apart and refurbished everything mechanical including replacing the original four cylinder with a V6 and drivetrain from a donor car.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

It's great that you have taken the time and effort to keep a part of history alive. Thank you for doing that and for watching.

[@uprebel5150]

My grandmother loved hers.

[@quidable3626]

I had a 1978 green light mustang cobra ii , the one i had had. 302 ci V8. I bought it brand new off tge showroom floor, qbs at rgw time it was turning 12.4 sec in 1/4 mi. It had positive traction rear drive. And it was out running the smokey tran ams, and the78 z28's

[@jd4810]

Mustang II, I had one in 1986 😔. Due to my Hyundai Excel dying unexpectedly I had to get a car fast for low cost. I was third owner of this faded orange exterior & bright orange interior automatic Mustang II.

[@LegacyUser]

Considering what was available at the time, they were great. Knew a guy who would drop hot rod V-8's into bodies with dead engines, they were fast. If I had some money to burn, I would play around and try stuffing a 2.3 EcoBoost with a six speed in one. ;)

[@GSXSF1k]

My older brother (FREE LOADER) wanted this car but good thing he didn't get it! But, this car is really cool.

[@philking6444]

I turned 18 in March of '76 and that was one of my wish list cars . Unfortunately I didn't get 1 I still see a couple running around. Haven't seen 1 for sale in awhile. Still on my wish list, hopefully I'll get lucky (V8 with a 4 speed,.)

[@michaelmappin4425]

The first car I ever bought on my own was a 74 Mustang II. Solving the no V8 option, it had the V6 swapped out to a 300 hp 302. With a loppy cam, Holley double pumper, and headers, it could run high 12s and destroyed unsuspecting 396/375 Chevelles. That's what happens with that kind of horsepower in a 2800 lb car. I've owned a Fox GT as well as the Trinity 5.7 GT500. The little 74 Mach 1 is still one of my favorites.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@kylevantassel7259]

Man youre right on time with this one !!! So I just got one of these recently in a car deal with some older mustangs . This sparked some fun having with some younger friends of mine as you can imagine . Altho this one I have now is a 4 Speed Cobra and has had a ton of cash dumped into it . THe boys still call it the Pinto... LOL . . . So this prompted me to type into our group chat what I will now type here. These boys are into the fox platform. Its funny that you boys are down on the 2 but I understand . Those of us a bit older that were baptized in the originals are down on pretty much all of them after 1970 . At the end of 1970 the mustang died . Yes it got worse in 1-3 and then in my opinion kind of back on track in 4 but still missed the mark . But in no way shape or form did all of us say "Oh thank god" in 1979 when the fox limped out to greet us... No , it was simply another pinto . And we simply said what in the hell have they done now !!!!???? To be honest , the roller motor in 85 saved the car and gave it momentum again . But for us die hards , its still a pinto.... The Fox and all those that came after are simply riding on the reputation earned by the old war horses...

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thanks for watching and for sharing!

[@chuckselvage3157]

What let it down was the lack of performance model.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That was sign of times really. No one could figure out how to decrease emissions and keep higher compression. Thanks for watching!

[@randallrobertson4202]

I've owned 6 Mustang ll's , 3 Cobra ll's ,2 Ghia's (all had 302 V8s , and 1 was a Mach 1 , it had a V6 and was a parts Car for one of my Cobra ll's.. They were nice little Cars..

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

That is an impressive collection! Thanks for watching!

[@jimmywhite3922]

I am the poster child for the Mustang II Mach I!! As a first car andvas a junior in high school my Dad bought me a '73 Mach I. Nice but the automatic was embarrassingly anemic. So!...in college I traded the '73 for a '76 4 speed Mach 1. Much better performance but no world beater. It was fun to drive. My friends and the ladies loved it so at the time...mission accomplished. 😅

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Very cool!

[@robertclymer6948]

Thanks Tony! Loved the history. I always liked the Cobra's and King Corbra. Would not mind finding one to add to my Gen 1 67 Mustang Gt. Stable. Cheers from Motown/Dearborn.

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

Thank you for watching and for your comment.

[@justinwhite9689]

I'm a ford guy 96 2wd ranger 01 f150 4×4 and a 95 trans am convertable and I always had a soft spot for mustang 2 I love to see em at car shows any model

[@TonysFordsandMustangs]

I always find myself checking them out when I see them as well. They are not an easy car to restore and maintain. Parts are tough to find and expensive in relation to other Mustangs.

[@braddietzmusic2429]

In the late 1990s, I saw an orange (?) 1978 King Cobra II at the used car portion of a Ford dealership. Since I was there to consider a primary and daily driver car, I could not consider buying that Mustang, but I really wanted it. I’ve never seen one for sale in real life, since then.

[@timyank8433]

Always thought these were neat little cars. Despite what people think about them now, Ford really did put a lot of thought and detail into making these as fun as they could be despite the challenges of the time