Whether or not you were a fan of the compact Mustang II, it’s undisputed that the car paved the way for the upcoming Fox Body cars which remain popular even today. And if nothing else, the Mustang II kept the Mustang name alive during a time of changing consumer preferences. Could the same be said about the modern-day electric Mustang Mach-E?
The Pick of the Day is a 1976 Ford Mustang II listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“Having only traveled 26,000 miles from new, this unique Mustang II looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor,” the listing begins. “It is believed to have had one repaint in its original color of Vermillion Red with a contrasting red and white interior.”
When compared to the outgoing Mustang, the Mustang II was 490 pounds lighter and almost 19 inches shorter when it debuted for 1974. It was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, but some members of the enthusiast (and journalist) community criticized the car’s downsizing and reduced power. External forces were heavy at the time, including the Arab oil embargo which contributed to the fuel crisis and encouraged emissions improvements.
In marketing materials, Ford tried to convince people that the car was still fun to drive despite being fuel-efficient. One of the magazine advertisements from 1976 said, “The score for ’76: Mustang II, Boredom 0.” The car was EPA rated at 34 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city, but Ford said, “You’ll find it’s just plain fun to drive; a road machine that gives you many of the features you find in more expensive European sports cars.”
With efficiency in mind, power for this example comes from a 2.8-liter (171ci) Cologne V6 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller says, “The engine fires immediately from cold and there are no unexpected noises or vibrations. The A/C blows ice cold, and further luxury items not standard for the time include power steering, power brakes, remote mirror adjust, and a luggage rack.”
The car’s indicated 26,113 mileage reading is believable when looking at the interior. The white vinyl seats are nicely kept, and the overall cabin looks neat and original. A Kenwood AM/FM CD player has been cleverly hidden inside the glove compartment.
“If you’re a product of the seventies and have fond memories of cars from this era, you’d be hard pressed to find a better preserved, original example of Ford’s new pony car than this one,” the listing concludes.
The asking price is $19,995 or best offer, and the car will come with an owner’s manual and a Chilton’s repair manual.
Does the Mustang II get your juices flowing or was it unfit for the pony car name? Discuss amongst yourselves!
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com