Who Loved the Mustang II and Why.

1974 Mustang II

Since the first Mustang rolled off the assembly line 44 years ago this week, the love affair has not slowed down. The first Stang had a unibody over a 108 inch wheel base. You could have a V6 engine with 101 hp or 116 hp. The V8 could be 164 hp or 271 hp. It is no surprise that the V8 was three times as popular. The basic machine had a three speed manual transmission but you could get a four speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic transmission.

The first few years, it was hard to keep up with the demand, the Mustangs were so popular. Then came the second generation Mustang (or the Mustang II). This version was produced from 1974-1978 at Dearborn, Michigan. You could get a 2-door coupe or a 3-door hatchback. There were three engine types:

• 140 cu in (2.3 L) I4
• 171 cu in (2.8 L) Cologne V6
• 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8

Part of the explanation lies in the tightening of the emission laws in 1972. By the beginning of the 1970s, fuel efficiency Ford dropped the Mustang’s V6 to 98 hp and the V8 to between 140hp to 266hp. In 1973, the Mustang engines were lowered again. The V6 dropped to 88hp and the V8 to 135hp or 150hp. The focus on fuel efficiency demanded some huge changes in Mustang’s design.

The Mustang II was the 1974 Motor Trend car of the year and it was a top seller. The odd thing was that Mustang lovers didn’t seem to like the new style Stang and yet it sold extremely well. Take a look at the information on the Mustang II and see if you can figure out why there were mixed reactions to it.

1974 Mustang II

The first of the second generation Mustangs are described in this press release sent out for the 1974 Mustang II by Ford on August 28, 1973:

The most changed car in the auto industry for 1974 is Mustang II, a small, sporty and luxurious car that Ford expects to be the forerunner of a new class. Mustang II is 19 inches shorter than the 1973 Mustang and seven inches shorter than the original Mustang introduced in April, 1964.

Standard mechanical features and luxury appointments exceed those of any other domestic small car ever built by Ford. The car is engineered to provide outstanding maneuverability as well as big-car riding comfort.

"Mustang appears to be the right car at the right time," said Bennett E. Bidwell, Ford vice president and Ford Division general manager. "Americans increasingly want the functional advantages of a small car but they don't want to sacrifice the comfort and luxury of a big car. Mustang II has them all.

"Fuel economy also is of growing concern to the public and the four-cylinder engine in Mustang II will deliver about 20 miles per gallon in normal city and suburban driving."

Mustang II will be available in two body styles and four models. There is a two-door "notchback" with a traditional roofline reminiscent of the original Mustang, and a three-door "hatchback" with a youthful sloping roofline wit the third door in the rear. The two-door notchback is available in a base four-seater model and a super-luxury four-seat Ghia model named after Ford's design studio in Italy. Three-door hatchback models are a 2 + 2 and, a Mach I.

Standard engine for Mustang II is Ford's new 2.3-liter (140-cubic-inch) four-cylinder overhead-cam powerplant - the first metric engine ever built in the United States. Optional is the 2.8-liter (171-cubic-inch) V-6 engine built by Ford of Germany. Mustang II will be the only U.S. car to offer V-6 performance in a small car.

Great attention to detail and quality is evident throughout Mustang II. Front and rear bumpers, which provide protection in barrier five-mph impact tests, are covered with a plastic coating color-matched to the sheet metal. Moldings are slim and lustrous. Paint work is of the highest quality, reflecting the use of an electrostatic process, and the finish coats are one-third thicker than those of '73 Mustangs to give a deeper color.

Standard equipment for Mustang II includes front buckets seats which provide exceptional lateral support, cut pile carpeting for the floor and lower door, tachometer and full instrumentation, simulated burled walnut accents, European armrests and door pulls, and full-width headrests. Full wheelcovers also are standard.

There are 45 options including digital clock, sun roof, AM/FM multiplex radio and stereo tape system, air conditioning, left and right-hand remote control mirrors, and steel-belted radial-ply tires.

A unique sub-frame cradles the engine and transmission and anchors the front suspension of Mustang II and is chiefly responsible for the big-car ride and for helping to isolate noise, vibration and harshness from the passenger compartment. This is the first use by Ford of a sub-frame with a unitized body.

Rack-and-pinion steering, preferred by sports car drivers for its precision, is standard, and power assist is optional. Brakes are disc front and drum rear with power assist optional. A new front seat occupant restraint/starter interlock system will be on all models to provide greater driver and passenger protection.

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1974 Mustang II

The 1974 Mustang came in these exterior colors: Bright Green Gold Metallic, Bright Red, Dark Red, Ginger Glow, Green Glow, Light Blue, Medium Bright Blue Metallic, Medium Copper Metallic, Medium Lime Yellow, Pearl White, Saddle Bronze Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Tan Glow.

The interior colors were black, blue, tan, red, blue/white, avocado, silver, tan/white, and red/white.

There were four models:

• Coupe, standard, $3,134
• Hatchback, standard, $3,328
• Coupe, Ghia, standard, $3,480
• Hatchback, Mach 1, standard, $3,674

1974 Mustang to 1978 Mustang Pictures