1974-78 Mustang II - the "red headed stepchild" in Mustang history. People either love the "II" or they hate it.

BUT DID YOU KNOW - the all-new 1974 Mustang II was a hot seller 385,993 units sold. Sales numbers Ford would give everything to have today. It was the right car at the right time thanks in part to the Arab Oil Embargo and the gas shortage.
What made the Mustang II a better Mustang than ever before was advanced engineering. It yielded better quality than any Mustang sold to date.
Why?

Improved noise and vibration isolation via a bolt-on front subframe where the engine, driveline, and suspension isolated noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) from the cabin.
This technology wasn't anything new - but it worked. GM's Camaro, Firebird, and Nova had bolt-on front subframes beginning in 1967 - which served the same purpose to improve NVH. It also improved vehicle assembly time. The subframes were completely assembled with front suspension, brakes, and the powertrain - then - bolted to the body on the trim and chassis line.

Body quality was vastly improved - with way better fit and finish. Slam the door on a 1965-73 Mustang - then - slam the door on a Mustang II. You will hear and feel the difference. Shut the deck lid and hood and behold the difference.

The Mustang II's standard interior was elegant - with button and tuck upholstery and molded door panels for Lincoln-like luxury. It offered full instrumentation with a tachometer and a digital clock. You didn't have to pay extra for these features. The rich plush bucket seats offered comfort like Mustang had never had before.

The downside to Mustang II in the beginning was engines. A standard 2.3L OHC four and the optional 2.8L pushrod V-6. Neither was anything to write home about. If properly cared for, both engines were durable performers. The 2.3L has an excellent reputation with racers. The 2.8L V-6 offered the chatter of mechanical tappets - which could be annoying for some buyers.

Although the 302-2V V-8 was offered as an option beginning in 1975, the 1975 Mustang II, like other vehicles, was fitted with a catalytic converter - which hurt power. Sales suffered too at 188,575 units sold. The newness of Mustang II wore off quickly.
Did you know the 1974 Mustang II was available in Mexico ONLY with a 302-2V V-8 and manual transmission?

To spur sales, Ford rolled out Cobra II for 1976-78. It was not much more paint and tape than anything. Ford sold 25,259 Cobra IIs that first year, which accounted for 13.40% of total sales - 187,567 units. When producer Aaron Spelling put Mustang II on "Charlie's Angels" on ABC in the mid 1970s - I believe it helped sales - pushing total Mustang II sales to over 1.1 million units.

Someone liked the Mustang II...
Of course, Mustang II wrapped up with a bang with the 1978 King Cobra package - of which 4,313 were sold. Not bad for a time period when automotive styling was about as lame as it had ever been. All the King Cobra needed was a 5.0L High Output V-8.
The most important aspect of Mustang II was - it kept the name alive and did it well at over a million units sold.

I drove these cars when they were new and they were enjoyable to drive. The 1974 Ghia model was a nice driver with the 2.8L V-6. I also did time behind the wheel of the 1976 Cobra II with a 302 and four-speed. It was a lot of fun to drive.

The no-respect II deserves a lot of respect in what it was, still is, and what it did for the Mustang's great legacy.