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Designated as the “black sheep” of the Ford Mustang family, the Mustang II is making a comeback for Mustang enthusiasts. “While the first generation Mustangs are often restored to original condition, a higher percentage of Mustang IIs get modified with more powerful engines, better brakes and upgraded suspensions,” says John Clor, Ford Racing enthusiast content manager and Mustang historian. “People are finally recognizing the critical role that Mustang II plays in the pony car lineage,” he continues.
At first, the Mustang II lacked the acceleration of the classic Mustang pony car, but due to its sleek dimensions, the overall performance seemed to be comparable. With over 385,000 sales in 1974, the Mustang was able to remain strong enough to justify another development for the all-new model in 1979. You could say that the Mustang II, provided the life bridge of the Mustang just long enough to maintain sales and buy time for Ford to hit the streets with a better design in body, quality, and engine. Without the Mustang II there would be no Fox-body, no SN95, and no S197 Mustang, Ford would simply have let the name die.
To give the “black sheep” some credit, the Mustang II was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1974. This was the only Mustang to achieve that honor until 1994. Looking back in history, the Mustang II was a new type of pony car designed for an era of high gas prices and fuel shortages. While it may lack in its good looks to some, the Mustang II was a product of its time and many are beginning to find it a desirable collectible today.
