Rebuilt 302ci V8/Rebuilt C4 Auto/GT40 Heads/Marti Report/2020 Repaint

"The Mustang market never left us," Lee Iacocca, father of the original Mustang, often said, "we left it.".  In December 1970, as Ford's new president, Iacocca ordered a smaller, trimmer Mustang for the 1974 model year.  Love it or hate it, the Mustang II is part of Blue Oval history and is here to stay.  For consignment, a repainted in 2020, hardtop version of the Mustang II.  With upgrades to the engine, a Marti Report and some slight changes to the interior including many Ghia trimmings inside, this Pony may be small but is sure to make as big of an impact on your friends as it's been doing since arriving in our Hallowed Halls.  

***Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.***  

Exterior
A nod was given to the styling cues from the first Mustang way back in 1964.5.  The long nose and short deck pony car mantra holds true with the Mustang II styling.  Shades of yore can be seen in the round single headlights and slightly oval blacked out egg crate grille complete with the obligatory chrome galloping horse floating in the center.  Following the NTSB federal crash mandates, a large neoprene crash bumper juts out from the body and is highlighted by a simple chrome insert that follows the bumper contours nicely.  The entire body has been bathed in Polar White, a 2020 respray of the factory color which is holding up well with only a single rust bubble noted on the bottom of the driver's door.  Moving down the sides, the Mustang II continues to sport the obligatory hockey stick cove in the doors and rear quarters and the prominent squared off rear roofline.  Out back the throwback hits keep coming with 3 section tail lights, but we note a slight change to blacked out trim around the lenses.  This blackout treatment appears again on the trim around the glass and also on the lower body side molding.   Although Ford sold 153,173 cars for the model year, this was the lowest production run for the Mustang II throughout the entire generation.  14-inch aluminum American Racing wheels are on and are wrapped in 185/70R14's all around, and as a bonus our consignor is including the factory 13" wheels and tires with the purchase.

Interior
Opening the doors we are greeted with fresh white vinyl door panels with some wood applique trim panels and clean chrome cranks and actuators.  This is all in amazingly good condition looking like new.  To the passenger compartment where we see front buckets and a rear 2 plus 2 bench, with all these surfaces covered in a square waffle stitched vinyl pattern with buttons draped in white with blue inserts just below the headrests.  These seats are all excellent in their condition.  A white center console races forward and has a spacious storage box and a chrome T-handle shifter.  The dash is all original and pristine presenting in aqua blue sporting a clean applique, gauges, and warning light cluster in front of the original steering wheel.  All original in these panels, and all very clean.  The slightly wrinkled white headliner stretches above, and blue carpet, also very clean, floods the floors.

Drivetrain
Opening the short hood, we are greeted by a 302ci V8 in slightly hot rodded and clean condition.  Our consignor states and has paperwork to back up his claim that this engine was rebuilt at 82,662 miles.  This mill was bored .030 over, balanced, blueprinted, has been fitted with new rods and pistons as well as an Edelbrock Performer camshaft.  An Edelbrock aluminum intake and 4bbl carburetor handle the air and fuel end of things and GT40 cylinder heads cap off the block.  Also rebuilt at 82,662 miles is the C4 3-speed automatic transmission strapped to the back.  Way back is a Ford 8-inch rear, and it has 2.79 conventional gears.

Undercarriage
Some slight surface rust on the suspension and exhaust, but sturdy black floor pans and unibody construction.  All of this is in amazingly nice and preserved condition.  Mustang II front suspension, and leaf springs on the rear suspension as well as front power disc brakes and rear power drums are noted.  Hedman headers and Flowmaster exhaust allow for the removal of spent fossils and we note the absence of the catalytic converter.  For those wishing to remain emissions compliant, our consignor is including the stock Y-pipe and converter.

Drive-Ability
It isn't often we get a Mustang II in our vast inventory, so when this one arrived both my test driver and I ran to drive this example.  It fired right up and ran beautifully.  Cornered like it was on rails, and has great acceleration.  It did not drive like a 45 year old car.  Also a good cruiser, with a smooth ride with all functions operational save for the horn and radio.

We can categorize this car as a survivor simply because they are rarely seen anymore.  All clean and ready to be enjoyed by the next proud owner.  A freshly rebuilt drivetrain and clean upgraded interior and it looks the part, and the snappy white on white combination will have you ready to gallop off into the sunset, or to the next car show.

7F02F186443

71-977
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
02-Mustang Hardtop
F-302ci V8 2bbl
186443-Sequential Unit Number

DOOR STICKER

DATE 0377-March 1977
COLOR 9D-Polar White
DSO 16-Philadelphia
BODY 60F-Mustang Hardtop
TRIM A7-White Vinyl, Aqua Components
DATE 25C-March 25th
AXLE 3-Ford 8" 2.79 Gears
TRANS W-C4 Automatic