The Mustang ll
2/1/04, 07:22 PM
#6
I think the little II's are under-rated. No, they weren't the best Mustang ever done, but they weren't bad either. Styling was actually pretty attractive really, with the only thing really taking away from it being the ridiculously small 13" rims Ford put on the car. I saw a picture of a really clean dark green Ghia with some LX tn holes on it once and the car actually looked really good with the larger rims.
Also, IMO it was a far better "performance" car in the emissions choked 70's than the Camaro. And, the Camaro didn't exactly have a "looks" advantage when they were wearing those giant chrome bumpers in 74-76 either. Those cars looked horrible with that big battering ram in front, and were slow as a stone too. When they went back to the intergrated front bumper it was much better IMO, but still as slow as molasses going uphill.
Don't get me wrong, neither car was a "factory race car" by any stretch. However, the lighter Mustang was a whole lot easier to make respectable on the street than the much heavier Camaro was. If Ford had just opened up the wheelwells a bit, slapped a set of 15's on the little pony-car, and stayed away from the "you think you got a screaming chicken, well let me show you something" graphics packages the Cobra and King Cobra offered....well then Ford might have gotten away with it.
As it is, if I was going to buy a small Ford performance car from the 70's I wouldn't mind a Mustang II. And, I would probably pick a Ghia and paint it dark green. But, I have to say my first choice would be a early to mid seventies Capri. Ford nailed that one on the head.
Also, IMO it was a far better "performance" car in the emissions choked 70's than the Camaro. And, the Camaro didn't exactly have a "looks" advantage when they were wearing those giant chrome bumpers in 74-76 either. Those cars looked horrible with that big battering ram in front, and were slow as a stone too. When they went back to the intergrated front bumper it was much better IMO, but still as slow as molasses going uphill.
Don't get me wrong, neither car was a "factory race car" by any stretch. However, the lighter Mustang was a whole lot easier to make respectable on the street than the much heavier Camaro was. If Ford had just opened up the wheelwells a bit, slapped a set of 15's on the little pony-car, and stayed away from the "you think you got a screaming chicken, well let me show you something" graphics packages the Cobra and King Cobra offered....well then Ford might have gotten away with it.
As it is, if I was going to buy a small Ford performance car from the 70's I wouldn't mind a Mustang II. And, I would probably pick a Ghia and paint it dark green. But, I have to say my first choice would be a early to mid seventies Capri. Ford nailed that one on the head.
2/1/04, 07:26 PM
#7
I forgot something, if you are looking to carry the Mustang banner into battle at the drag-strip...there is little better choice than a Mustang II. Light as a feather, and easy to amke hook up with the right mods.
2/2/04, 10:30 AM
#8
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My family bought a V6 coupe in 1974 with the four speed. It seemed far sportier and cooler than the other family car (a 1970 Pontiac LeMans), even though it was far from fast.
I do remember being impressed by the fact that, even with the v6, the car had a full set of dual exhausts from the factory. I also remember how low the car was.
Unfortunately, it suffered from typical '70s quality issues. By 1981, rust was beginning to set in, despite regular washing and waxing. As well, Ford v6s of this vintage apparently had a problem with valve guides, so it was using a fair amount of oil with around 80000 miles on the clock.
Still, I have fond memories of the car, though I wish they had gotten the hatch as it was a much nicer looking car!
I do remember being impressed by the fact that, even with the v6, the car had a full set of dual exhausts from the factory. I also remember how low the car was.
Unfortunately, it suffered from typical '70s quality issues. By 1981, rust was beginning to set in, despite regular washing and waxing. As well, Ford v6s of this vintage apparently had a problem with valve guides, so it was using a fair amount of oil with around 80000 miles on the clock.
Still, I have fond memories of the car, though I wish they had gotten the hatch as it was a much nicer looking car!
2/3/04, 03:46 PM
#20
Bow Chica Bow Wow
TMS Staff
TMS Staff
Originally posted by Evil_Capri@Feb. 3rd, 2004, 4:14 PM
I think this is my favorite II!
I love the Shaker Hood Scope!!
I think this is my favorite II!
I love the Shaker Hood Scope!!
I always loved the body lines on the side of the mustang 2 hatch backs.