Unloved at Any Speed?

I'm talking about the Mustang II.    So even with the 9-second street car Mustang II, it is still unloved?

Found one for sale, I am tempted to build one as my last-hurrah V8 thumper.   They look great as pro-street cars, no so much as road racers.

https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/newsroom/2018/02/_sudden-death_-big-block-mustang-ii-.html

In university, one of my housemates had a brand new V6 Mustang II. Within 2 years, rust was bubbling up in several places on the car. This was in Victoria, B.C. where they never see salt, and you can still find Japanese cars from the 70s running around in good, unrestored shape. Ford must have installed rust in the factory! I'm amazed any are still around.

Mustang IIs have a cult following.  There is a gaggle of them that show up at a local Saturday cruise-in, six or seven, ranging from fours and 2.8 sixes to a couple 302 cars, one with a Roots type blower (the old Weiand one for Fords with the offset blower drive).

I always thought they looked cool.  Not as awesome as the earlier cars but still visually true to the Mustang look.

I think they are unloved because mid 70s American cars universally sucked: awful engines, awful build quality, crap engineering. They were released at the same time as the Big Ugly Bumpers, which also did not help.  As small as they are, early Fox Mustangs are lighter, too.  Plus they were following the '71-73 which was kind of tough, those cars were engineered to take big blocks and now you want me in this 140ci thing?

There are some still around.   

What would be amazing is to find a Ford EXPs, they were the mini  2-seater FWD Fox Mustangs.   I had one when I lived in Gainesville was going to build into a drag car, but never did.

I like Mustang IIs, especially the Cobras, but I've always thought it would make more sense to just build a Pinto instead.

Ford EXP's were Escorts in drag, like a Scirroco, but worse in every possible way.  FWD.  The drag car is a silouete only.

I think I'd rather play with a Maverick than an MII.  I would prefer a Capri over both though. 

There was a really nice CP Autocross Mustang II that was running around in the mid late 90's.  The magazine did an article on it in the late 90's early 00's, but I don't remember when or the owner / drivers name.  Loved that car, looked wicked in CP form.

Aren't you able to do some impressive things with the suspension in a Mustang II? Or is that just because everyone used the front suspension for their cars and all the kinks were worked out?

Maverick's look absolutely awesome dressed up in Mad Max style; i've been low-key looking for a good manual one for years:

I'd rock one.

It would just need a little attention, and not be a Ghia.

Well not too much love for Mavericks either. Mine does have Mustang II front suspension.

wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) said:

I'd rock one.

It would just need a little attention, and not be a Ghia.

 

This looks similar to one I've seen in SE Michigan. With a widened track and the front wheels relocated closer to the front bumper it actually looked very nice. The overall shape of a Mustang II isn't the issue, it's the size and location of the wheel wells that screwed it up, AKA a Pinto wheelbase/floor pan.

I assumed the front suspension on the Maverick was decent-ish from the factory but apparently that's not the case?  Quick web searching makes me think that it's not so hot. 

Almost funny how Fords of that era seem behind their GM and Chrysler counterparts.  MII being an exception of course.

Worst car I've ever owned.  At least the MG's were fun when they ran.

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

I assumed the front suspension on the Maverick was decent-ish from the factory but apparently that's not the case?  Quick web searching makes me think that it's not so hot. 

Almost funny how Fords of that era seem behind their GM and Chrysler counterparts.  MII being an exception of course.

Ever see a '61 Falcon, or a '65 Mustang?  You saw a Maverick.

The nice thing about a Mustang II suspension for a Maverick (or a Mustang) is getting rid of the spring/shock towers, which gives you room for headers that are worth the trouble.  Ford traditionally had awful exhaust ports because they had to make the engines fit in really cramped engine bays.

Always seemed like a heavy Pinto to me.

Anything looks good when its going 9 seconds or faster.

Another nicely modded one.

I don't know this is a pretty good looking road racer

In the '90s, my uncle had an entire hillside covered in Mustang IIs with their front suspensions removed at his house.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Cobra Joe has the blown car.  I hate them.  The cars, not the guys.  Sometimes the guys too.  They're horrible and have no redeeming qualities 

Monzas are better in every important way - IE looks.

Shouldn't this be part of the ugly car thread? :)

Here is one that looks pretty good with the wide body, and even a v10. 

I had a 71 Pinto that was going to be my lemons car.   I don't know if the II has the same engine placement as a pinto?  A pinto has the engine way far forward relative to the front wheels, or I should say the front wheels are moved back.   Looks similiar with the II, but is it the same?   The fastback II is much nicer than the stubby pinto IMO.

If I was going to build another mustang at any point it would be a mustang 2. The 65-66 cars are too exspensive and fox body's are getting up there so price was the m2 is starting too look like a bargain.