Car Model History

Second generation · Mustang II · 1974–1978

1976Ford Mustang

The Mustang II — a smaller, more economical Pinto-based car for the oil-crisis era, built 1974–1978.

Second generation · Mustang II

1976 Ford Mustang II Cobra II — front view

Photo: “76 cobra ii front - 5-6-2023” by Captainpisslord / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
3offered140 cu in (2.3 L) I4 (base) → 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 (2-bbl)
Top output
102hp171 cu in (2.8 L) V6
Production
187,567unitsmodel year
Base price
$3,791base coupe
Today
≈$20,900inflation-adjusted MSRP, not market value

Body styles2-door coupe (hardtop) · 3-door hatchback (2+2)

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1976 Ford Mustang model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1976 Mustang

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

1factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

1versions shown
Two-door notchback coupe

Ford Mustang Base Two-door notchback coupe Manual

Body
Two-door notchback coupe
Engine
2.3-liter inline-four
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1976 model year

Overview

Style over speed. With performance constrained by emissions rules, Ford leaned into appearance packages — and 1976 introduced the Cobra II, a tape-and-spoiler tribute to the Shelby cars that gave the Mustang II a sportier look without much more go. The mechanical lineup carried over, with the four and six recovering a little output. (Horsepower figures are SAE net; the 302 V8's 1976 net rating is reported inconsistently across period sources and is omitted here.)

Specifications

Engines
  • 140 cu in (2.3 L) I4 (base)92 hp
  • 171 cu in (2.8 L) V6102 hp
  • 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 (2-bbl)
Transmissions
4-speed manual, C3 3-speed automatic
Body styles
2-door coupe (hardtop), 3-door hatchback (2+2)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 96.2 in · Length 175.0 in · Width 70.2 in
Base price
$3,791 (base coupe)See what that's worth today →
Production
187,567 (model year)

Year over year

What changed

  • The Cobra II appearance package debuted — black grille, simulated hood scoop, dual over-the-top racing stripes, quarter-window louvers, and front/rear spoilers.
  • A Stallion appearance group arrived with styled wheels and blacked-out trim.
  • An All-Black Sport Group joined the Mach 1, alongside a Rallye Package and the continuing Ghia Luxury Group.
  • A manual moon roof became optional.
  • Base four-cylinder output recovered to 92 hp and the V6 to 102 hp.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The Cobra II is the defining Mustang II collectible — its Shelby-style graphics made it a period icon and a frequent screen and toy subject.
  • Production was 187,567 for the model year.
  • The Ghia continued as the luxury trim.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • The Cobra II is a looks package, not a performance one — verify whether a given car has the V8 or just the stripes before paying a premium.
  • Standard rust inspection applies: floors, lower fenders, and subframe.
  • Parts support is good thanks to shared Pinto/Mustang II components.

What it costs now

Price today

Original MSRP$3,791 (base coupe)1976
Inflation-adjusted≈$20,900what that MSRP is worth in today's dollars

Current market value

We don't publish a market estimate for the 1976 model year yet. A valuation ships here only when it can be sourced and dated — we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1976 Mustang on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1976 Ford Mustang. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
11
Factory intervals
10
Fitment-scoped
11
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Ford Mustang (second generation)"
  2. automobile-catalog
  3. MustangSpecs

Other Second generation years

Explore the Mustang II generation →All Second generation · Mustang II years →

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