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.
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)
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
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
- Scheduled topics
- 10
- Applicability stated
- 11
- Exact references
- 1
Before ordering Identify 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.
Engine oil and filterView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine oil and filter
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Schedule C
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Severe service
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Engine oil filterView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
Manufacturer application-catalog fitment only; this does not establish an oil-change interval.
2.3-liter inline-four
Baldwin B2
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Pre-1980 Applications section — Ford 1976, Mustang 2.3-liter inline-four row · checked
Verified ordering references
- Service replacementBaldwin B2
Qty. 1 · Engine oil filter · catalog-listed
Baldwin's manufacturer application table lists this filter for the stated model year and engine. Confirm the VIN and installed engine before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Pre-1980 Applications section — Ford 1976, Mustang 2.3-liter inline-four row · checked
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Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Schedule C
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Fuel filterView intervals, applicability and sources
Fuel filter
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Schedule C
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Engine air-cleaner elementView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine air-cleaner element
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Schedule C
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
PCV / crankcase ventilation serviceView intervals, applicability and sources
PCV / crankcase ventilation service
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Schedule C — crankcase filter
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Accessory drive belts — inspectView intervals, applicability and sources
Accessory drive belts — inspect
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Schedule C
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Engine coolantView intervals, applicability and sources
Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Automatic transmission fluidView intervals, applicability and sources
Automatic transmission fluid
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Brake fluidView intervals, applicability and sources
Brake fluid
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
Chassis lubricationView intervals, applicability and sources
Chassis lubrication
Sourced interval available
Source: Haynes — Ford Mustang II 1974–1978 manufacturer-derived routine maintenance · Printed pages 12–14, Routine maintenance: Schedules A, B, and C plus severe-condition interval · checked
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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.
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.
Browse 1 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
No factory configuration matches those filters.