1977 Ford Mustang
Second generation · Mustang II 1974–1978
The Mustang II — a smaller, more economical Pinto-based car for the oil-crisis era, built 1974–1978.
Photo: “1977 Ford Mustang II Cobra (14203160339)” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
The 1977 model year
Overview
A holding year built around appearance and comfort options rather than power. Ford added a T-top option for the hatchback and a Ghia Sports Group, while the four and six lost a few horsepower to tightening emissions rules. Late in the year the Cobra II's graphics were revised — the hood scoop reversed and the striping changed — bridging into the 1978 look. (Horsepower figures are SAE net; the 302 V8's net rating for 1977 is reported inconsistently across period sources and is omitted here.)
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 140 cu in (2.3 L) I4 (base) 89 hp
- 171 cu in (2.8 L) V6 93 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
- $3,678 (base coupe) ≈$19,000 today (inflation-adjusted) 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.
- Production
- 153,117 (model year)
Year over year
What changed
- A T-top option (removable tinted-glass roof panels) became available on the hatchback.
- A Ghia Sports Group arrived with color-matched black or tan treatments.
- Base four-cylinder output slipped to 89 hp and the V6 to 93 hp.
- Mid-year, the Cobra II's graphics were revised — the hood scoop was reversed, the striping moved to a single stripe with centered "COBRA" lettering, and louvers were added to the hatch (changes that carried into 1978).
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- T-top cars can leak or rust around the roof openings over time — inspect the seals and surrounding metal.
- As with the rest of the generation, check floors, lower body, and subframe for rust first.
- The four and six are economy engines; the V8 is the choice for anything beyond gentle driving.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Production fell to 153,117 — the lowest Mustang II model-year total.
- The revised mid-year Cobra II graphics make 1977 a transitional year for that package.
- The Ghia continued as the luxury trim, now with the new Sports Group option.
Famous variants this year
Sources
Other Second generation years
Explore the Mustang II generation → All Second generation · Mustang II years →