Mustang II (second generation)
1974–1978
The Mustang reinvented for the oil-crisis era. Built on the subcompact Ford Pinto platform, the Mustang II was smaller, lighter, and aimed squarely at a market that suddenly wanted economy over muscle. The timing was right commercially — it won Motor Trend's 1974 Car of the Year and was a strong sales success — even though enthusiasts have never warmed to it. 1974 is the only model year in Mustang history offered with no V8 in the US (a 2.3-liter four and 2.8-liter V6 only); the 302 V8 returned as an option for 1975. No convertible was offered in this generation — the body styles were a notchback coupe and a 2+2 hatchback.
Photo: “1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II (28371241885)” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
1974–1978
Overview
The Mustang reinvented for the oil-crisis era. Built on the subcompact Ford Pinto platform, the Mustang II was smaller, lighter, and aimed squarely at a market that suddenly wanted economy over muscle. The timing was right commercially — it won Motor Trend's 1974 Car of the Year and was a strong sales success — even though enthusiasts have never warmed to it. 1974 is the only model year in Mustang history offered with no V8 in the US (a 2.3-liter four and 2.8-liter V6 only); the 302 V8 returned as an option for 1975. No convertible was offered in this generation — the body styles were a notchback coupe and a 2+2 hatchback.
Milestones
Highlights
- Downsized onto the Ford Pinto platform — about a foot shorter and far lighter than the 1973 Mustang.
- Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1974 — the last Mustang to win the award until 1994.
- 1974 is the only Mustang model year sold in the US with no V8 available.
- The 302 V8 returned to the options sheet for 1975.
- Coupe and 2+2 hatchback only — no convertible was offered (the convertible was absent 1974–1982).
Model years in this generation