Key Moments in Mustang History (1971-1978)

[TheCrimson]

• 1971 - A new look of the Ford Mustang is revealed. The wrong design for America's changing economy, the new design was only to last three years.

• 1973 - The last year for the "big" Mustang. The Mustang looses its performance image as horsepower dramatically declines; it's definitely time for a change.

• 1974 - The new generation Mustang, the Mustang II, is a major success. Returning back to its roots, the Mustang is once again a compact Pony Car, even though very little performance is offered.

• 1976 - Performance begins to return to the lineup as the Cobra Mustang is offered. Although only available with a V6, the Cobra sparks a trend of performance Mustangs in the near future.

[Orrymain]

Let's call it the learning decade, going from glory to yuck back to hitting home runs. Sometimes change just isn't a good idea.

[cobalt1]

the mustang 2 was released in 1974,built on the pinto platform..it was even smaller than the original model .. the mustang 2 got over 20 MPG and was sold as the model of the year..
and another important event int the history of mustang was that with a debut in 1978 THE KING COBRA was the first Ford Mustang to officially feature the 5.0

[LOWCOP]

i think im one of the few that actually really likes the mustang II. around my area anyway.

[TheCrimson]

The much larger 1973 Mustang was a far different car than the original 1964 model. Ford was deluged with mail from fans of the original car who demanded that the Mustang be returned to its original size and concept. Upon taking over the presidency of Ford Motor Company in December, 1970, Lee Iacocca ordered the development of a smaller Mustang for 1974 introduction. Initial plans called for the downsized Mustang to be based on the compact Ford Maverick, which was similar in size and power to the Falcon upon which the original Mustang had been based. Those plans were later scrapped in favor of an even smaller Mustang based on the subcompact Ford Pinto. Such a car, it was believed, could better compete with smaller, sporty import coupes such as the Toyota Celica and the Ford Capri, then built by Ford of Germany and Britain, and marketed since 1970 in the U.S. by Mercury as a captive import.
Dubbed "Little Jewel" by Iacocca himself, the car sold well, with sales of more than 400,000 units the first year. (It is worth noting that four of the five years of the Mustang II are on the top-ten list of most-sold Mustangs.) The Mustang II featured innovations such as rack-and-pinion steering and a separate engine sub-frame that decreased noise, vibration, and harshness.
The Arab oil embargo, skyrocketing insurance rates, and United States emissions and safety standards destroyed the straight-line performance of virtually every car of the period. In 1974, Chrysler ended production of the Barracuda and its stable mate, the Dodge Challenger. American Motors also discontinued the Javelin at the end of the 1974 model year. GM nearly discontinued the Camaro and Firebird after 1972.


Wikipedia

[exzfactor]

Nice history lesson there crimson, I hope I learn a few more from this and rich classic history of all classic mustang.

[2010 Stang Girl]

Originally Posted by LOWCOP

i think im one of the few that actually really likes the mustang II. around my area anyway.

1976 Mustang II

1977 Mustang II

1978 Mustang II

[Bama1960]

Yea, wished I still had mine. Had my first date in that car, and other adventures. I remember the first gas wars of late 70's, John Lennon being shot in December 1980, and teaching my future wife how to drive a stick shift. You take the good and the bad, and move on.

[2010 Stang Girl]

Originally Posted by Bama1960

...You take the good and the bad, and move on.

^ well said!

[NrrrD GrrrL aMe]

I hear back when it came out, a lot of people didn't like the look of the 76 cobra.. I wonder if it had anything to do with it looking a lot like a 69 camero. Just a thought.