Basic Black: 1978 Ford Mustang II – SOLD!

March 14, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Growing up in Western New York, Ford’s pony car earned the nickname “Rustang” for their intolerance to salt-infested winter roads. That’s likely the primary reason you don’t see very Mustang II’s anymore.  The other reason is that enthusiasts never found the Pinto-based version all that exciting.  This 1978 Mustang II originally listed in March 2022 on Craigslist in Seneca Falls, New York may have survived becoming a rust’s latest victim, but this base car’s inline-four backed by a four-speed manual says “Pinto” more than it does “Mustang. Having driven a ’78 hatchback with this powertrain, I can’t even imagine how this Mustang II climbs hills with the factory air conditioning running.

The seller of this 1978 Mustang II currently has it listed for $5,500. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Mustang II priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $4,500 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $7,300 before factoring in a twenty percent discount for the four-cylinder engine.  As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $4,500 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $6,800.

Ford introduced the downsized Mustang II in the Fall of 1973 as a 1974 model available as a four-passenger, front-engine rear-drive compact. Nearly five hundred pounds lighter and almost 19 inches shorter than the 1973 Mustang, the second generation was derived from Ford’s subcompact Pinto platform using a unique unibody with an isolated front suspension and engine mount subframe while sharing a limited number of chassis and driveline components. The steering was improved from the previous generation by using a rack-and-pinion design. Body styles included a two-door coupe and a three-door hatchback that replaced the prior model’s fastback roofline. Ford never produced a Mustang II convertible; the closest substitute was the availability of T-Tops on the hatchback model for the last two years of production.

Launched just as the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo hit while receiving Motor Trend’s coveted Car of the Year award helped the Mustang II achieve over one million in sales over four years of production. Despite all this, the heavily Pinto-based Mustang II is often overlooked by Mustang enthusiasts and it was only recently that prices finally appear to be on the rise for second-generation Mustangs.

1978 was the fourth and final year of Mustang II production before it was replaced by Ford’s third-generation Fox body ‘Stang.  The only big news for 1978 was the ‘Cobra II’ tape stripe performance package that was Ford’s lame attempt as a competitive alternative to Pontiac’s hugely successful Trans Am of that time.

The Classic Car Channel on YouTube features this pair of 1978 Ford Mustang II commercials:

With only eighty-eight horsepower on tap, this may not be the most powerful Mustang ever, but it’s likely one of the more fuel-efficient classic cars you can buy.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1978 BASE MODEL MINT COND. 4 CYL. 4 SPD A/C BLACK 105K MILES $5500, RUNS AND DRIVES NEW, NO ROT OR PATCHES. NO TRADES, NO TEXT, CALLS ONLY! THX, Rod !”

Do you have a Ford Mustang II story to share?  If so, comment below and let us know!