So we talked about the 1974 the year of big changes and small engines for the Mustang, now designated as Mustang II. The entire idea was to return to the original roots of the Mustang, small every day car. A far cry from the 300 plus horsepower for the 1969-1973 Mach 1’s. Of course it was a good idea, even though most of us don’t think so then or even now, but take a look at the numbers.The 1974 Mustang II sold over 380,000 units, and not a single V8 in the lot and that was 3 time as many Mustang as were sold in 1973. Additionally, it was Motor Trends car of the year. Now just between you and me, the Motor Trend thing doesn’t do much for me (nor does the J.D. Powers award or any of the others) but it does work for some and judging by the numbers that sold at least 380,000 others.
In 1975 things changes a bit for the Mustang. The infamous 302 returned, making a V8 an option. But how as the possible? What occurred that would bring back the a V8? As mentioned above there were Mustang sold with V8 engines…”In the US“!!!! But our friends south of the border (for those of you geographically challenged, that would be Mexico) were in fact selling Mustangs with V8. Not many knew this was going on but once Hot Rod magazine got wind of it and put it in the front of its June ’74 issue, Ford decided that it need to “pony up” (come on now..that’s clever!!!!) and add the V8 for the 1975 edition of the Mustang II.
Your 1975 Mustang Line Up
The V8 was only available with an automatic transmission and was an option for the Ghia and the Mach I (even though the standard Mach 1 engine was the V6) as well as the other models and topped with a 2 barrel carb, it produced a whopping 122 hp or 140 hp depending on you proved the numbers.
So things were looking in 1975 although the number didn’t get even close to the 1974 model.
1975 Mustang Production Data:
69F Hatchback: 30,038
69R Hatchback – Mach 1: 21,062
60F Coupe: 85,155
60H Coupe – Ghia: 51,320
Total Production: 188,575
The total range of engine looked like this:
| 1975 Mustang Engines
2.3 L – 140 cid, I-4, 2bbl, 88 hp 2.8 L – 171 cid, V6, 2bbl, 105 hp 5.0 L – 302 cid, V8, 2bbl, 140 hp |
Code
Y Z F |
There were two transmission available a 4 speed manual and 3 speed automatic – but the 4 speed was not available for the 302. That might seem odd but it may have to do with a fitment issue.
More coming up.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
I remember the excitment in the Motor Head community when the Fox Body Mustang came out; I think it had the 185HP 5.0 with a large 4 barrel. Even BMW/Hinda loving Car and Driver magazine kept the Fox Body Mustang on it’s ’10 Best List’ for many years.
I agree with you about the Motor Trend Car of the Year; remember that the worst car of all of GM’s history, the Chevy Vega, was Car of the Year back in 1973.
I think the fact that Detroit’s quality was at an all time low, coupled with the fact that the Mustang II replacement ‘fox body’ car was just so much better, made the Mustang II a forgotten car.
I remember the excitment in the Motor Head community when the Fox Body Mustang came out; I think it had the 185HP 5.0 with a large 4 barrel. Even BMW/Hinda loving Car and Driver magazine kept the Fox Body Mustang on it’s ’10 Best List’ for many years.
Even today, there is a following for the Fox Body Mustang that will probably place it on the future collectors list soon, if it isn’t there already.