1974 Mustang II

The 1974 Mustang II

The 1974 Mustang II was a total departure from previous Mustangs. Downsized, it was available only in two body styles – a two-door hardtop and a three-door hatchback. There were no convertibles. It did incorporate many of the first generation Mustang’s styling cues such as the long hood/short deck configuration, the side sculpturing and the front grille.

Mechanically, the Mustang II differed in many ways from the first generation Mustangs. The front suspension was redesigned. The front springs were now located between the control arms rather than above the upper A arm. A front subframe was designed to isolate the engine from the rest of the chassis mostly due to the inherent vibration of the standard 2.3L four-cylinder engine. Rack and pinion replaced the recirculating ball steering, and front disc brakes were standard, as were staggered rear shocks. Also standard equipment was a four-speed manual transmission.

In the interior, a more informative dash was used. Tachometer, fuel, alternator and temperature gauges were standard as were non-reclining bucket seats.

Two engines were available. The base 140 ci 2.3L four-cylinder was the first metric American engine. It featured a cross-flow single overhead cam cyliner head, but it pumped out a meager 88 hp – not really enough for a Mustang weighing close to 3,000 pounds.

The only optional engine for 1974 was the German-built 171 ci 2.8L V-6 rated at 105 hp. It was a nice little engine, but again the Mustang II was too heavy for any sort of performance that was reminiscent of the first generation Mustangs.

The Mustang II was available in three models, base in either hardtop or three-door 2+2, the luxury-oriented two-door hardtop Ghia and the performance looking Mach 1 three-door 2+2.

The Ghia moniker replaced the Grande and was the luxury Mustang. Ghia was the name of the Italian desing studios that Ford had acquired. Using the Ghia name was intended to lend an air of European exclusivity. The Ghia came with the expected upgrades: deluxe seatbelts, digital quartz clock, the luxury interior group (vinyl seats and door trim, door courtesy lights, 25-oz carpeting, rear ashtray, parking brake boot and sound package), outside color-keyed remote control mirrors, pin stripes, vinyl roof, Picardy velour cloth and the styled steel wheels were a no-cost option.

The Mach 1 came with the larger engine, the 2.8L V-6, and a unique lower bodyside treatment with Mach 1 lettering. However, the Rallye package was required to give the Mach 1 the maximum performance potential. The package consisted of the Traction-Lok differential, CR70x13 wide oval radial B/WL tires, extra cooling package, digital quartz clock, the Competition Suspension(heavy-duty front and rear springs, rear stabilizer bar and adjustable shocks), outside color-keyed remote control mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and styled steel wheels/trim rings.

Other interesting options were a manual sunroof, forged aluminum wheels and an anti-theft alarm system.

1974 General Statistics

Wheel base	96.2 inches
Track, frt/rear	55.6 / 55.8 inches
Width	70.2 inches
Height	50.3 inches
Length	175 inches
Curb Weight	Coupe – 2,620lbs Fastback – 2,699lbs Ghia – 2,866lbs Mach 1 – 2,778lbs
Engines	2.3L Four-Cylinder 85hp @ 5,000rpm 2.8L V-6 105hp @ 4,500rpm
Weight Dist. % f/r	58 / 42

1974 Prices (USD)

Hardtop (4 cyl)	$3,134
2 + 2 (4 cyl)	$3,328
Ghia (4 cyl)	$3,480
Mach 1 (6 cyl)	$3,674
6 cyl engine	+ $229

Click HERE for current price guide.

Option	Price
Accent Group	151.00
Air conditioner, SelectAire	390.00
Alarm system, anti-theft	75.00
Automatic seatback release	24.00
Axle, Traction-Lok differential	45.00
Battery, heavy-duty	14.00
Belts, color-keyed deluxe	17.00
Bumper guards, front and rear	37.00
Clock, digital quartz crystal	36.00
Console	53.00
Convenience Group:
Models with Luxury Interior Group	41.00
Mach 1, models w/Rallye Package or Accent Group	21.00
Ghia, models w/Luxury Interior Group in combination with Rallye Package	4.00
Mach 1 in combination with Luxury Interior Group	4.00
All other models	57.00
Electric rear window defroster	59.00
Emission equipment, Calif.	19.00
Glass, tinted complete	39.00
Light Group	44.00
Luxury Interior Group	100.00
Maintenance Group	44.00
Mirrors, outside color-keyed remote control	36.00
Molding, rocker panel	14.00
Molding, vinyl insert bodyside	50.00
Paint, glamour	41.00
Pin stripes	14.00
Power front disc brakes	45.00
Power rack and pinion steering	107.00
Protection Group, Mach 1	41.00
All others	47.00
Radio, AM	61.00
Radio, AM/FM monaural	124.00
Radio, AM/FM stereo	222.00
Radio with tape player, AM/FM stereo	346.00
Rallye Package (requires 2.8 V-6):
Mach 1	150.00
3dr 2+2	200.00
All others	244.00

Option	Price
Rear quarter window, flipper (3dr only)	29.00
Roof, vinyl	83.00
Seat, fold-down rear (std. 3dr)	61.00
Steering wheel, leather-wrapped	30.00
Sunroof, manually operated (2dr only)	149.00
Suspension, competition	37.00
Trim, luggage compartment	28.00
Trim, Picardy velour cloth (Ghia)	62.00
Trim rings (w/styled steel wheels)	32.00
Wheels, four forged aluminum:
Mach 1	71.00
Models w/Rallye package	71.00
3dr 2+2 models w/Accent Group	71.00
3dr 2+2 or hardtops with Accent Group	103.00
Ghia	103.00
Hardtop	147.00
Wheels, four styled steel (std. 3dr, models with Rallye Package, and base 2dr with Accent Group)
Ghia	N/C
Hardtop	44.00
Models having (5) BR78xl3 BSW steel-belted radial tires, extra charge for five:
BR78xl3 steel-belted radial WSW	30.00
BR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial B/WL	59.00
CR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial B/WL	77.00
CR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial WSW	65.00
Credit for five:
B78xl3 BSW	(84.00)
B78xl3 WSW	(54.00)
Models having (5) BR78xl3 WSW steel-belted radial tires, extra charge for five:
BR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial B/WL	29.00
CR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial B/WL	47.00
CR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial WSW	34.00
Models having (5) BR70xl3 B/WL Wide Oval steel-belted radial tires, extra charge for five:
CR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial B/WL	17.00
CR70xl3 Wide Oval steel-belted radial WSW	5.00

Paint colors are for reference purposes only. Due to the constraints of browsers, the examples shown here may vary from the original car paint color.
Silver Metallic 1G	Bright Red 2B	Medium Red 2M	Light Blue 3B	Bright Blue Metallic 3E	Light Grabber Blue 3N
Bright Green Gold Metallic 4B	Medium Ivy Bronze Metallic 4T	Dark Yellow Green Metallic 4V	Medium Lime Yellow 4W	Dark Ginger Metallic 5J	Medium Chestnut Metallic 5M
Saddle Bronze Metallic 5T	Tan Metallic 5U	Medium Goldenrod 6C	White Decor 9C


	6	5	4	3	2	1
1974 Mustang II
Four Cylinder
2-dr Hardtop Coupe	300	600	950	1900	3200	4600
3-dr 2+2	300	650	1100	2100	3600	5100
2-dr Ghia	300	650	1000	2000	3500	4900
Six Cylinder
2-dr Hardtop Coupe	300	650	1000	2000	3500	4900
3-dr 2+2	300	650	1100	2200	3800	5400
2-dr Ghia	300	650	1100	2100	3600	5100
3-dr Mach 1	300	700	1200	2400	4100	5900

Trim patterns are for reference purposes only.
Due to the constraints of browsers, the examples shown here may vary from the original manufacturer’s specifications.

White Vinyl

Std w/Black — AV
Std w/Blue — AQ
Std w/Tan — AM
Std w/Red — AN
Std w/Avocado — A6
Lux w/Black — BV
Lux w/Blue — BQ
Lux w/Tan — BM
Lux w/Red — BN
Lux w/Avocado — B6

Black Vinyl

Standard — AA
Luxury — BA

Medium Blue Vinyl

Standard — AB

Light Avocado Vinyl

Standard — AG

Light Tan Vinyl

Standard — AU

Black Vinyl with
Vermillion Strap

Luxury — EA

Medium Blue Vinyl

Luxury — BB

Red Vinyl

Luxury — BD

Light Avocado Vinyl

Luxury — BG

Light Silver Vinyl

Luxury — BP

Light Tan Vinyl

Luxury — BU

Black – Cloth and Vinyl

Standard — DA

Medium Blue – Cloth and Vinyl

Standard — DB

Dark Red – Cloth and Vinyl

Standard — DD

Light Avocado – Cloth and Vinyl

Standard — DG

Light Tan – Cloth and Vinyl

Standard — DU

Medium Blue – Cloth and Vinyl

Luxury — CB

Dark Red – Cloth and Vinyl

Luxury — CD

Light Avocado – Cloth and Vinyl

Luxury — CG

Light Tan – Cloth and Vinyl

Luxury — CU

The most changed car in the auto industry for 1974 is Mustang II, a small, sporty and luxurious car that Ford expects to be the forerunner of a new class.
          Mustang II is 19 inches shorter than the 1973 Mustang and seven inches shorter than the original Mustang introduced in April, 1964.
          Standard mechanical features and luxury appointments exceed those of any other domestic small car ever built by Ford. The car is engineered to provide outstanding maneuverability as well as big-car riding comfort.
          “Mustang appears to be the right car at the right time,” said Bennett E. Bidwell, Ford vice president and Ford Division general manager. “Americans increasingly want the functional advantages of a small car but they don’t want to sacrifice the comfort and luxury of a big car. Mustang II has them all.
          “Fuel economy also is of growing concern to the public and the four-cylinder engine in Mustang II will deliver about 20 miles per gallon in normal city and suburban driving.”
          Mustang II will be available in two body sytles and four models. There is a two-door “notchback” with a traditional roofline reminiscent of the original Mustang, and a three-door “hatchback” with a youthful sloping roofline wit the third door in the rear. The two-door notchback is available in a base four-seater model and a super-luxury four-seat Ghia model named after Ford’s design studio in Italy. Three-door hatchback models are a 2 + 2 and, a Mach I.
          Standard engine for Mustang II is Ford’s new 2.3-liter (140-cubic-inch) four-cylinder overhead-cam powerplant – the first metric engine ever built in the United States. Optional is the 2.8-liter (171-cubic-inch) V-6 engine built by Ford of Germany. Mustang II will be the only U.S. car to offer V-6 performance in a small car.
          Great attention to detail and quality is evident throughout Mustang II. Front and rear bumpers, which provide protection in barrier five-mph impact tests, are covered with a plastic coating color-matched to the sheet metal. Moldings are slim and lustrous. Paint work is of the highest quality, reflecting the use of an electrostatic process, and the finish coats are one-third thicker than those of ’73 Mustangs to give a deeper color.
          Standard equipment for Mustang II includes front buckets seats which provide exceptional lateral support, cut pile carpeting for the floor and lower door, tachometer and full instrumentation, simulated burled walnut accents, European armrests and door pulls, and full-width headrests. Full wheelcovers also are standard.
          Thera re 45 options including digital clock, sun roof, AM/FM multiplex radio and stereo tape system, air conditioning, left and right-hand remote control mirrors, and steel-belted radial-ply tires.
          A unique sub-frame cradles the engine and transmission and anchors the front suspension of Mustang II and is chiefly responsible for the big-car ride and for helping to isolate noise, vibration and harshness from the passenger compartment. This is the first use by Ford of a sub-frame with a unitized body.
          Rack-and-pinion steerign, preferred by sports car drivers for its precision, is standard, and power assist is optional. Brakes are disc front and drum rear with power assist optional.
          A new front seat occupant restraint/starter interlock system will be on all models to provide greater driver and passenger protection.