Boosted Performance: 1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II
Update 07/28/2024: Falling victim to a non-paying buyer is never pleasant, but when it happens twice, it is almost enough to prompt some enthusiasts to place the whole sale process in the “too-hard” basket. However, that isn’t the case with this seller, because they are trying for the third time to find a new home for this 1977 Ford Mustang II Cobra II. The details remain unchanged, and the BIN figure might prove tempting for those seeking an affordable 1970s classic. We can only hope that with the disappointment experienced so far, they finally experience a slice of well-earned good luck.
07/04/2024: It’s almost hard to fathom how quickly a changing market can wreak havoc on auto sales, and this was especially true from the early to mid-seventies period, particularly on models that were considered muscle or pony cars. High fuel costs, raised emission standards, and through-the-roof insurance premiums were already taking their toll on performance-oriented vehicles, so Ford’s timing couldn’t have been much more spot-on when they introduced the smaller, second-generation Mustang as a 1974 model. Known as the Mustang II, it was nearly 500 pounds lighter than its predecessor and almost 19 inches shorter, and while it didn’t exactly offer blistering acceleration, adding the Cobra II package succeeded in making the car look faster. This 1977 model could stand some work, but it’s got a surprise under the hood and there is no reserve.
The Mustang II was available with either an inline four, a V6, or the 302 cubic-inch V8, with this particular Cobra II originally equipped with the V6. The seller tells us this one sat in a shop for nearly 30 years with the engine blown before he acquired it, and under the hood now is a 302 that’s believed to have come from a 1971 Torino. If that’s correct information, it would be rated at 210 HP in factory configuration, and while it’s said to run strong there’s also a light tremble of some sort. The owner thinks this is being caused by the old spark plug wires, so I’d probably put investing in a new set at the top of my priority list here.
Unfortunately, the Cobra II was more of an appearance package that didn’t really get you anything special in terms of performance over the base Mustang II hatchback. However, the blue stripes do provide a sporty persona over the white finish, with the seller stating that all of the paint here is original other than the front spoiler and rear hatch. The exterior isn’t perfect but is said to look pretty decent when it’s cleaned up, which seems like a reasonable assessment.
The interior consists of a combination of black and white components, which still looks fairly good overall with a cracked dash perhaps being the biggest eyesore inside. Moving farther down, the frame and underside seem to remain solid, and I have to agree with the seller that this one is a decent-looking daily driver. This pony is located in Steger, Illinois, and can be found here on eBay, with a BIN of $6,495.95 OBO. What are your thoughts on this 1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II?
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Comments
No air cleaner,,and Jill Munroe( Farrah Fawcett) YEEEEOOOWW, ahem, anyway, she only drove the car in the 1st season, and Cheryl Ladd, who didn’t have quite the zing, drove it the remainder of the series. I had a friend whose gf had this exact car. She even kind of looked like Jill, hmm, I wonder if that show had any influence on her buying it. I remember, it was a pretty nice car, had all the misgivings of my ex’s V8 Monza, but I always liked the Mustang ll. Certainly much better than that dismal ’88 LX I had, but not as nice as my ’95. While the motor looks nice, the no air cleaner and a nearby oil funnel would make me nervous.
Calm down Howard, just because no air cleaner in pic doesn’t mean they drive it with out one, look at the Flea bay pics and have a cup of coffee..
“.. possibly from the old spark plug wires in which is the only thing I didn’t replace.” By failing to spend $50 and replace the wires, the seller is tipping his hand. Why would’t you replace the wires and eliminate the question? For that matter, why would you replace everything except the plug wires? A smart buyer would either send him a set of plug wires or take a set along.
Sounds like something my old man would have done.
You wouldn’t want to have bought a car or anything mechanical from my old man.
The standard oil and filter changes back in the day were at 3,000 miles. He might change them once every 3,000 years.
Of course, when his cars and equipment ran like crap he’d gripe that gasoline engines were a curse.
“I’d invest in a new set of plug wires “..while I’d invest in a compression check BEFORE I bought the car.
What’s up with the red plastic funnel under the hood……hmmmmmm maybe uses oil on an regular basis?
Since this is basically the same write up from previously write up from cars. Save it and just change change the years and photos lol.
I am not going to pick the car apart, I do agree with Terry and KC! I have owned several Mustangs from what most would call a pile of dog stuff to a concourse classic. I for one love these Mustangs, I had a Tangerine Orange with lower white stripes along the bottom of the doors and around the bumpers. Loved the car! No power , could not get out of a turtles way but a good looking fun car to drive that got mid to high 20’s in gas mileage.
This car is not a bad looking car! I would think that a person could get into a decent driver( not show quality a minus a motor or trans if needed ) for well under $10,000.00. Of course that depends on one person’s imagination and desires.
The plug wires look fairly new. I’m betting the “tremble” is the reason it’s for sale.
The people responsible for these cars should still be in prison for what they did to the Mustang.
I would argue that the people responsible for the design of the 1971 ruined the mustang. Then they tried to create a car that resembled the original with the Mustang II. And then the created quite possibly the worst looking mustang ever with the 1979 four eyed fox.
I would argue that the people responsible for the design of the 1971 ruined the mustang. Then they tried to create a car that resembled the original with the Mustang II. And then the created quite possibly the worst looking mustang ever with the 1979 four eyed fox.
Fortunately all of the cars you don’t care for sold in volumes enough to sustain the marque for sixty years. Maybe those guys knew something all along.
$5200 is what this car cost new in the showroom…I know I tried to buy one when I was 20yrs old and had a pocket full of money after Navy bootcamp, and I wanted me a new car…
SOLD for $10,100.
Say what you want about these things….you’ll never be able to hide those oversized bumpers. Looks like an ant carrying a couple twigs bigger than it is!
Need to have the marti report. Period
Also, why didn’t they have the stripes on the trunk replaced when it was repainted? I would have this thing inspected from top to bottom. Too many question marks.
IMO, this gen has a much nicer interior & styling from the firewall back – than the next fairmont based too tall roof/glass, framed doors & boxy next gen starting in ’79.
The old OEM inline fuel filter may simply have been dirty.
I wonder how this would run with a – gasp – quadrajet found on some torinos.