As humans move into the second decade of life, they typically experience some of the most profound physical and emotional changes they will ever undergo. As their friends grow up and their world changes, they must adapt. The same was true for Ford Mustang as it approached its adolescence.
Mustang actually began to experience its adolescent growth spurt fairly early. After a phenomenally successful launch in 1964 with six-cylinder and small-block V8 engines, the original pony car jumped into the increasingly competitive muscle car battles of the late 1960s. Between 1964 and 1973, Mustang grew more than one foot in length and gained nearly 700 pounds to accommodate the big-block V8 engines of the time.
However, by early 1968, some fans of the original pony car were already lamenting its growth. At the May 1968 annual stockholders meeting, Anna Muccioli took the floor to query company executives:
“I have a ’65 Mustang and I don’t like what’s happening. They’re blowing them up. Why can’t you just leave a sports car small? I mean, you keep blowing them up and starting with another little one, blow that one up and start another one. I mean, why don’t you just leave them?”
The combination of such complaints from customers, waning sales of sports and muscle cars in the early 1970s, and the coming of new emissions and safety regulations forced Team Mustang to rethink what the second-generation car would look like. Early designs based on an updated version of the 1971-to-1973 platform were abandoned, and the decision was made to move Mustang to a new, smaller and lighter platform better suited for the coming era of oil embargoes and crash tests.
While Mustang II is admittedly not the favorite member of the family tree for most pony car fans, it was the right car for the time. It was an essential step to keep Mustang alive during a very challenging time for the entire industry and the sporty car segment in particular. Without Mustang II, the line likely would have faced extinction in the 1970s and there would be no 50th anniversary to celebrate
In the fall of 1973, Ford unveiled the all-new 1974 Mustang II.
Another sketch that combines a slimmer version of the shark-nose grille with hidden headlamps. The shape of the side glass has evolved to a shape closer to what would roll off the assembly line in 1973.Early in the Mustang II program, designers looked at retaining the larger 1971-to-1973 platform with a completely new design. This particular proposal was built on the 109-inch wheelbase, but aside from the galloping pony badge on the grille, almost nothing about it says Mustang.This model was also built on the larger platform, but the front end gives the first hint of what the production car would look like with shrouded headlights separated from the grille.By early 1971, the decision was made to shift to a smaller, lighter platform, but this design proposal was deemed too conservative and formal for a Mustang.This model took the conservative design theme even further with an upright grille, quad headlamps and none of the fun spirit of Mustang.In mid-1971, the Ford-owned Ghia design studio in Italy was asked to prepare two proposals for a fastback and a hardtop. This three-door hatchback led the way to a sleeker-looking theme for Mustang II including the molded-in faux side scoops, one of the few details that actually survived for production.This model takes the basic profile of the Ghia hatchback and adds a forward-leaning “shark-nose” grille while retaining hidden headlamps.This hardtop proposal further develops the theme from Ghia’s hardtop design, and provides a more contemporary interpretation of the original 1965 hardtop.This tape drawing shows the dramatic reduction in size from the 1973 Mustang, and one of the early proposals for the 1974 model.The basic profile of the hatchback Mustang II is finalized in this tape drawing, although the rear quarter windows would be expanded.A November 1971 model with a front end almost identical to the production 1974 Mustang II. The sloping rear glass of this hardtop design eventually shifted to a more upright design.The primary differences between this model and the production Mustang II are the taillights and side scoops, which would eventually lose the strakes.Prior to the public introduction of the 1974 Mustang II, Ford displayed a targa-roofed concept called the Mustang Sportiva II. Like the 1963 Mustang II concept, which was built from a modified prototype of the production 1965 model, the Sportiva II was derived from a preproduction 1974 model.
