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ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Story by Teresa T. Vickery
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Mention "Mustang II" to a group of hobbyists and you're bound to get a mixed bag of reactions. There are those individuals who dismiss the little cars and then there are those who truly appreciate what these economy-mided ponies represent. And somewhere among those on the positive side of the scale is a Mustang II owner with a great sense of humor.
By and large, the Mustangs produced from 1974 through 1978 remain a mystery. Available during a time when oil embargoes and government safety requirements were looming large, the subcompact cars kept the Mustang name alive. The original long hood/ short deck combination was still evident but the cars were smaller, and lacked the unbridled horsepower that had become a Mustang trademark. A 1978 Ford dealer brochure explains the base 2.3L 2V engine this way - "We like to think of it as our 'perfect blend'. It gives excellent performance. Quick, easy starts. Perky acceleration when you really need it. Yet it still provides very good EPA fuel economy at a time whin it's so essential."
A quick check at most any major Mustang show will reveal a growing interest in Mustang II. Helping to further that interest is the previously mentioned owne with a great sense of humor.
Chuck Guenther of Traverse City, Michigan, proudly owns the 1978 Mustang II Ghia featured here. Owning this car for nine years means that he has witnessed reactions that run the gamut. Oft times it isn't the fact this is a Mustang II that garners a reaction, it's the color - Chamois Glow - which is also one of the reasons Chuck purchased the car.
He acquired his first Mustang, a 1964 1/2 coupe, at the age of 16. Since then he has also owned a 1966, 1968 and 1969 version.
Chuck admits that he is a bit of a fanatic about Mustangs. He sports a running horse tattoo, and has a specially built "Mustang room" in his home. He has over 500 toy cars housed in this room along with pictures, tin signs, limited edition lithographs, Mustang cigarettes, bubble gum, wooden airplanes, key rings, belt buckles, watches, videos, trading cards, promotional brochures, and Avon bottles. "Some have called my hobby an obsession. That's probably a fair statement." But his obsession doesn't end there.
Chuck is the principal of a school for students with severe behavior and emotional problems. The school has adopted the Mustang as its mascot and has a running horse on the sign at the facility entrance and also in the center circle of the gym floor. The school newspaper is the "Mustang Chronicles" and the school store is the Mustang Market. Chuck even went so far as to have a running horse installed in the grill of the F250 school truck!
So it comes as no surprise that he gets a twinkle in his eyes when asked about the Mustang II.
Back in 1992 during an interview for a newspaper, Chuck referred to his car as the missing link, signifying that odd period of time that ties old and new performance together. The article headline read "Principal Enjoys Showing his Missing Link Car". Realizing that he had coined the perfect phrase for the era, Chuck established an unofficial "Missing Link Club".
The Chamois Glow Ghia shown here was built at the San Jose Assembly Plant and retains all California emissions equipment. It is powered by a 2.8L 2V V6 coupled with the SelectShift automatic transmission. In addition to the usual Ghia goodies, such as opera windows, half-vinyl roof, etc., this version also features the Ghia Sports Group. Equipment here includes half-vinyl roof in Black Odense grain, black vinyl insert bodyside moldings, full-length bodyside accent stripes, blackout grill, and four cast aluminum wheels with Chamois-painted spokes (shod with Goodyear raised white letter tires in this instance.) Special interior appointments include black engine-turned instrument panel applique, door trim appliques, leather-wrapped steering Sport Steering Wheel, bright shift lever knob, Ghia seat trim in Chamois vinyl, center console with tray, and black parking brake handle.
Additional creature comforts are turn signal mounted windshield wiper/washer, AM/FM 8-track radio, and air conditioning.
Routinely shown in Street Driven Concours, the notchback is no stranger to awards, odd comments, and inquisitive minds.
Acceptance into Chuck's "Missing Link Club" is not easy, One has to show an appreciation and understanding for the Mustang IIs (ownership, however, is not required.) Plus the applicant must be quick of wit and willing to take a little needling every now and then. But the most important requirement is to enjoy the Mustang hobby and all the great people who share a love for America's favorite pony car.
At a time when the 1974-78 Mustangs are beginning to gain acceptance in the enthusiast world, Chuck's notion of being on the outside looking in just might be short lived.
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