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Victim of Circumstance
If Ford could've built this Mustang II, history would be kinder to the '74-'78 generation.
by Eric English
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Writing a story about Gary Coe's '76 Mustang II gets the mind thinking about why these cars have languished in the shadows of our hobby for so long. The biggest knock would have to be a tryly anemic engine lineup - from 88hp four-cylinders to 139hp 302s, which fortunately has little relevence in the world of restomods. Why don't more enthusiasts try their hand at leading these little steads into the 21st century? We don't have the answer, but Coe's effort proves there's plenty to appreciate in this long-ignored child of the '70s.
Coe's connection with Mustang IIs goes back to 1978, when he built and raced a high-flyin' wheelstander for NHRA Pro Stock ranks. While the '76 you see here is a completely different animal, the nostalgic connection remains strong. Coe's fun these days revolves around purely street-oriented Fords. The II was acquired for a song at a local impound yard and, as you can clearly see, was treated to a thorough modernization.
In stipe of being abandoned by its former owner, this hatchback had quite a bit going for it in the way of an original 302/four-speed combination, Cobra II appearance package, and a solid body and interior. The biggest issue was a cheesy aftermarket sunroof which disappeared once Coe's son Daryl applied a top skin from a donor car - along with a new headliner. Once the younger Coe smoothed and prepped the rest of the body, Dennis Belanger brought it back to life with DuPont Centari acrylic enamel in the original hue. The signature Cobra II twin stripes were also applied via the spray gun, followed by a final coat of clear. Coe avoided reapplying the original side stripes, snake decals, and quarter-window louvers, opting instead for an ultra-clean look that's enchanced by shaved door handles and a Honda gas-filler door.
It seems during the Mustang II build, Coe was orchestrating yet another project through Saleen Performance. He'd selected a '94 Mustang GT convertible from a nearby Ford dealer, who shipped it directly to Saleen for conversion into a Vortech-blown S351. Somewhere along the line, Coe realized the take-off parts would be great fodder for the '76, so a deal was struck with Saleen for the brand new 215hp 5.0L, T5 tranny, wheels, and tires.
Installing the modern powertrain was relatively straightforward with the only notable exceptions being some massaging of the transmission-tunnel sheetmetal to fit the larger '94 bellhousing, along with extra exhaust-port flanges that enable Hooker long-tubes to clear the same.
Supporting cast members include a Currie Enterprises 9-inch rear, filled with 4.11 gears, Traction-Lok differential, and 31-spline axles. Braking is accomplished via 11-inch front discs and GM calipers from Parr Automotive, all fitted to Fat Man Fabrications drop spindles. Out back, there are 11-inch drums, while the ride height is leveled via 2-inch lowering blocks. The aluminum '94 GT wheels are optional 17-inchers, providing a "plus-4" step-up form the diminutive 13-inch originals. Shod with ZR-rated Goodyear rubber, they help illustrate the major changes in rolling stock that's taken place in the last 20 years. While the 17x8-inch dimensions were too small for Saleens purposes, they're positively monstrous by 1976 standards.
Looking at Coe's finished project, it's natural to ponder how the course of history might have changed had Ford graced the '74-'78 generation with fuel injection, headers, roller cams, and some of the other performance-friendly pieces that hit production over the following decade. Throw in a five-speed transmission, Limited Slips, and good-sized rubber, and the Mustang Ii might even enjoy the same rabid following that surrounds the '79-'93s and their successors. What's certain is that the II was a visctim of a time when automakers hadn't figured out that respectable performance, fuel economy, and clean air could mutually coexist. Too bad, because Gary Coe's interpretation of "what might have been" proves it would've been a terrific package.
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