All you Pinto lovers...I think the Mustang II is a very cool car too. I'd love to have a red one with white deck stripes and a red interior. Of course I'd want a 351w transplanted in it, with a 4 speed and an 8" rearend...now THAT would be fun!!!
Maybe this Pinto site could welcome the Mustang II as members also?? You can't beat the light weight and coolness of both the Pinto & the M II.
Any thoughts on this? Agree / disagree
While I love the Mustang II and it's one of my dream cars, I don't see merging the mustang II club and the Pinto club together as something to do with fordpinto.com quite yet. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now I just can't see it happening.
We do openly welcome mustang II owners and fans here, as we do with any other classic or non classic car enthusiast/owner/fan.
there is a link to mustangII.org in the side bar
There is a garage on route 743 on the way to Hershey,Pa. Shelby's Garage I think it is, anyway they always have an interesting Ford or two there yesterday they had a tricked out Mustang II there that was awesome to say the least. I do not think there are a lot of MII's around anymore like that one.
At one point I know the MII site was welcoming Pinto owners, as the same with this site with MII & other car owners, but am not sure how welcoming the members on that site were. Who knows, it's pretty much the same car anyways.
Well, I for one welcome Mustang II lovers... I am one! :welcome: :welcome: :welcome:
The funny thing is, Pinto Peeps (including yours truly) have used Mustang II components on their Pintos, from armrests and center consoles to rear ends and clutch cables and beyond. These two models are essentially from the same era, and sadly were also both loathed at times- the Mustang II by so-called "Mustang Purists" and the Pinto by the Nader Nation.
Me, I would sell a kidney to have that '76 teal green Mustang II Ghia with the V8 that I lost my heart to in 1995. She was SWEET! Damn minimum wage job and getting paid on the 10th of each month! >:( She was sold a couple days before I could bring in the down payment. >:( >:( >:(
Robert Tinklepaugh might have your dream red MII... get ahold of him. He wants a Cruising Wagon. ;D
Cool! Thanks for your thoughts, guys.....it's a fun topic for discussion anyway.
Maybe I could trade my wagon for the M II??? Naaaa...ha ha not yet anyway...I'll find a sweet M II one of these days, and then I'll have them both!!
Take care
My dream car that can be reality in the next few years is a late model Mustang II fastback with a 302 and C4 automatic transmission. While I would love a t-top, those are insanely hard to come by. I would get the cobra II kit to put on it and paint it white with the cobra II stripes and decals.
There are mustang IIs on craigslist around here in the northwest more than there are Pintos, equal with fastbacks or ghias, although the ghias with the V8 are more common than fastbacks with the V8.
SSC Enterprises has some great stuff on their site to help with Mustang II restorations as well.
Honestly I would rather have my dream Mustang II than to do a V8 swap in my 78 Pinto Sedan. That way I can always have my memory car and leave the family Pinto alone with the few modifications it has, as well as my Station Wagon when I feel like taking a cruise with the family, and finally my little muscle car that will blow the pants off the "sooped up" Hondas here in Boise. Sorry but an upgrade muffler and ugly paint job does not make your car faster.
As my screen name suggests I am a Mustang II owner. A 74 Ghia and 78 Cobra. It was the love for II's that kickstarted an even greater love for Pintos :)
If I remember correctly I started lurking on this site before I even bought a Pinto because their similarity to the 74, and the fact that many Pinto owners are a little more creative about making a v8 fit. The only answers you seem to find on Mustang sites about v8 swaps are "use factory v8 II this and that". Which some of us can't afford or even find.
Sadly though, some Mustang II owners get upset about having anything to do with a Pinto and would probably see merging the two clubs as an 'insult' while others like me don't mind the "remodeled Pinto" remarks. The same aplies with Maverick owners, some like the Pinto and hate the II and vice-versa.
Fact is all three cars are very much alike and equally as awesome. 8)
I think the thing that bothers most Mustang II owner's is trying to live up to the Mustang name with a car that just didn't quite do it. Don't get me wrong, they were fantastic cars and I like them a lot, but they should have been marketed under a different moniker. The 1980-82 Thunderbirds suffered the same fate (try finding parts for one of those!) as did several other cars of that era. Most everyone here seems to like the Mustang II's and I certainly have no problem with welcoming them with open arms but I would be against a merger of the two clubs. This site was founded for the Ford Pinto and I think it should stay that way. Just my opinion.
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: dga57 on April 29, 2011, 12:53:07 AM
This site was founded for the Ford Pinto and I think it should stay that way. Just my opinion.
I agree Dwayne, They can come & play with those of us that love the Pinto, but I don't think a merger would ever be in order. This site is about the Pinto, as it always has been. Let's keep it that way.
Aaaaw....come on, guys! We bring the Mustang II people in, we introduce them around, we give 'em some cold lemonade and they wake up in an ice filled bathtub in a cheap motel with fresh sutures and their motor mounts and oil pans missing!
Quote from: entropy on April 29, 2011, 06:26:41 PM
Aaaaw....come on, guys! We bring the Mustang II people in, we introduce them around, we give 'em some cold lemonade and they wake up in an ice filled bathtub in a cheap motel with fresh sutures and their motor mounts and oil pans missing!
And their rear ends!! Don't forget their rear ends lol.
This is some really good feedback I didn't know it was going to be such a hot topic! It shows the loyalty of the individual car owner for each make & brand. Variety is the spice of life!! Thanks for the comments....
I like the Pinto for it's uniqueness....Love the Maverick too....Let's face it, I am a big FORD nut! ! !
Take care all, and take care of those Fords!!
It would be kinda cool if there was a common ground mini-forum that was linked to both our sites. Like a "Ask a Mustang II owner" forum for us. And a " humbly ask the clearly superior Pinto gods to splain things to you" section for them.
face it folks, if one of our pinto's would fart, i bet it will smell sorta like a mustang II. we all swapped parts with those cool lil cars. heck my neighbor bought an old rack from my mII for his mudd bogger. like the pinto, the mII will never die........ (just need to be fixed again is all)!! :smile:
This may be sacrilege on a Ford Forum but, I also like the looks of GM's Vega and Monza (and related clones) cars for obvious reasons. Plus they too seem to get the same kind of disrespect from their brand's Muscle car crowd.
One thing we all need to ban together on, and that is to get some decent size 13" tires made for our cars, they seem to be discontinuing all the good sizes.
i like the mustang II the is a junkyard in my town that prolly has between two and three hundred of them some are stacked on top of each other.. :(
Dave, sorry to hear about all of those MII's just sitting there...wasting away...oh well, time & money...
I agree with 2.3stangii....V8 Vegas are really cool....anyone who disrespects small cars just doesn't get it...
It really hurts the sport/hobby when I hear ALL of the trash talk at car shows...Really turns me off...I say if you don't like someone's car, just keep it to yourself...
some cars are beautiful because of all of the cash spent on them, and others are just doing the best they can with what they have...at least the budget guys are trying to particiapte, so I say cut everyone some slack...
I don't hear enough encouragement out there, and a LOT of criticism...it's just a shame...
off the subject.. But got to give the dude in the Nasty sounding Gremlin props for whooping that dude in the crx who was fuckin with me in my stock 79 turns out he has a 401 in it ..thank you american dork car brother..Im a dork also
Quote from: WIV8Pinto on May 09, 2011, 08:33:31 PM
Dave, sorry to hear about all of those MII's just sitting there...wastin g away...oh well, time & money...
I agree with 2.3stangii.... V8 Vegas are really cool....anyone who disrespects small cars just doesn't get it...
It really hurts the sport/hobby when I hear ALL of the trash talk at car shows...Really turns me off...I say if you don't like someone's car, just keep it to yourself...
some cars are beautiful because of all of the cash spent on them, and others are just doing the best they can with what they have...at least the budget guys are trying to particiapte, so I say cut everyone some slack...
I don't hear enough encouragement out there, and a LOT of criticism...it's just a shame...
Well said!!! :drunk:
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: 2.3stangii on May 09, 2011, 03:52:32 PM
This may be sacrilege on a Ford Forum but, I also like the looks of GM's Vega and Monza (and related clones) cars for obvious reasons. Plus they too seem to get the same kind of disrespect from their brand's Muscle car crowd.
One thing we all need to ban together on, and that is to get some decent size 13" tires made for our cars, they seem to be discontinuing all the good sizes.
There is a V8 Vega running around here. The cool thing is I saw him at a light this morning while driving my heavily modded V8 Maverick in the opposite direction.
I think Mustang IIs are a case of a car being judged by its motor. The II represents the end of the Muscle car era to most people. In 73 you could get a Mach 1 with a 266 HP 351 Cleveland. In 74 the best you could get was a Mach 1 with a 105 HP 2.8 liter V-6. I think that permanently tainted the Mustang IIs image with the performance minded Mustang crowd. They did however bring Rack & Pinion steering to the Mustang and that was a huge advance.
The rack & pinion was a good leap forward...I like the Mustang II because it got back to the basics of what a Mustang was all about in the first place...if you compare the 64 thru 66 Mustang to the II, it really captured the essence of the original. Look how big and long and heavy the Mustang became...It needed a diet, and in a hurry!!
Same with the Thunderbird...wow...I don't agree with Ford's decision to keep the name of the Thunderbird on so many different platforms...I think it is twisted marketing, but it DOES keep the name alive...I love the early Thunderbirds, but what the heck was that in 67? kinda bizarre if you ask me...I even like the rocketship styling of the 61 thru 66...some don't, but I like the styling...I am a mechanical designer by profession, so I look closely at automotive styling...
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Mustang II styling? agree or disagree...
Well, I do like the Mustang II styling... especially the Ghias with the slimmed rear quarter windows. While it looked nothing like the Stangs of the previous years, it did appeal to me. It was more feminine but from '75-'78 it could kick some rear! lol . I did also like the re-designed horse too. It's realistic, which- dumb as it may sound- makes the car that much cooler to me. I would so love to get one of those V8 Ghias or the T-top hatchback. One- or both- are on my bucket list. :)
I agree that the Mustang II took the car right back to its origins. They were probably the closest thing to the first Mustangs that Ford ever produced. I have never owned one, but I do like them. Like you said, the Thunderbird grew from its lithe two-seater roadster status in 1955 to sharing a chassis with the Lincoln Continental Mark IV twenty years later! As far as styling, my all-time favorite T-birds are the 1964-66's, but then I'm more of a luxury car guy than a sports car guy!
Dwayne :smile:
I like them too. I have to say I made a mistake when I passed on buying a 78 King Cobra that was for sale here a few years ago. Body was strait it had a 4-Speed and ran fine, and it was primer gray waiting for paint. Guy wanted $3000.
I'd like you guys to fill me in on the mustang ghias...I hear a lot of talk about them, and know they are really desirable, but what is different about them?? I need to be filled in...wasn't the ghia designed as a softer vesrion with the female buyer in mind? And when was the German engine put into the Mustang II? Was it short-lived?? I've only seen one ever at a car show, and don't know much about them...
Dwayne, you'ra a luxury car guy? Then the 64-66 t bird personal luxury car is definitely for you...I like the fiberglass tonneau cover that turned the tbird into a "two seater"...What do you think about the newer Thunderbird? I like the styling but some say it is styled after the 53-55 corvette with the rounded styling...some say it looks like it is going backwards...
69gt, too bad you missed out on that King Cobra...I got my doors BLOWN OFF by a King Cobra back in the 80s in my firebird with a big block in it!! ouch!! My fbird was not slow!!
There have been over 600 reads on this thread, so thanks to all for reading and commenting...all comments, criticisms, likes or dislikes are welcome...everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I love the feedback, so feel free to chime in and voice your opinion...
The Ghias were of the style of the world-famous House Of Ghia... in other words they were the more stylish of the Mustang IIs. To me all MII models looked feminine- not a bad thing in my opinion. The Ghias had vinyl roofs and I believe it had better options like wood-tone trim inside, better roadnoise-proofing, automatic transmissions more standard on them... I'd have to look at my dealer brochure for the benefits of the Ghia version. I do know Ford also produced Ghia versions of Granadas/Monarchs, Fox-Body Mustangs/Capris, and (I'm pretty sure) Fairmonts/Zephyrs. I hope I know what I'm talking about... ::)
cool...good info blupinto...I didn't know alot about the ghias...I have some studyin' to do! Thats right about house of ghia that I forgot & should have remembered...you reminded me about ghia styling...I used to subscribe to AUTOMOBILE magazine, which was an awesome publication, because it was all about automotive styling...I'll have to check and see if it is still in publication, but the articles were fantastic for all auto enthusiasts interested in the history of automobile styling....it's probably all out there now on wikipedia....yay internet...thanks for the quick response...
My pleasure. As I mentioned before, I love these cars. Pintos are my first love, but Mustang IIs are a VERY close second. :smile:
I'm a member over at Mustang II.org, Great bunch of people over there, I just found out about this site so I signed up.
Ive been a pinto owner since the 70's and Mustang II owner since the 80's
Here are some of my toys
We are the second owner of this 74, 78000 original miles, we built it to run in NHRA stock eliminator W/SA, we set the national record with it in 2005, It's now retired from stock, and so we put a 4 barrel carb on it, just for bracket racing.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/keithracingthestocker-1.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/IMG_0926.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/nationalrecord2005.jpg)
Next up is the pro bracket V8 car, It's a 74 also, The car was built in 1983 and has been redone many times.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/108-0843_IMG.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/104-0449_IMG.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/108-0814_IMG.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/108-0827_IMG_2.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/108-0839_IMG_2.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/my%20Hotrods/108-0836_IMG.jpg)
The Mustang II,
It was my car, but now it belongs to my son, A very large build thread on this car can be found here.
http://www.mustangiiregistry.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13074 (http://www.mustangiiregistry.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13074)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/burn%20out/IMG_1081.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/burn%20out/IMG_1085.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/burn%20out/IMG_1083.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/burn%20out/IMG_1086.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/burn%20out/IMG_1084.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/ENGINE/IMG_1086.jpg)
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk165/IBRACIN/keiths%20mustang/Drag%20shots/IMAG0130.jpg)
As you can probably tell we are drag racers... :lol:
I really like that Mustang II...I wish I woulda kept my 78 V8 car.
Very cool T HADLEY!! Really nice bracket cars and M II..I love drag racing, and can't wait to get out there this season...I race a Union Grove Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove WI....I can't believe all of the interest and great feedback that the Mustang II question has garnered! It shows the passion for Pintos Mustangs Mavericks and other Fords........RSM, maybe time to find another V8 M II???
T, that first '74 looks just like my '74 Runabout... except mine has less horsepower and less stickers. lol
Quote from: T.HADLEY on May 14, 2011, 12:33:36 AM
I'm a member over at Mustang II.org, Great bunch of people over there, I just found out about this site so I signed up.
You mean Mustangii.net right? ;)
Do I get any cool points for referrals? ;D
Quote from: WIV8Pinto on May 13, 2011, 08:35:59 PM
Dwayne, you'ra a luxury car guy? Then the 64-66 t bird personal luxury car is definitely for you...I like the fiberglass tonneau cover that turned the tbird into a "two seater"...What do you think about the newer Thunderbird? I like the styling but some say it is styled after the 53-55 corvette with the rounded styling...some say it looks like it is going backwards...
Oh yeah, I'm definitely a luxury car guy! Have had Cadillac, Jaguar, and even Rolls-Royce, but my primary love has always been Lincoln. Have owned thirteen of those babies over the years and currently have four in the stable: a '79 Collector's Series Continental, a '79 Mark V, a '95 Mark VIII, and an '08 Town Car. Like I said, the '64-'66 Thunderbirds are my favorites of the entire T-bird run. Prior to that they weren't quite luxurious enough to suit me, later on they were more like Lincoln wannabes. The early '80's models were disgraceful, and the later ones were shapeless. The only Thunderbird I ever owned was a light jade metallic '77 with a dark jade top and interior. It was an okay car but really didn't offer anything I couldn't have gotten in a Ford Gran Torino or Elite. As for the latest Thunderbirds, I know there is a lot of controversy over their appearance, but I generally like them. When the time comes when I no longer need a rear seat, my intention is to replace my '08 Chrysler Sebring convertible with a nice low-mileage '05 Thunderbird 50th Anniversary Edition in cashmere. I love that car!
Dwayne :smile:
Quote from: 2.3stangii on May 14, 2011, 05:17:54 PM
You mean Mustangii.net right? ;)
Do I get any cool points for referrals? ;D
Yes you are correct, that is what I meant... :lol:
Mr. Hadley - read about your car & buy the time I was done the 23 pages my eyes were worn out ! LOL ! Great topic & well worth the read !
Would like to see more pictures of the front engine plate/mounts , if you have more pictures ?
Quote from: Reeves1 on May 15, 2011, 07:01:04 AM
Mr. Hadley - read about your car & buy the time I was done the 23 pages my eyes were worn out ! LOL ! Great topic & well worth the read !
Would like to see more pictures of the front engine plate/mounts , if you have more pictures ?
I'm not sure what you mean? all my cars have standard engine mounts.
Thanks for taking a look at the build, that was a little over a years work.
T.
Must have been the other guy that posted pictures in your topic then.
I saved a link to his pictures as well.
Going to start a Pinto build this year. With the 347 from Ford Racing that I'm looking at, I think with a front mount I'll have more room for headers along the motor sides.
Quote from: Reeves1 on May 15, 2011, 03:32:07 PM
Must have been the other guy that posted pictures in your topic then.
I saved a link to his pictures as well.
Going to start a Pinto build this year. With the 347 from Ford Racing that I'm looking at, I think with a front mount I'll have more room for headers along the motor sides.
Post up lot's of pics I'm very interested to see your project.
T.
Quote from: T.HADLEY on May 15, 2011, 04:37:01 PM
Post up lot's of pics I'm very interested to see your project.
T.
Will do !
By the way, I too am an operator. I have about 25 years on excavator alone. Grew up with my Dad's company. He had mainly D-8s (the old 14-A).
Might be some time before starting the project though. I have to drive down to CA to pick the car up yet. Wanted to go down by now, but things didn't work out that way. Likely the fall now ?
Plus my pass port isn't back yet. What a PITA that is, just to cross into the States !
Where in California?
Quote from: blupinto on May 15, 2011, 11:45:58 PM
Where in California?
Top secret ! :lol:
Car was never advertized.
I just wish I could find a 1975 MII with the 302 somewhere close at a decent price. I have an urge to go racing again, but it wouldn't be as much fun if I couldn't drive it on the street occasionally (Calif emissions is why it has to be a 1975).