History repeats? - Gas prices

YUP!

I believe that now is the time when the Mustang II will get some real respect. They are the only fuel economic Mustangs that I know to exist! Ford even marketed a "MPG" Mustang II in 1976! There are huge waiting lists for the gasoline/electric hybrids now. The Honda Civic import crowd is becoming more and more popular by the day and Honda even makes a 2.3 litre 4 cylinder roadster with 240 hp! That is the same exact engine that was standard in the II! The irony is that this is one of the most commonly used powerplants bu Honda and other Japanese automakers. 4-cylinders have become commonplace in today's market. They have horsepower that rivals and beats the small block V8's that were omnipresent in the 1960's. The II was a total cultural shock to most consumers in 1974 who just a year before had the Boss 351 package. No V8 option was such a dramatic change for an American "musclecar" that many people to this day still have a low regard for the II. Ford was uncertain of the future in those days. They had to feel their way in the dark while being careful not to trip and fall so to speak. The V8 option in '75 was more of a psycological marketing ploy to get buyers into the showroom. Keeping the Mustang's identity as a V8 powerhouse even though the V8s barely made 140 hp.

I am so happy I have 4 cyl IIs, They are easy to maintain, run smoothly and efficiently while getting good gas milage. They even have good acelleration! I would rather have 4 banger IIs then V8 IIs. The V6 would be the best choice of engine for the II. The V6 Mach 1 with T- tops is my choice as the best Mustang II ever produced!

4-banger turbo is the way to go with gas right now... I'm expecting mine to put my 351W to shame and already got apprx 30mpg on it's first break-in trip. The 351W might as well be in storage since it costs $10 in gas just to warm it up. Even at 1/2 the gas prices, it was already a limited use vehicle due to gas mileage.