Fifth Generation Pony History
The fifth generation Mustang came out in 1974. It was known as the Mustang II. These models were a much smaller car than its predecessor. The fifth generation sold well, with sales of more than 400,000 units the first year. The fifth generation car featured innovations such as rack-in-pinion steering and a separate engine sub-frame that greatly decreased noise, vibration, and harshness. The Arab Oil Embargo, skyrocketing insurance rates, and United States emissions and safety standards destroyed the straight-line performance of virtually every car of the period. The fifth generation earned Ford Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year honors and actually returned the car to more than a semblance of its 1964 predecessor in size, shape and overall styling. The main competitors of the fifth generation were the Toyota Celica and the Datson 280Z. The fifth generation was available as a coupe or three-door hatchback. The fifth generation car's base engine was a 140 cu in, the first fully metric engine built in the U.S. for installation in an American car. A 171 cu in. V6 was the sole optional engine in the fifth generation.The fifth generation packages ranged from the base "Hardtop," 2+2 hatchback, a "Ghia" luxury group with vinyl roof, and a top of the line V6-powered
The fifth generation brought the Mach 1. The popular V8 option would disappear for the first and only time in 1974. The fifth generation cars lost their pillarless body style; all models now had fixed rear windows and a chrome covered "B" pillar that resembled a hardtop, but in fact was a coupe.
1975 the fifth generation would bring the return of the 302 cu in V8 option. To make the V8 option fit the fifth generation, changes were made to the front fenders, engine bay, and header panel, and the engine was limited to a two-barrel carburetor and "net" 140 hp. The cars 302 cu in engine became Ford's first officially designated metric V8 know as the "5.0 L" even though its capacity was 4.94 L. Other than the optional V8 engine, the car underwent minor changes in 1975.
To help boost sales and excitement about the fifth generation car, other appearance and performance options were added in 1976. The fifth generation "Stallion" appearance group featured styled wheels and blacked-out grille, bumpers and body moldings. Ford also introduced the "Cobra II" package in 1976, with a simulated hood scoop, front and rear spoilers, quarter window louvers and numerous accent stripes and snake emblems. All engines were available on the Cobra II. Through 1977 and 1978, several styling changes and color options were added to the Cobra II. In 1978, the "King Cobra" became available. This was a limited edition version with 4,313 units produced. It featured a deep air-dam and a Pontiac Trans-Am style cobra hood decal. The King Cobra was available only with the V8 to help bolster the car's performance image.
If you would like to learn more about more than just the fifth generation pony, check out the rest our history articles on mustangtopia.com.
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