The 1978 Ford Mustang II saw its last year in 1978 as well as the Cobra II option and the Mach 1. The Mustang II was being phased out and a new Mustang would be introduced that was more stylish and targeted at the youth.
The federal government established the CAFE rules, which stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. The significance of these rules being initiated in 1978 is that every new car sold was required to meet the fuel economy ratings set up by the Environmental Protection Agency. If cars did not meet the EPA standards then very large fines were just waiting to be issued to the offender. The EPA set up requirements in 1978 for 18 mpg. These fuel economy numbers kept climbing until 1985. The impact of these rules was the Ford needed to introduce a new Mustang fast so the last year of the Mustang II was a necessity. The future generation would focus on a vehicle that was more efficient, smaller, lighter, and met the CAFÉ rules.
The last year of the Mustang II had favorable sales. In fact sales were higher than any other year of the Mustang II except for the first year it was introduced. Many Americans were shocked so many Mustang II's were sold in its last year because the general perception of this generation was that it was not really a Mustang at all. However, the Mustang II did have its following and in its last year it did well.
And, considering the 1978 Mustang was the last year for the Mustang II there were very few changes made. The few changes that were made were simply cosmetic changes by Ford in order to try and attract more women to the Mustang II. Perhaps the marketing worked and that accounts for the higher sales in its last year.
1978 Mustang Lineup
Powertrain and Performance
Since 1978 was Mustang IIs last year there were no engine changes made. A 302ci V8 engine could be purchased with a Variable Venturi or a two barrel carburetor. Variable ratio enhanced the vehicle’s power steering. The Rallye package was also available with heavy duty springs, power steering, adjustable shocks, rear stabilizer bar, power brakes, and spoke wheels with Goodrich 70 series TA radial tires.
New options that were available in 1978 included styled steel wheels, two rear seats rather than one long one, and forged aluminum wheels.
Exterior
Not too many changes occurred to the exterior of the final Mustang II, although there were some new options. The Cobra II did see some changes like a stripe in the middle of the car rather than the bottom as well as dual hood stripes that took the place of a previous thick single stripe. COBRA was written in large letters that graced its doors.
The King Cobra was also available in 1978 and its exterior was significantly different than the Cobra II. A front fascia was underneath the front bumper and went along the front bumper and front end all the way to the wheel wells. Here a trim piece was added so that both the front and rear wheels would have the same even appearance. The rear doors sported a logo that read "King Cobra." The hood sported a tribal graphic that was very outrageous and the rest of the vehicle was covered in pin stripes. Only hatchbacks were available with the King Cobra but only as a T top or a hard top.
Exterior colors included aqua glow, tangerine, aqua metallic, silver metallic, black, popular white, bright red, medium chestnut metallic, bright yellow, light chamois, chamois glow, light chamois, dark brown metallic, dark midnight blue, and dark jade metallic. There were also Tu-Tone exterior color offerings. These included white/aqua metallic, bright aqua/metallic white, silver metallic/bright red, bright red/black, silver metallic/black, bright red/white, light chamois/medium chestnut metallic, bright red/white, light aqua metallic/white, bright yellow/black, white/bright red, white/black, and dark jade metallic/white.
Interior
Again, since it was the last year of the Mustang II there were not too many changes to speak of. However, a Fashion Accessory package was available and it was marketed to women. The package offered Fresno cloth inserts on the seats, door panels with map pockets, driver’s side sun visor with lighted mirrors on the back, as well as exterior stripes.
The one interior change that did occur in the 1978 Mustang II was that the rear seat was no longer one long seat. Instead, it was two pieces like two separate seats. Back seat passengers really appreciated this styling.
Interior options included SelectAire air conditioning, deluxe color keyed seatbelts, crystal digital quartz clock, console, electric rear window defroster, folding rear seat, lighted entry system, tinted glass, light group, luxury interior group, AM/FM radio, radio with eight track stereo, four way driver’s seat, leather wrapped steering wheel, luggage compartment light,
Final Thoughts
The last year of the Mustang II ended up being better than all of the other Mustang II years save the very first one. The one thing about the Mustang II, although frequently criticized, is that it helped Ford get through a tough period of time when pony cars were not exactly popular.
Mustang II made it through some tough years and set up Ford for a nice transition into a new generation of Mustangs. Although many individuals that were Mustang fans felt the Mustang II was not a real Mustang, those who owned one really loved it. Today a Mustang II is still popular due to its extra space for larger engines and drag racing.
