02-01-2010, 09:00 AM
Quote:Dick Stokes has a teddy-bear persona, yet he clearly is all business-a nice guy committed to the art of the deal. He's a sales executive attuned to the belief you don't get what you earn-you get what you negotiate. And this '76 Mustang II Mach 1 hatchback is all about negotiation, proving why it's a better Mustang than the more popular classics.
The Mustang II is the no-respect Pony that enthusiasts like to pick on. But did you know the Mustang II has a lot of penthouse engineering refinements that make it a better car than its '65-'73 ancestors?
Ford set out to build a betterMustang when it developed the '74-'78 Mustang II. Ford President Lee Iacocca wanted to get the Mustang back to its original size, with nice refinements designed to attract new buyers and lure back old ones. So, Ford worked on the wheelbase, the body, cleaner-burning engines, elegance, and something new in the auto industry then-noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
The Details
'76 Mustang II Hatchback
Owner: Dick Stokes, Eugene, OR
Engine
302ci small-block V-8
4.030-inch bore, 3.000-inch stroke
Cast 2M crankshaft
Forged C8OE I-beam connecting rods
Forged 4.030-inch flattop Speed-Pro pistons
Edelbrock Performer 289 dual-plane manifold
Edelbrock 600-cfm 4V carburetor
Ford Duraspark ignition
Ford Racing 8mm ignition wires
Transmission
C4 three-speed automatic
Rearend
8-inch
3.00 gears
Exhaust
Hedman headers
Custom dual exhaust
Suspension
Front: Stock Mustang II, gas shocks
Rear: Stock Mustang II, gas shocks
Brakes
Front:Stock single-piston disc
Rear: Stock drum
Wheels
Front: Custom chrome steel, 14 x 6-inch
Rear: Custom chrome steel, 14 x 6-inch
Tires
Front: Cooper radial GT, 70-series
Rear: Cooper radial GT, 70-series
Interior
Custom upholstery using '04 Mustang GT bucket seats, DVD system with sunvisor-mounted monitors, sound system with a full complement of speakers, Grant GT steering wheel
Exterior
DuPont Abyss Blue Pearl Basecoat/clearcoat, white LeMans stripes, King Cobra body bolt-ons
Information from: http://www.mustangandfords.com/featuredv...index.html