The original Soul Survivor post- Has it been over five years already?
On Tuesday, I introduced you to the El Kylemino, my ’87 El Camino. Back in 2014, I introduced you to the first Curbside Classic I purchased, the Soul Survivor. The Survivor is a 1974 Mustang II Mach 1, now equipped with an upgraded Cologne V-6 and Borg Warner T-5 overdrive transmission. In addition to this article, I also wrote an article covering the transmission swap in greater detail, and reported on a trip we made to the Mustang’s Fiftieth Anniversary celebration in Las Vegas.
Last year’s car show- Note the different wheels, indicating a project still in progress…
It’s still with me, and this week I’m providing a brief update on my activities since. Moving forward, I plan to provide you with a series of articles reviewing my various vehicle modifications, starting with more details on the engine swap and continuing up to the latest projects- Like any other project car, there’s always another part to add, enhancement to make, or refinement required.
Could be worse- I was able to drive it home.
To start my update, I should note it’s not always been smooth sailing- Shortly after purchase, I came to a sudden stop in 605 traffic and was hit from behind. For a “car guy” reference, the accident occurred near the former Ford production plant in Pico Rivera, CA. Given the low book value of my car, I was concerned the insurance company would total my recent acquisition, but repairs came in under $3,500, and the Survivor continued to survive.
Fabulous Ford’s Forever is SO big, FIVE Mustang IIs showed up!
Since the repairs, I’ve taken it to a number of weekend shows here in LA, as well as the yearly Fabulous Fords Forever car show on two separate occasions (“the West Coast’s Largest all Ford Show”). Folks always express surprise at seeing a Mustang II, and most of the time I’m the only one in my class.
Another one of my many Roundup pictures
However, I really acquired the Soul Survivor as a yearly excuse to attend the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The Roundup is held every year in June, when the weather in Steamboat Springs is perfect.
The show includes about 400 Mustangs, as shown by this pre-show line up. From this starting point in an overflow parking lot, the cars roll into downtown Steamboat Springs by model year and vehicle class for the actual show.
During this long weekend in the Colorado High Country, I also catch up with friends, enjoy the local scene, and enjoy the food and libations.
But the best part of of the trip is the drive up from Los Angeles. Since Steamboat Springs is isolated from the interstate highway system everything, all roads into town travel through spectacular mountain scenery.
In addition, a panoply of mountain roads offer themselves for scenic touring. This picture shows US Highway 550 in Ridgeway, Colorado, on the North end of the Million Dollar Highway. One of the most spectacular scenic drives in the US, the Soul Survivor and I rolled down it back in 2017 on the way home. Once you pass through that gap, the road begins a dance that surprises and delights any serious driver.
I’ll wrap things up with this picture of the Survivor sitting in line at the Long Beach “Ponies at the Pike” show from 2015 or ’16. Next week, we’ll take that deeper dive into my 2.9 Cologne V-6 swap, and we’ll see where we go from there.
Other Soul Survivor Articles:
When these were middle-aged cars I just barely tolerated them. A couple of friends owned a pair of notchbacks, both 4 cyl/4spd but at the opposite ends of the trim spectrum. And a former GF had a 302/auto. At the time I would not have picked one for myself. Today, however, I can see the attraction and would find one of these fun to preserve. I actually like these better than the early Fox Mustings.
Your post-collision shot is nothing but sadness. Except in my part of the world a picture of that damaged quarter panel would have displayed displaced hunks of Bondo covering the nasty rust underneath. You California folks have it good!
One more thing – if there were a contest for “The Most 70s Color” put out by the Ford Motor Company, this one would win hands down. 🙂
I enjoyed you post, and like your car.
Are those “General Lee”/Shelby rims on the back?
I think I see only four lugs on the back wheel.
When I was 15, I remember a car lot that had one almost identical to yours.
I think it had black stripes and a spoiler, but otherwise the same.
I loved those slot mags and it’s yellow paint.
I really wanted it as my first car. Didn’t happen.
“Are those “General Lee”/Shelby rims on the back?”
Yep- The slotted mags look like the optional Ford mag wheels but were actually 13″ American Racing “Anson” Slots.
I already owned a set of 14″ American Racing “Vector” 4 lug wheels and I’ve mounted them up. Nowadays, most people call them “General Lee” wheels, but they showed up on a lot of different cars when I was a kid.
I’ve made the change for three reasons-
1) While they are period correct, I don’t really like Anson slots.
2) Vector wheels are period correct (this set was originally mounted on a ’75 Toyota Celica, probably as a dealer add-on).
3) The 14″ wheels allow me to mount larger front brake calipers (a topic I’ll cover in a later posting). D/S
https://www.americanracing.com/product/wheels/vn47-vector/?attribute_pa_finish=satin-black-machined
The Vector rims will look great!
I look forward to seeing the upgrades on your Mustang.
These really were pleasant cars. Imperfect of course (ie. nose-heavy handling, excessive front overhang), but generally reliable with a nice-looking interior and exterior. I had a chance to buy one once and wish I did.
Your perception is correct. When the Mustang II was introduced at a media event in my city I remember being very impressed with the quality of the interior and how well put together these cars were.
I did have a chance to briefly drive a Ghia notchback and was pleased with the way it drove. Don’t recall what was under the hood, certainly not an engine that gave any neck snapping performance.
I came very close to buying a basic Mustang hatchback with 4 cylinder and 4-speed manual, but found that a well optioned Vega GT was better value for the money.
The Mustang II gets a lot of (mostly) deserved grief but time has looked kindly on what is usually referred to as a spiffed-up Pinto. The fact is, for the mid-seventies, the Mustang II was appropriate. It did sell quite well, at least initially.
Frankly, when you look at the breakdown of prior generation Mustang sales, most of them were secretary specials with six-cylinder/automatic drivetrains. Ford (i.e., Iacocca) simply turned over what was left of the virtually dead musclecar market to GM’s ponycars. It was a sound strategy for the times.
Love the chin spoiler falling off the car next to yours in one of the round up pics🤣
I think the owner removed it for Cross-country travel, and was in the process of hanging it back on for the show.
Those spoilers were a no-cost option on all Mustang IIs for ’77 and ’78, and regularly lose out to parking stops and curbs…
This Mustang II is a very cool underdog and period piece to own. Kudos to the author for not being afraid to drive it long-distance.
Karen Allen took Jeff Bridges on a long-distance start (Wisconsin to Arizona) to a very long-distance trip in “Starman” (1984). It’s a good road trip / SF movie with this Mustang II Cobra in a starring role. “I watched you very carefully. Red light stop, green light go, yellow light go very fast.”
Back in the 80s a friend had a ‘74 hatchback he swapped a 302 (‘69) into. Quite a job. Had to cut the core support out, then somehow rigged the radiator in to allow for overall length of the V8. Don’t really recall how that compromised structural integrity, but he street raced it regularly. He eventually found a ‘77 hatchback and swapped everything into it, as the ‘75-‘78 were designed for V8s. You’ll notice the ‘74 front cap has a few inches before it meets the leading edge of the hood, while later years only have an inch or so.
That’s some interesting stuff about the difference between the non-V8 1974 and the later V8-capable cars.
It could also go a long way to explaining why the SBC into a Vega was a popular swap, and a V8 into a Pinto was not; essentially, getting a V8 into a Pinto (and a 1974 Mustang II) was a whole lot harder.
I dated a girl in the late 70s whose parents owned Ford and Chevy dealerships. She always had a nice Z/28 (loved that cowl induction). One day she asked if I thought the Cobra was cool. I didn’t. She picked out a nice Corvette instead. Fun times.
But I think the Mustang II aged well.
Love the photos! Glad to hear you still have that Mustang.
That’s a good looking little fastback. My Dad bought my younger brother a Ghia and that thing was like a little Thunderbird, very nicely finished. For a car that was once extremely popular model, I rarely see one on the road in the Bay Area. Your engine swap is a great idea. It’s hard in Calif. to do much with smog era cars. Your ’74 avoids that issue and I’ll bet that fuel injected mill is cleaner than the original V6. Looking forward to your updates.
“Has it been over five years already?” Indeed it has, and sometimes I can’t believe it myself! So much has changed in my life over that time, especially with being able to find a full-time job after graduating from college with an Associate Degree & being trained at a vocational rehabilitation center. I’ve even been able to catch up with some of my old friends & learn all about what they’ve accomplished in that time. I’ve told them about what I’ve done (especially with my vehicles & trailers) and they were quite impressed! And it really IS impressive when you have a limited budget.
Who would’ve thought ANYONE would have significant interest in Mustang IIs today? I’ve been lucky to ever see 1 or 2 in my whole life; one of them may have been a Cobra II based on the styling & scripts.
“Could be worse- I was able to drive it home.” As was the case with my ’96 Aerostar after both of my deer hits. I even made it to work AND back home after the 2nd one! If that isn’t proof of “Built Ford Tough” I don’t know what is!
Dave, I love your ’74 Mach I – the color, everything. My heart broke when I saw the damage, but I’m glad your pony is still “alive” and with us.
I loved the former bone-stock look of your car, but I do like your mods. Nothing looks irreversible. 🙂
I look forward to your next update! You have me wanting a Mustang II all over again. It was because of this piece that I was scouting the classifieds on Google for a nice Mustang II hatchback just yesterday.
“Nothing looks irreversible.”
That’s a goal for all my modifications- I don’t want to cut the structure, and work to keep an original look to the exterior. Unfortunately, good interior parts are VERY hard to find, so I’ve had to fabricate some parts there that don’t maintain originality.
The Mustang II never really appealed to me, but I love to hear about someone taking on an obscure or unloved classic as a project! I think the modifications you’ve made are significant improvements, and am eager to find out what you’re up to next.
Also, the color is great! I’m suddenly craving avocado…