Mark Oliver’s 1978 Ford Mustang II 2-Door Hardtop

Mark Oliver’s Mustang Story:

“My 1978 Ford Mustang II Hardtop was built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant and purchased new by a lady in the spring of 1978. She was the only owner of the car until she passed away and willed it to her step/adopted brother. He did not have it long before putting it up for sale in 2008 – which is when I bought it.

“For a then 30-year-old car, it was in great shape, likely because it was from North Carolina and not from the Rust Belt. The paint was faded and there was a small surface dent on the hood and front fender. But the car had no rust on the body and the undercarriage was spotless. The biggest issue was that the battery in the car had leaked at some point and corroded a spot through the battery tray and inner fender well – which I had to repair. From sitting so long it also needed a new gas tank and sending unit, so it became a ‘restoration in progress’ being that I was working on some other cars at the time as well.

“When I replaced the heater core, I replaced the carpeting and had the front seats redone, even though only the driver’s seat was showing wear. Mechanically, the car was sound: It only needed a new radiator and tie rods, and the engine was treated to new valve seals. I re-dyed the vinyl top and completely repainted the car to its all-original color, Light Aqua Poly (7Q). It now looks and drives good as new and turns heads wherever it goes.”

https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/fan-spotlight/2024/8/mark-oliver-s-mustang-ii.html