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Missing Link
The 1977 Mustang Cobra II - Understanding the Theory of Evolution
Author unknown
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Put everything in perspective, be honest with yourself, and try to remember what we were all feeling in the 1970s. Seems few of us like to remember the 1970s for what they were - a decade of struggle for Americans trying to find themselves. Heavy, huh? Deep, too! Not only was a nation of people trying to find itself, Detroit and Washington were trying to find each other. Seems Washington had this idea for safer, more fuel efficient, cleaner burning automobiles, and Detroit wasn't working fast enough to achieve the goal. So Detroit toiled day and night, focusing on safety, fuel efficiency, and cleaner emissions - with little time for much else.
If you want to understand the car Detroit was building in the 1970s, look no further than pressure from Washington and the insurance companies. Each wanted something from Detroit, who nearly collapsed under the load of heavy demands. What's more, the buying public, brainwashed by all the psycho-babble from Washington, safety advocates, and the media, was insisting Detroit follow suit and meet these demands as quickly as possible. All things considered, Detroit, in particular - Dearborn - shaped and honed the best Mustang possible for the era.
Joseph Intermor of New York City liked what he saw in 1976-77. He ordered this striking Black 1977 Cobra II, drove it daily through the early 1980s when he decided to preserve what he had. Imagine that - such dedication for the breed Mustangers like to bash most. Maybe this logic isn't so bad, folks, because it preserves a segment of Mustang history that might have otherwise been lost.
Look at this black and gold deuce and tell us you couldn't have a little fun with it. Within this Cobra II beats the heart of a 1965 Mustang - or a 1985 Mustang GT - or a 1994 GT convertible. It's Windsor powered - with 302 cubic-inches - 5.0 liters - volumes of air and fuel which generate cubic power the American way - with a V-8. This same spirit lived in 1977 when Joseph walked into his local Ford dealer to saddle up. In 1977 - this was a Mustang - and the name was secondary because we had nothing newerr to measure it against. Seated behind the wheel in a bucket seat far more comfortable than that in your '65 GT convertible, twist the ignition key. The 302 sports a throaty sound on a par with the early 289 two- and four-barrel V-8s. Horsepower is down, but not by much. Grab a shifter - a four speed - and aim this filly for the freeway.
Performance for 1977 was good behind the wheel of the Cobra II. Better suspension, radial tire technology, and a revised steering package (rack and pinion), make this a better handling Mustang than the '65 GT parked in the garage. Noise levels within the cabin are down from 1965 too. This is all a part of the evolution that is building a better Mustang in 1994. Ford downsized and refined. Destination - Fox-4.
Joseph halted the odometer trek of daily use when 80,000 miles began looming on the horizon. He detailed and restored for an authentic look, however, he's never had to repaint. Look closely, that's the original factory finish, blemishes and all, applied by Dearborn. Check it out. Bet you never dreamed the theory of evolution could be this exciting!
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