Ford Mustang II concept cars

Another sketch combining a slimmer version of the shark nose grille with recessed headlights. The shape of the side mirror has evolved to a shape close to what would come off the assembly line in 1973. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

This sketch takes a more radical approach to the hatchback layout on a shorter wheelbase platform. (Image courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

This model is also built on a larger platform, but its front end provides the first hint of what the production car might look like with the headlights shrouded separately from the grille. (Image courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

This ribbon image shows the dramatic size reduction of the 1973 Mustang, and one of the early proposals for the 1974 model. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

This model takes the Ghia hatchback’s basic profile and adds a forward-leaning “shark nose” grille while retaining recessed headlights. (Source from Ford Motor Company)

In early 1971, it was decided to move to a smaller and lighter platform, but this design proposal was deemed too conservative and formal for a Mustang. (Source from Ford Motor Company)

This model takes the conservative design theme further with an upright grille, four headlamps and none of the fun spirit of the Mustang. (Image courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

In mid-1971, Ford’s Ghia design studio in Italy was asked to prepare two proposals for a fastback and a hardtop. The three-door hatchback veers into a sleeker-looking theme for the Mustang II including faux side scoops, one of the few details that actually survived to production. (Source from Ford Motor Company)

This hardtop proposal further develops the theme of the Ghia hardtop design, and provides a more contemporary interpretation of the original 1965 hardtop. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

The November 1971 model with a nearly identical front end to the 1974 production Mustang II. The slanted rear glass of this hardtop design has finally shifted to a more upright design. (Source from Ford Motor Company)

The main differences between this model and the production Mustang II were the taillights and side scoops, which would eventually lose their strakes. (Source from Ford Motor Company)

The basic profile of the Mustang II hatchback is completed in this tape, although the rear window will be expanded. (Source from Ford Motor Company)

Prior to the public introduction of the 1974 Mustang II, Ford presented a targa-roofed concept called the Mustang Sportiva II. Like the 1963 Mustang II concept, which was built from a modified prototype of the 1965 production model, the Sportiva II is derived from the 1974 pre-production model. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

In the fall of 1973, the all-new Mustang II went on sale in hardtop and hatchback body styles. Initially only available with four-cylinder and V6 engines, the Mustang II arrived just in time for its first big spike in petrol prices, and helped reverse years of declining sales, reaching nearly 300,000 units in its first model year. (Source from Ford Motor Company)