TWO RIVERS, WI – Mustang II Reunion X, like each of its predecessors since 2016, was hosted as a “show within a show,” this time at Two Rivers’ famous Cool City Classic Car Show and Cruise. As in years past, the reunion’s primary sponsors, Ford Performance, The SVT Store and Unleaded Only Publications, provided everything from commemorative window clings, stickers, and wrist bands to pins, apparel and awards. And secondary sponsors, including Maritime Ford and Deprey’s Frosty Tip, assisted with additional financial support. For 2025, this 10th annual Mustang II Reunion celebrated 50 years since the return of the 302 V8 engine to the Ford Mustang after a one-year hiatus.
Yes, the Mustang getting a V8 back was a big deal a half-century ago. And it hasn’t gone without one since. Look at it this way: On March 26, 1989, NBC introduced audiences to Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), a scientist from the future who, upon entering his quantum leap accelerator, began leaping from time to time “striving to put right what once went wrong and hoping each time that his next leap [would] be the leap home.” Though the primetime adventures of Dr. Beckett and his trusty holographic pal, Al, would thrust Quantum Leap through five successful seasons. But it would appear that the duo missed an opportunity to “put right what once went wrong” for Mustang. Luckily, Ford engineers managed to correct their own overcorrection even without Sam, Al, or their A.I. program, “Ziggy.”
You see, in 1969, Bunkie Knudsen approved a larger, heavier Mustang for the 1971 model year. Unfortunately for Knudsen and Ford’s 429 big-block and Boss 351-powered ’71 Mustangs, Senator Gaylord Nelson spearheaded the original Earth Day on April 22, 1970. The movement gained traction and, by the end of that year, President Richard Nixon would establish the Environmental Protection Agency – and sign into law amendments to the Clean Air Act that required a 90-percent reduction in automotive tailpipe emissions by 1975.
Newly re-crowned Ford President Lee Iacocca saw the writing on the wall and promptly ordered an intramural design competition between each of Ford’s design studios to create a new Mustang that “…must be small, with a wheelbase of 96-100 inches.” And that “…must come with a four-speed manual gearbox and a four-cylinder engine.” Of course, when the Arab oil embargo was announced on October 17, 1973 (less than a month after the downsized Mustang II trotted into American showrooms without any provision for a V8 engine), Mr. Iacocca’s demands for a compact, economical pony car proved fortuitous. However, by 1975, as fuel became more readily available – the public once again demanded V8 power for their Mustangs.
Fortunately, Ford engineers had already predicted such a demand and debuted a new (emissions-compliant) version of the Blue Oval’s trusty small-block V8 that could be shoehorned in to replace Mustang’s standard 2.3L four-cylinder and optional 2.8L V6 engines. And so, from June 25-29, 2025, Mustang II enthusiasts converged on Two Rivers, Wisconsin, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the return of Ford’s fabled 302 cubic-inch V8 to Mustang’s options list for model year 1975.
The four-day reunion attracted more than 70 participants to Two Rivers, located along the Lake Michigan shoreline about 45 minutes southeast of Green Bay, with divided among no fewer than 30 second-gen pony cars. In addition to the big citywide Friday night cruise and Saturday car show, activities included tours of the Ariens Co. Museum in nearby Brillion, as well as the Rogers Street Fishing Village and Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Two Rivers and neighboring Manitowoc. Participants also enjoyed ice cream from Deprey’s, pizza at Port Sandy Bay, and breakfast at Manitowoc’s Four Seasons Family Restaurant.
Most notably, specific model-year awards were handed out to YouTube’s “Boomer Technician” Dave Skinner for his 1974 Mach 1; Denise Sundquist for her blue 1975 MPG; Mike and Kristine Campbell for their 1976 Stallion; Paul Davis for his tastefully customized 1977 Cobra II; and Mike and Tina Stiles for their T-roof-equipped 1978 2+2. Additionally, Tom and Sue Malec were awarded for their incredible 2,473-mile 1974 hardtop. Steen Traxler was recognized for his 1-of-1 1978 Mach 1 with it’s unique yellow paint paired with a blue interior. Steve and Angie Caesar (who were previously recognized on stage during Ford’s 2024 Mustang’s big STAMPEDE reveal) were awarded for their beautifully restored King Cobra. And Mike Haug received the “Best Specialty II” award for his delightfully outrageous Monroe Handler. Lastly, UNBRIDLED author (and FordPerformance.com contributing writer) Robert M. Kennedy presented Edwin and Jenny Knutson with the coveted “George Ftikas’ Unbridled Spirit Award” for their extraordinary efforts in spearheading and pulling off such an amazing event.
The balance of the remaining Mustang IIs in attendance varied from unrestored daily drivers to pristine trailer queens, and from purpose-built racers like Grover Cowling’s Tangerine 1/8-mile drag car to Adam Nelson’s latest King Cobra project – that was pushed into place by his fellow enthusiasts since Adam wasn’t going to let minor inconveniences (like not yet having had a chance to finish rebuilding its engine) stop him from attending the reunion! Want to attend next year’s Mustang II Reunion XI? Follow the Official Mustang II National Reunion Group on Facebook and mark your calendar for July 18-19, 2026, at the Mustang Roundup & All Ford Picinic in Bellevue, Washington. We hope “II” see you there!
