If you’ve been following the Mustang collector car market, then you know the 1974-78 Mustang II has enjoyed a resurgence over the past 10 years or so. Perhaps not coincidentally, interest in – and values for – these second-generation Mustangs have risen each year since Ford Performance had supported the first-ever Mustang II national reunion back in 2016. Indeed, the ninth annual MUSTANG II reunion, this to commemorate the car’s 50th anniversary, was just held at Ford World Headquarters during the massive Mustang Memories and All-Ford Show hosted by the Mustang Owners Club of SouthEastern Michigan (MOCSEM). We first spotted Mark Oliver’s beautiful blue 1978 Mustang II 2-door Hardtop at this year’s Carlisle Ford Nationals, and asked him for details:

“Hi, Ford Performance! My name is Mark Oliver. Thank you for reaching out and asking to have my 1978 Mustang II Hardtop featured in your Ford Fan Spotlight. This car 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 redyed 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. Enjoy the photos!”

Here’s How YOU Can Get In The Spotlight: For some 20 years now, one of the most popular features on FordPerformance.com and in our weekly Fast News e-newsletter continues to be "Ford Fan Spotlight," where readers can send in their own reasons why they're fans of Ford Motor Company and its vehicles. You know who they are: Ford "superfans;" grassroots Ford racers; unique Ford vehicle owners; loyal Ford enthusiasts; notable Ford club people; special Ford families; and/or any avid supporter of Ford, Ford vehicles, Ford motorsports or Ford Performance who deserves a little bit of special recognition.

All you need to do to get you, your car or candidate considered is to send in a brief description (200-500 words or less) and a few photos (in .jpeg format, preferably around 1 mb in size) with the owner’s full name and hometown, please. Just tell us about the vehicle(s) and why you think Ford Performance should feature it (them) in the "Ford Fan Spotlight" for an upcoming installment of Fast News as well as for posting on FordPerformance.com. Then email it to: ClubHub@Ford.com with your contact info. Your submission allows us the rights to use your words and images (along with any edits) for editorial purposes; we’ll choose one submission in random order to post online. We hope to see YOU and your Ford in our Spotlight soon!