KENNEDY

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

EMESS - 1977 MUSTANG II

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

MAY BE THE BEST-PRESERVED EXAMPLE IN EXISTENCE TODAY.

Despite popular belief, Ford’s open-air Mustang II efforts were not limited solely to ASC’s “T-roof convertibles.” Similarly to how Ford shipped 1965 Mustang Fastbacks to Shelby American to become GT350s and sent 1976 Mustang II hatchbacks to Motortown to become Cobra IIs; Ford began shipping 1977 Mustang II hardtops and Ghias to Emess Coach Builders in Clearwater, Florida, to become Classic II convertibles. Unfortunately, due to the astronomical price of these conversions, just 24 units were produced – making them only marginally more successful than Ford’s upcoming M81s by McLaren. Five years later, Cars and Concepts would take over Mustang convertible production for 1983 (completing final assembly after it was begun at DAP).

If you asked me if I thought I’d be writing an article for STANG Magazine for my car this time last year I would’ve said no. If you asked me if I would be writing it about a different car than the 2005 Roush Mustang I had I would’ve said hell no. I loved that car but acquiring this one reinvigorated my passion for car shows and events!

I met Daniel Ramey at a Beltway Mustang show and won my spot with STANG Magazine in their Carlisle Ford Nationals display. Needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect being that I didn’t know the people attending and was going by myself.

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in

This unrestored original was among the first 10 units produced, is the only one completed in Vista Orange, and sold new at Kayser Ford in Madison, Wisconsin. Having traveled just 8,500 miles since then, this MCA Gold Award winner may be the best-preserved example in existence today. Still utilizing its original hoses, belts, plugs, and air filter; it now resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, has been featured on Performance.Ford.com, the cover of Mustang Times – and belongs to Robert M. Kennedy (author of UNBRIDLED: The Passion, Performance & Politics Behind America’s Favorite Pony Car).