Gary Stair’s 1976 Ford Mustang Cobra II

Jul 3

Jul 3 Gary Stair’s 1976 Ford Mustang Cobra II

1976 Mustangs

“The Ford Mustang has given so many people an enormous car experience. My enthusiasm began in the late 1960's watching cool cars on TV and in the movies. I loved Steve McQueen — one of my favorite actors at the time — hence the movie Bullitt (1968) permanently etched the Mustang on my heart and soul.

“During junior high school and throughout high school, I worked in my father's Internal Medicine office, cleaning the exam rooms and taking out the trash plus running the necessary errands. I wanted to earn enough money to purchase a car for my 17th or 18th birthday. I always remember riding in the late-model 60's Mustangs, and simply felt free! While I could not afford a new car, my parents did see how hard I was working and thought maybe one day, I might be able to get one of those Mustangs.

“Well, fast-forward to the mid-70's and the oil embargo, and everything became more and more expensive. And due to an unexpected family circumstance, it was determined by my parents an additional car would be helpful to take my sister to school and dance recitals, plus allow my mother to run errands. With my dad being a physician in a growing medical practice in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he needed my mom, sister, and myself to manage the household chores and duties. So, I ushered up my money — about $1,000 (several years of saving) — and gave it to my mom. I remember her saying, ‘Do you really want to give this money up for a car?’ and I said, ‘absolutely!’ She told me the next-door neighbor was selling his Camaro, which was nice, but I still wanted a Mustang.

“Little did I know, a patient of my father was the General Manager at Jack Demmer Ford in nearby Wayne, Michigan, so my father inquired about the Mustangs they had on the lot. Apparently, the GM took my father to the off-site lot, and there was the car of my future! A white-with-blue stripes Mustang II will all the bells and whistles: AC, 302 V-8, Automatic, Blue Interior, courtesy lighting package (including map-light), dual mirrors and even a moonroof!

“So, in January of 1976, my father drove the car into our driveway. I was in tears! It was simply magnificent. Of course, there were stipulations on me being able to drive it. I had to keep my grades up, plus have no more than two additional people in the car when I was driving, and I could not drive to school for the remainder of my Junior year. (We did revisit this last stipulation and I was granted school driving privileges during my senior year.)

“I washed and waxed the car almost daily, triple-checked the tire pressures, checked the oil and made sure the windows didn't have a water spot on them. We were inseparable. The Cobra II followed me through my four years of college and many trips back home. In January of 1983, after about 120K miles, we had to part ways as I needed the additional income for moving expenses while I awaited to hear from a recent job interview which provided me with a company car. Looking back, I remember crying as my Cobra II was driven away … I should never have sold her, as she was a dependable friend.

“Several years later, with marriage, two children and company moves, I began to think about getting another Mustang II. I read all the articles stating the Mustang II was the stepchild of the Mustang family and not a "true" Mustang – but this was not the way I felt! I knew it was time to find another Cobra II!

“And sure enough, on June 22, 2008, I found my white-and-blue 1976 Mustang II Cobra II via eBay, located in Sanford, Florida. It could have been a cousin to my original Cobra II. Same engine, AC, interior, accessories – but with forged aluminum wheels (which I always wanted), and no moon roof. This vehicle was a ‘garage find.’ The original owner had it in a Virginia garage for 17 years, untouched but covered. The second owner purchased it and did minor engine and body work, but had his eyes set on a black-and-gold version. It was a win-win. I purchased his white-and-blue Mustang II Cobra II, which gave him enough money to get his black-and-gold version. He called me several years later wanting to know if I would sell mine back to him! I said, ‘No Way!’

“Over the next few years, I had the car repainted, upgraded the engine components, reinforced the suspension, replaced the exhaust (all thanks to JD's Auto Restoration in Huntington Valley, PA), replaced the rims and tires with 15" Ansen Sprint wheels and 215/60R15 BFGoodrich tires. I also performed several interior upgrades: LED instrumentation lighting, stereo system, top dash replaced, map light repaired, and I even installed a James Bond-esque center armrest control panel.

“Exterior touches included a Cobra logo on my rear window louver, a 3D-printed front spoiler support, as well as double poly-coated blue center hub stickers. (These wheel-center ‘snake’ inserts are rarely seen, and only available in black. My original set was blue, which I was told didn't exist. But when I presented a picture of my originals on our Facebook group, everyone was amazed. The blue inserts also appeared on the Charlie’s Angels Mustang II driven by Farrah Fawcett, which is why I call my Mustang II a Charlie’s Angels edition. A good friend of mine has reproduced the blue stickers with the snake logo -- and I usually give them away to other interested Mustang II owners.

“I could go on and on, but hopefully this will be enough for all to enjoy my story about love, loss and love found again! Mine is a true Mustang II love story!”