Guillaume and His 1978 Mustang II Hardtop: A restoration that saved more than just a car
Some restoration stories stay with you longer than others. Guillaume’s 1978 Mustang II Hardtop is one of those stories — and restoring a 1978 Mustang II Hardtop is anything but a common path among classic Mustang enthusiasts. I followed this unlikely rescue almost quietly, update after update, during my first paternity leave. Between short nights and newborn naps, I watched this forgotten Mustang slowly come back to life — a rescue story, a family story, and above all, a very human one.
Restoring a 1978 Mustang II Hardtop: a personal challenge
In 2012, Guillaume — a family man living in Dordogne — made a decision that would change more than just his daily routine. He quit smoking. Instead of saving the money, he chose to redirect it toward something tangible, something that would keep his hands busy, his mind focused, and his motivation alive: a passion car.
The goal was clear. He wanted a car that looked good, wasn’t too expensive to buy or maintain, and could be used for family trips as well as weekend drives. He also needed a project — something to work on, learn from, and slowly improve.
That’s when the Mustang II entered the picture.
Often overlooked, sometimes misunderstood, the Mustang II remains one of the most affordable chapters in Mustang history. Its unique styling, rarely seen on French roads, immediately appealed to Guillaume. Equipped with a four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission, it also fit perfectly within his budget constraints.
And as Guillaume likes to point out with a smile, the car came with features that were still rare in European cars of the era: automatic transmission, power steering, air conditioning. In many ways, it was ahead of its time.
Finding the right one
Guillaume quickly found his car: a 1978 Mustang II Hardtop, finished in Dark Midnight Blue (3A) with a Chamois vinyl interior. It was equipped with the four-cylinder engine and an automatic gearbox — exactly what he was looking for on paper.
The purchase wasn’t without doubts. His son loved it instantly. His wife… a bit less. Guillaume himself wondered if he was underestimating the amount of work ahead. The blue paint was so tired that he initially thought the car was black. The interior was patched together with oilcloth and tape. Still, the decision was made.
Father and son set off to bring the Mustang home.
The road back home
The drive was anything but relaxing.
The car hesitated, struggled, and nearly ran out of fuel. After a refill, they continued — slowly. Uphill sections were taken at barely 60 km/h. On the highway, the Mustang eventually reached 110 km/h. The power steering felt… very power-assisted, to say the least, with a steering wheel that seemed disconnected from reality.
Guillaume was fully focused. On the road. On the gauges. And on his son sitting next to him.
At one point, his son asked why he wasn’t smiling more.
Then they noticed something else: blue exhaust smoke was entering the cabin through the air conditioning vents. Windows down, nerves tight, they pressed on. And eventually, they made it home.
Only once the engine was shut off did Guillaume fully realize what he had done.
He hadn’t just bought a car.
He had bought a challenge.
Restoring a 1978 Mustang II Hardtop: learning everything from scratch
Once the Mustang was home, reality set in. Guillaume had no real experience in mechanics, electricity, or bodywork. Faced with the scope of the project, he made a simple decision: he would learn.
Mechanical work
The first issues were mechanical. Poor ignition timing, leaks, worn belts, aging hoses. Nothing dramatic individually, but enough to test patience and confidence.
The carburetor was rebuilt, then replaced with a Weber 38/38 400 CFM. The EGR valve and original emissions system were removed. The ignition system was refreshed with a new distributor cap, spark plugs, and wires.
The exhaust, however, had to go. A Renault 21 exhaust system had no place under a Mustang. After comparing several options — Cherry Bombs, Dynomax, Flowmaster — Guillaume chose Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers with a 2-inch exhaust line. Due to technical constraints, the exhaust exit was positioned on the side. The original cast iron manifold was replaced with a Hedman 4-2-1 header.
Eventually, Guillaume went one step further: the engine was replaced entirely with a remanufactured unit sourced directly from the United States. The installation wasn’t without issues, but after cleaning the engine bay and surrounding components, the new engine found its place. Front suspension bushings and the power steering rack were also replaced.
Bodywork: doing it himself
In late 2012, Guillaume decided to tackle the bodywork while keeping the original blue color for administrative reasons. Early encounters with local body shops were discouraging. One tore into a fender claiming the chassis was rotten. Another quoted a 3–4 year project with a €10,000 budget.
So Guillaume chose a different path. He chose the path of restoring his 1978 Mustang II Hardtop.
He started by restoring a set of Ansen Sprint aluminum wheels found online. That moment marked the true beginning of the exterior restoration. A hood scoop was added to help the engine breathe.
By October, the real work began. New fender, front bumper repairs, endless sanding, filler, sanding again. Exhausting, but rewarding. In February 2014, primer went on — followed, of course, by more sanding.
Then came the final choice: Tangerine Orange, a factory color available in 1978. By April 2014, after one year and eight months of hard work, the Mustang was nearly finished. The 15-inch wheels were fitted with 205/60 R15 tires.
A completely reimagined interior
Inside, everything was replaced.
The original faux wood dashboard panels were swapped for aluminum inserts. A Grant steering wheel replaced the worn factory unit — a subtle nod to the Mach 1s of the era. The tired Chamois interior gave way to a black interior with orange and aluminum stitching, perfectly matching the car’s new personality.
Four years later
Four years after completion, the Mustang II has covered over 25,000 kilometers. Fuel consumption averages around 11 liters per 100 km. The four-cylinder Lima engine, rated at 88 horsepower, comfortably reaches 150 km/h.
The Tangerine Orange suits the Mustang II perfectly — so much so it feels like the car was designed for it. It draws smiles everywhere it goes, helped by its unmistakable Seventies look and its unmistakable exhaust note.
Originally nicknamed Nicorette, the Mustang did its job. Guillaume never touched another cigarette. Today, he enjoys long road trips without worry, maintaining his Mustang with care and pride. In 2017, it passed its technical inspection with flying colors — including impressively low emissions that surprised even the inspector.
Some restorations save cars. Others save people. And sometimes, they do both.
