1976 Mustang II Ghia: A Family Legacy Passed Down to Jade
Every Mustang has a story. Some are built around performance, others around style. This one is about family—about a car passed down through generations, and a Mustang that has been part of its owner’s life since childhood.
Growing Up Around American Cars
In the 1990s, Bruno, Jade’s father, was a car salesman with a deep passion for automotive mechanics. Born in 1993, Jade was introduced to that world almost from day one. From a very young age, she grew up surrounded by classic cars—especially American cars.
She followed her father to car meets and gatherings, discovering a world that was still largely male at the time. Back then, she didn’t know it yet, but one day she would be driving a 1976 Mustang II Ghia—the very car that had always been part of her childhood.
A Passion Passed Down
Because Bruno handled most of the maintenance and repairs himself, Jade quickly became curious about how cars worked. Even the nickname she uses today for her car has its roots in childhood. She calls it her “Tang”, simply because, as a little girl, she couldn’t pronounce “Mustang.”
When her father pointed at the car and asked, “What’s that?”, her answer was always the same: “Tang Tang.”
As she grew older, her path felt obvious. Jade chose studies related to mechanics and now works as a sales advisor in the automotive industry. As she puts it herself, she’s “all in” when it comes to US cars—she’s had it “in her blood” since she was a child.
And it all leads back to this 1976 Mustang II Ghia.
A Mustang Bought Through a Pontiac Club
In 1991, Bruno was a regular at car gatherings. That’s where he met the previous owner of the Mustang—ironically, through a Pontiac club. The two enthusiasts quickly became friends.
Looking for an American car, Bruno immediately fell for the Mustang. The rare blue color, its clean condition inside and out, and a complete documentation file sealed the deal. At the time, the car was only 15 years old.
This was a second-generation Mustang (1974–1978), not a first-gen model—a generation often debated among enthusiasts. But for Bruno, there was no hesitation.
A Thorough Pre-Purchase Inspection
Before buying the car, Bruno had it professionally inspected to assess its true market value. The report showed a Mustang in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition, with no corrosion on the underbody.
Several upgrades had already been done, including a new exhaust system in 1987, followed by a transmission and muffler replacement in 1990. The inspection also listed factory options such as a front spoiler, rear luggage rack, alloy wheels, and etched windows with the registration number.
At the time, the Mustang was valued at 62,000 French francs.
A Carefully Documented History
Even though the car was already in good shape, Bruno maintained it with great care. Every repair, every upgrade, every expense was recorded in a detailed logbook—first covering the previous owner’s work, then his own.
That documentation is priceless to Jade today. It allows her to fully understand the car’s past and continue the story.
Thanks to those records, she knows, for example, that the car received its current paint job in February 1991, at José Martinez’s shop in Châteauroux, for 7,000 francs.
Keeping the Mustang Company
In 2000, while many were focused on the new millennium, Bruno decided to add another American car to the garage—a 1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, imported from New York.
Jade, who was seven at the time, had no doubts about her favorite.
“The Mustang has always been part of my life,” she says.
Taking Care of a Mustang II
Over the years, Bruno handled most of the work himself: routine maintenance, engine refresh, a new carburetor, even bodywork. There were challenges along the way, but nothing he couldn’t overcome.
Jade Takes the Wheel
In 2014, Bruno faced serious health issues, and the Mustang remained parked for two years. It didn’t move, sitting quietly in the garage.
In 2016, Jade officially took ownership of the car—a true family legacy.
To bring it back on the road, she performed a full check-up: a steering rack leak, worn tires, new spark plugs, ignition wires, filters, battery, solenoid, and a complete fluid service.
Although one of Bruno’s friends—himself a former 1965 Mustang owner—helped along the way, Jade relied heavily on what her father had taught her.
He always took the time to explain everything, step by step.
Preserving the Legacy
Jade is clear about one thing: the Mustang will remain original. No permanent modifications.
That said, she’s open to subtle, reversible touches—like period-style Mustang decals. The car already features a Cobra II front spoiler, adding a slightly sportier look.
Her goal is simple: keep the car for life, honor its history, and continue attending car gatherings—just as she did as a child, standing next to her father.
