THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1978 Ford Mustang II Cobra owned by Peter Piciulo 
 WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING A 1973 oil embargo and tighter federal emission standards put a dent in the American muscle car market, but Ford struggled to keep the spirit alive with a Mustang II sharply diminished in size, horsepower and enthusiast appeal. Still, these cars – built from 1974 to 1978 – were a hit with consumers and are gaining interest on the collector circuit. “Although not considered an era to remember or collect by the current Mustang enthusiast,” Piciulo says, “the 1974, 1975 and 1978 model years have outsold every Mustang since 1980 and are in the top 10 in all Mustang sales.” 
 HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT Since 2008 
 WHERE HE FOUND IT It was advertised online by a Merrick owner. 
 CONDITION “Although the body was rough and did not run,” Piciulo says, “there was no rust to the frame, floors or body. So my friend and I rescued her from the scrap heap on the night of Hurricane Hanna (in 2008).” He performed the mechanical restoration and farmed out the body work and interior to specialists. 
 TIPS FOR OWNERS “If you can’t afford the usual cars that people restore,” he advises, “try looking for a lesser-known model as they are more affordable to purchase.” 
 VALUE Piciulo estimates the value at $11,000. 
 THE BOTTOM LINE “This car seems to be the missing link in the history of the Mustang,” he says. “Just recently hitting the car show circuit, she seems to attract a lot of attention. She just won Best in Show at the Levittown Mustang show this summer. Wow, how far the black sheep of the family has come.”&nbsp;

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1978 Ford Mustang II Cobra owned by Peter Piciulo WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING A 1973 oil embargo and tighter federal emission standards put a dent in the American muscle car market, but Ford struggled to keep the spirit alive with a Mustang II sharply diminished in size, horsepower and enthusiast appeal. Still, these cars – built from 1974 to 1978 – were a hit with consumers and are gaining interest on the collector circuit. “Although not considered an era to remember or collect by the current Mustang enthusiast,” Piciulo says, “the 1974, 1975 and 1978 model years have outsold every Mustang since 1980 and are in the top 10 in all Mustang sales.” HOW LONG HE’S OWNED IT Since 2008 WHERE HE FOUND IT It was advertised online by a Merrick owner. CONDITION “Although the body was rough and did not run,” Piciulo says, “there was no rust to the frame, floors or body. So my friend and I rescued her from the scrap heap on the night of Hurricane Hanna (in 2008).” He performed the mechanical restoration and farmed out the body work and interior to specialists. TIPS FOR OWNERS “If you can’t afford the usual cars that people restore,” he advises, “try looking for a lesser-known model as they are more affordable to purchase.” VALUE Piciulo estimates the value at $11,000. THE BOTTOM LINE “This car seems to be the missing link in the history of the Mustang,” he says. “Just recently hitting the car show circuit, she seems to attract a lot of attention. She just won Best in Show at the Levittown Mustang show this summer. Wow, how far the black sheep of the family has come.”

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