How much did a Mustang cost in 1978?
A base Mustang II typically cost about $3,000 in 1978 dollars, with higher-trim models and options bringing the price toward $4,000.
The 1978 model year sits within Ford’s Mustang II era (1974–1978), a period shaped by fuel economy concerns and smaller styling. Prices depended on trim level, engine choice, and optional features, and they were published as manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for buyers nationwide.
Typical price ranges for 1978 Mustang II
Below are approximate MSRPs for common configurations of the 1978 Mustang II. Prices vary by region, dealership, and added options.
- Base Mustang II coupe with 2.3 L four-cylinder (manual): roughly $3,000–$3,200
- 2.3 L with automatic transmission: roughly $3,200–$3,450
- MUSTANG II with V6 engine (coupe): roughly $3,500–$3,900
- Higher trims or special editions (e.g., Cobra II-style packages): roughly $3,900–$4,200
In practical terms, most buyers paid in the low-to-mid three-thousands for a standard model, with extras nudging the total toward the four-thousand-dollar mark.
In today’s dollars: inflation-adjusted context
When adjusted for inflation, the 1978 price range translates to roughly $13,000–$17,000 in 2024–2025 dollars, depending on the configuration and the inflation metric used. This offers a sense of how the Mustang II compared in cost to modern cars, though today’s vintage-market values for well-preserved or restored examples can vary widely based on condition, provenance, and demand.
Summary
For the 1978 Mustang II, most new-car buyers paid around $3,000 to $4,000 in 1978 dollars, with the final amount shaped by trim and options. Inflation suggests a contemporary equivalent in the low-to-mid tens of thousands when viewed in today’s dollars, but actual market prices for classic Mustangs now depend heavily on condition and collector interest.
