1973 Ford Mustang Mach I
"The 1973 Ford Mustang is an experience in control and balance. That great satisfaction comes from Mustang's roadability. Roadability is how a car moves, stops, turns, rides, and communicates with the pavement and with you. Mustang does it. Mustang has impressed millions of people. We think we know why. What it takes to make driving a beautiful experience is what Ford puts into Mustang." Excerpted from the 1973 Mustang sales brochure.
For consignment, a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach I in medium green with some unique striping on this big bodied Mustang showing a non verifiable 2,989 miles on the odometer as the title reads Mileage Exempt. When this body style premiered in 1971, Motor Trend's Bill Sanders said that "Mach 1 is back in force, its sleek, exciting fastback creating the appearance of motion and power."
Exterior
Let's first gaze upon this car's profile which represents a unique period in the annals of Mustang history, the long and tall backside sloping up to the roof, all fronted by a mile long hood with long overhangs at both ends of the wheelbase. Our car is bathed in Medium Green and in front with vertical marking lights in the grille flanks a horse backed by a gold painted coral and round fog lights front a front chin spoiler. The hood retains its nostril like intake vents and on this car, highlighted by black trimmed gray stripes that accentuate the curvature of the hood are followed by gold stripes that continue back to the windshield, then peel off to the side, Boss style, and run the length of the car. From the C-pillar back, the gold stripe runs in parallel with a black stripe. No stripes in back but there is a wing, louvers on the window, and the taillights are trimmed in black are flush with the rear panel, underlined with a chrome bumper. 15-inch Cragar wheels shine bright and so does most of the metal on the car. Imperfections include areas of touched up paint, cracking paint over some bodywork, and some minor bubbling down low.
Interior
Custom door panels alternate light and dark panels and include a speaker while inside, tall backed vinyl bucket seats present in black and red with sporty tuck stitched inserts. This car is rear seat delete and it's been replaced with a speaker box and package shelf, all between molded plastic walls. A Grant steering wheel fronts a dash that's been painted red housing a simple gauge package with tach, speed, and fuel. More gauges occupy the center stack and their trim rings have been painted red along with the columns surrounding the faux woodgrain panel. An AM/FM/CD radio with screen is below that and above, we note the tan dash cover is cracked in places. More red to the right including an illuminated running horse. The standard Ford shifter is on the hump behind some auxiliary light switches and in front of a tan center console with cupholders. Black loop carpet is the floor covering here, in good shape, and the black headliner, while loose in some spots, is fully intact. The trunk is absolutely barren and shows bare metal.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a clean 351ci Cleveland V8 with an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor. Polished valve covers, a yellow coil, and red wires add some visual interest to the bay and headers are visible to begin the exhaust process. An FMX 3-speed automatic transmission is hooked up behind the engine and sends power to the Ford 9" differential with 3.25 gears. Power brakes are supplied with discs in front, drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Generally clean, driver quality underneath with minimal surface rust, no invasive rust, and just a drop or two of oil on the pan. The dual exhaust encounters a pair of Cherrybomb mufflers before exiting out back via twin tips on each side. Coil spring suspension is found up front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
Though far from factory looking inside, it's still a familiar Mach I view out the windows with that big square one out back, shaded by louvers in ultra 70's fashion! No problem starting up the V8 which provides a nice rumble underneath. The slightly staggered tires provide a smooth ride which is sure footed in turns and tracks straight. There's decent power underfoot as well and acceleration is quite good. Once we've established the engine runs and responds, we move on to functional items where we find some things are not working. This includes the reverse lights, the turn signals, the speedometer/odometer, the radio, and the horn. Everything beyond these items worked as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
This mighty Mach I presents as a uniquely individual example with customizations that are ready for adoption, or a solid boned car ready for a return to factory configuration. In either case, it's a real deal Mach I born with a 351ci Cleveland in Dearborn, Michigan and now available in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. What city can we add to its list of geographic history? Let us know.
3F05Q241583
3-1973
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
05-Mustang Mach 1
Q-351ci Cleveland 4bbl V8
241583-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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