1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Description

As the last of the muscle Mustangs, this 1973 Mach 1 has some pretty big shoes to fill. Fortunately, it scores on every front, from a cool color combination to a numbers-matching Q-code 351 Cobra Jet powerplant to options like factory A/C. Nice, right?

Code 5M on the trim tag means that the Medium Copper Metallic finish on this car is how it left the factory. It was uncommon back in 1973 and very rare today, but as we've seen, this particular hue is very much back in the spotlight. With this car's great pedigree, they wisely invested heavily in making the bodywork super straight before that unique paint went on. Dig the super sharp body line that lances through the front fenders and doors, something that only looks good when everything lines up just right. The Ram Air hood was given a correct black stripe, along with matching Mach 1 stripes and graphics along the lower edges of the body. 1973 Mustangs also received color-matched front bumpers that give it a sleek look that works well with the already popular rear wing and honeycomb rear fascia. With a brilliant shine and a just-right 1970s vibe, this slick pony was Ford's last bit of performance for a decade, but it sure went out with a bang!

A reproduction comfort weave interior sticks to the original script, with high-back buckets, a center console, and a few wood accents that remind us that the Mach 1 was designed as a grand tourer to appeal to an upscale clientele. The seats, door panels, and carpets are new, the gauges are so bright and crisp that they were surely restored, and a thin-rimmed steering wheel adds some warmth to the monochromatic interior. Factory A/C is a wonderful find in a muscle Mustang like this, suggesting that the original owner knew he was buying something special, and the original AM radio is in the center of the dash. The "flatback" Mustangs have impressive storage space, especially with a fold-down rear seat and a spacious trunk, which includes an original-style space-saver spare.

Pop the Ram Air hood and you'll find this car's original, numbers-matching Q-code 351 Cobra Jet V8, which in 1973 still had some teeth at 266 horsepower. The Cleveland V8 topped with a 4-barrel was the top engine option in '73 and it has the kind of torque that reminds us that nothing pulls like eight cylinders at work. Very nicely detailed with a correct Ford Blue air cleaner up top, shiny finned valve covers, and that big A/C compressor, it shows the results of a serious restoration effort. Turn the key and it barks to life through a reproduction dual exhaust system, and as long as you're under there looking around, not how clean the floors are with just a hint of overspray, just the way the factory did it. The C6 3-speed automatic transmission is up to the task of channeling the 351's torque and there's a 9-inch rear with 3.25 gears on a Trac-Lok inside. Optional polished aluminum wheels have that perfect '70s look and carry newer 225/70/14 Firestone radials.

With just three owners, this southern Mustang has to be one of the nicest late Mach 1s available anywhere. Fully documented with an original window sticker and build sheet, it's an affordable investment that makes a lot of sense. Call today!