1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Description

We know there are a lot of you guys out there who love these early '70s Mustangs, so when this super clean, low-mileage 1972 Mach 1 showed up, we ushered it in and got busy taking some photos. A very recent frame-on restoration that includes paint, interior, and a freshened 351 Cleveland engine, it's the definitive answer to the guys who say horsepower died in 1971.

Never thought you'd see a white car that you liked this much, did you? Ford wasn't too creative with names in '72, so it's just called "White," but the truth is, with the Mach 1 stripes, blacked-out hood, and assorted spoilers and slats, this one doesn't need a fancy name to get your attention. As far as we can tell, the 54,944 miles shown on the clock are authentic, backed up by a title from 1987 showing just 50,000 miles, but that didn't stop an enterprising soul from rolling it into the paint booth just last year and stripping it down and coating it with dazzling bright white from a 2012 SVT Raptor pickup. The shine is awesome, the bodywork is very nice, and as I said, the graphics give it a hi-po look that few cars could match in 1972. As a good original car, the panels fit together quite well and the list of new gear is pretty extensive, including the rear window slats, hood inserts, both spoilers, the weather-stripping, and even the rear window and front windshield. As a result, it looks incredibly crisp and insanely appealing.

The black interior was also replaced almost entirely. The dash is original, but beyond that, all the soft parts were upgraded to fresh parts. High-back buckets, a console, luxurious-looking door panels, and a taut headliner make it feel new inside and you can't argue with the style, which isn't dated at all. Deeply set gauges monitor the basic and show crisp markings and nice lenses that are as clean as the rest of the interior. It isn't loaded with options, but along the way someone has added a modern AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo system that sounds great when you're cruising, and honestly, do you really need more than a thumping 351 for fun? The folding rear seat makes this Mustang remarkably practical, and the trunk has been finished using spray-in bedliner material for durability and needs nothing more than a repro trunk mat to be totally finished.

In 1972, the 351 Cleveland with a 4-barrel carb and 4-bolt mains was the most potent powerplant in the Ford arsenal, and it's plenty entertaining today. The bulletproof low-mile reciprocating assembly didn't need any attention, so they focused on breathing improvements to really wake it up. A slightly bigger Comp Cams camshaft, Edelbrock intake manifold, Holley double-pumper carb, and a new exhaust system let the deep-breathing Cleveland do its thing and it's formidable on the street. Finned valve covers, Ford Blue paint, and a satin black inner fenders provide a great visual treat and there's a big aluminum radiator up front to keep it cool on longer trips. The C6 3-speed automatic was pulled, cleaned, and re-sealed, and it powers a stout 9-inch rear end with highway-friendly gears inside. There's also a Flowmaster exhaust system, a new gas tank, and great low-mile floors to make this Mustang a keeper. Modern 17-inch Torque Thrust-style wheels look fantastic and carry 235/45/17 front and 245/45/17 rear performance radials.

This sucker looks amazing, but the way it drives will really win you over. Not many '72 Mustangs deliver as much beauty and brawn as this one does. Call today!