The first generation of the Ford Mustang had its swan song in 1973, giving way to a smaller, leaner Mustang II the following year. Since its introduction in 1964, the automobile had got big and bloated and a disinterested public wasn’t buying them in numbers like they used to. This beautiful ’73 drop-top is in fantastic condition and wears a rare paint color, Signal Green, which we’re told only adorned 277 of the pony cars that year. From a dealer’s showroom in Fenton, Missouri, this ‘Stang is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $18,100. But, as you might surmise, the reserve has yet to be met.
Though demand paled compared to a few years earlier (a lot of competition arrived on the scene in the late 1960s), Ford still built 11,853 Mustang convertibles in 1973, according to the seller. This example originated at Ford’s plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and was sold by a dealer in Illinois in the summer of that year. According to a Marti Report for this Ford, only 277 were painted Signal Green and 144 came with the combination of paint and trim codes this car also has. We assume the auto has been used sparingly in the last 50 years, explaining an odometer reading of just 68,000 miles.
From the photos provided by the seller, you’ll have to look hard and long to find any flaws with the body, paint, striping, and interior on this neat pony. Ford’s popular H-Code 351 cubic inch “Cleveland” V8 sits under the hood with a 2-barrel carburetor that may have been appreciated after the OPEC oil embargo came along in the same calendar this vehicle was sold. A C-6 automatic transmission handles the shifting and we’re told the machine performs well.
The soft top material is a newer replacement. The BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires aren’t new but seem to have plenty of meat left on the bones. The factory alloy wheels look great, especially with the use of silver striping on the body. Just a few things are on the to-do list, such as getting the factory air conditioning to blow cold (lack of freon? wouldn’t the dealer just go ahead and handle that?). If you’ve got room in your garage – and the reserve hasn’t been set in crazy territory – would this make a great addition to your automotive harem?
Very nice. I’ve always liked these ‘big’ Mustangs, especially the convertibles.
This eye-catching green is very unfamiliar to me. Anyone seen it, on any Ford of this time? If Kevin Marti was here, I’d ask him a question. The Marti Report says 277 Special Paint for the 1973 Convertible. One would think that means THIS Special Paint, but the wording isn’t clear. Maybe it means 277 total Convertibles have Special Paint (of all colors)? That would be 2.3% had Special Paint (of all colors), which seems like a believable amount.
And, $15.64 for Special Paint. That’s about $100 in today’s dollars. By comparison, my neighbor is getting a new CT-5. The “Argent Silver Metallic” is $625.
The White Frost Tricoat on my 2017 Denali (I bought it used) was a $995 option! That’s crazy.
The buying public keeps forking out, thereby legitimized highway robbery
I just paid $700 and change for a gallon each of plain black base and clear, and it’s still in the cans! Chemicals are crazy expensive right now.
Maybe I can clear it up, Bob. Russ did state 277 were ‘Signal Green’. 144 with this paint and trim, being the interior color. That is a rare color that I’ve never seen before either, and I’ve seen my share of Mustangs. I don’t think I could look at that in my garage everyday, yuck.
Dealer states 2 barrel carb – look again ! –
but we see Holley 4 barrel, aluminum intake and headers.
Nice Mustang – wonder what the History is?
I bought one of these Mustangs used back then with that 2bbl Cleveland and the engine couldn’t breathe. The intake ports were different and you couldn’t just drop a 4bbl intake on it because the ports didn’t match. Edelbrock, at the time, made an aluminum intake specifically to convert a 2bbl to 4bbl. It wasn’t perfect but for us broke kids that, and an $80 set of headers made them a lot better.
The Marti report for my 1968 convertible specifically calls out the number of cars with the same paint code. Note that this car has no paint code. This is typical of cars with special order paint. The figure of 277 refers to the number of 1973 convertibles with no paint code, and they weren’t all Signal Green. I’ve seen a few Playmate Pink ’73 Mustangs out there.
Well for a reference point at a recent auction a Black 73 that appeared to be all original with less miles in the 50K range WITH a factory 351CJ 4 Speed sold for in the 25K range which I thought was a pretty good deal in this era of insane car prices. Rare drivetrain combo by 73 making it a lot more valuable than this car besides being a better color
Wow! Gorgeous color, especially with that color interior to set it off. Have a couple of Mustangs, and spend a lot of time at Mustang events, never knew about that color. What show stopper, need to track one down.
I actually picked up a 95% original, numbers matching, “survivor” 73 in this color from it’s 2nd owner who was able to verify it’s history about one year ago. It is identical to this one except it has a 2V Windsor and no Mach 1 striping or hood. It has had one repaint in its lifetime but it is easy to see it is the original color. I plan to get a Marti report on it at some point but from what I was able to find online is this color is actually a Porsche color that Ford offered in 73. My car still has the original door tag and the color code is blank indicating the paint is special order. There is very little information about this color but from what I was able to gather is there are only 2 examples of this color in a 73 Mustang Convertible known to still exist, mine and the one shown here. I suspect the one featured here is the same one that was sold in a Mecum auction July of 2020 lot # W228. I don’t know if this combination adds value to the car but from what I see on the road this color of “in your face” green is becoming increasingly popular. I will/can post some pictures of mine if anyone is interested in seeing it
John, I am interested in seeing your car.
The 277 number on the Marti Report refers to the number of 1973 Mustang convertibles ordered with a special (non regular production) paint color. The number that came in this color is not known on the report. 144 of those cars had this interior color and material.
This car looks to have had an extensive non-concours restoration, with upgrades made to wheels (Magnum 500s weren’t available in 73), hood, rear spoiler addition, headers, intake, carb, and chrome dress up items. It would be interesting to see a photo of how it looked n it’s original configuration.
Interesting. Is there a way to tell if it was ordered with the silver stripes vs if they were added later?
for all the money on the paint done to this why in the truck did they miss a spot? left side as you look at photo on wheel well there is like 4 inch by 2 inches with no paint. being there is not gas filler on side i do not know why there would be no paint in this spot. who ever painted this car did a great job other than this missed spot.
That’s not a missed paint spot, something happened to wear that off after it was painted.
As a body man / painter, I can tell you that is not a “missed” spot of paint. The way the trunk would have been sprayed it would be impossible to miss a spot, let alone no signs of overspray on that area. Looks like dried adhesive to me.
This is really nice, even has a green battery.
Oohhh
If only this was the “Bullet” green color
How many people would chase it???
I would….if only
I was interested in seeing what this would end up selling for, but I don’t have to bother watching this auction.
Dealership has it advertised on their website for $42,900.
No thanks! But, after watching too many hours of BJ auction, that actually sounds like a steal.
https://www.motoexotica.com/vehicles/4446/1973-ford-mustang
It may be worth watching because, unless it has a reserve, it may likely sell for quite a bit less than that price.
Oh, there was indeed a reserve on this one.
Made it to $22,900, of course the reserve was not met.
Having a C-6 is also unusual behind a 2 Barrel carb.