In 1973, things were about to change for the Ford Mustang. After starting the “pony car” revolution in 1965, the first generation was about to call it a wrap. The car had gotten bigger (and bloated) over its first nine years, so a smaller, leaner Mustang II was just around the corner (timed perfectly for the upcoming OPEC oil embargo). This ’73 convertible would be the last drop-top for the Mustang until 1983 and this one is going to need a lot of work. From Rose Hill, Kansas, this project pony is available here on eBay where you can buy the car today at $3,250 or submit an offer.
Over its first three years, Ford sold more than 1.2 million Mustangs, so it was natural that competition would follow in 1967, a lot of it. By 1973, the market was saturated and the interest in performance cars – which comprised a lot of Mustang sales – was down. 134,867 Mustangs would see the light of day in 1973, of which 11,863 would be drop-tops. The seller purchased a Marti Report for his/her car, and it works out to be just one of 722 built with this blue-on-blue exterior/interior color combination.
This Mustang looks rough and likely off the road for some time. The paint is badly faded and there are issues with the body, including rust in both quarter panels. Also, there is evidence of corrosion on the undercarriage, too, which the seller describes as “typical Mustang rust issues.” We’re told the car is mostly complete, but missing items include the grille, air cleaner, passenger side bucket seat, and air conditioning hardware.
Under the hood resides an H-code 351 cubic inch V8 (Cleveland) with a 2-barrel carburetor, but no mention is made of its being original. The previous owner had the motor running off a can of gasoline so the internals of the engine may be good. Besides A/C, the car left the factory with a lot of goodies, including a power top, power steering and brakes, an AM/FM radio, and some assorted odds and ends. No title will come with the deal, only a Kansas Bill of Sale. Restoring this car will be costly and time-consuming, but these drop-tops are some of the least seen Mustangs nowadays.
This car has had the body “repaired” at least once…you can see the old flakey bondo, and it has been said before that it is worse to repair someone else’s mistakes than to start with a clean slate…hard pass…what a shame…
I don’t get it to me these cars in this shape look like they were pulled from the scrap yard to try and resell for more money.
I do not see this kind of trash out by me and we do have some bad trash over here in NY…LOL
Someone went crazy with the spray foam insulation…
No thanks!
Very sad, but says sold now.
Bought one for my ex wife thirty years ago. Did a lot of work on the cars suspension, tranny, top,ignition, carb and only had the body to finish. It was originally Robin egg or sky blue but had been painted red by a previous owner. No powerhouse but fun to drive. She sold it for a third of what i put into it for her after our divorce. My plan was to only invest into the car up to its marketable price which at the time was between $11-15k. I had only gotten up to $5k including the original $2400 we paid for the car
SOLD, Best Offer Accepted.
In the mid 80s, a high school classmate had a 1973 Mustang “Grande” convertible. It was a fairly nice looking and driving car when his parents bought it for him. By graduation in 1986, it was pretty well beat. To this day, he still hasn’t has a real job and still sponges off of his parents.