Mustang sales were down for the sixth year in a row in 1972, due in part to the pony car market being flush with competitors. And, also, because the car’s proportions had gotten bloated over the years. Yet, Ford managed to produce more than 15,000 non-Mach 1 fastbacks like the seller’s car. This ’72 Mustang was set up for racing, running the quarter-mile in under 13 seconds. It’s been tucked away in a garage for years and will need some mechanical and cosmetic attention. What’s unusual is there’s a 460 cubic inch V8 under the hood, a motor normally found in Lincolns. Located in Wyandotte, Ohio, this Ford is available here on craigslist for $12,500. Thanks for the heads up on this Mustang, T.J.!
Despite a drop in demand, Ford still assembled 125,000 Mustangs in 1972, a number that would have made a lot of other nameplates green with envy. This ’72 fastback originally had a 351 V8 that was jettisoned at some point for a 460, not an engine available to the Mustang. The previous owner liked to take it to the local drag strip, so the auto was set up to run fast. Modifications to help accomplish this included increasing the engine displacement to 472 cubic inches (even though the air cleaner says it’s a 429), high volume oil pump, Crane camshaft, Holley 780 cfm carburetor, a Mallory distributor, and the list goes on.
At some point, the college-age racer lost interest in the car, and it sat in the garage pictured in some of the photos from 1993 until recently. The physical condition of the vehicle has deteriorated some over the years, such as rust in the rear quarter panels, but replacements come with the car. There is also a touch of it in the trunk, but the seller says it’s solid everywhere else. Once cleaned up, the paint may be presentable, at least for the short term. The interior is at least as nice with no issues with the upholstery and headliner, although there is one small crack in the dash.
The seller bought the car to restore it but that may not be in the cards. If he does start working on the Mustang, its selling price will go up. It had not been run in 20-30 years, but when the seller installed a new battery, he says it does turn over and the motor spins freely. Because the Ford was set up for racing, the gearing needs to be changed some more friendly for street use if that’s or plan. Or you could race it like the prior owner to see what a big-block Mustang with an automatic tranny feels like doing 12 second quarter miles!
I’m digging’ it.
I always did like the long nose no ass Mustangs lol
But for Gods sake just wash the fn thing!! I really just cant wrap my head around showing a filthy classic car just to call it a garage find or what ever. Am I alone thinking this way?
At least the seller attempts to explain why it’s unwashed, unlike almost every other unwashed car ad.
That’s a cool ride. If I own it and before putting money into body work. I detailed the whole stang . Fix up the interior. Change the ring and pinion for 3.73. and see how it runs. Since the body is original I would put patch panels over the rust area first. And have fun at car shows in the spring and summer. Thats my dream.😂 Good luck to the next owner.🐻🇺🇸
I once had a 72 that had a 429 between the fenders and it was pretty BAD A$$ in the 1320. I also had a 460 between the fenders of a Marquis that did the 1320 in the high 13’s. Love the BIG BLOCK FORDS. This looks like it could be a lot of fun. Getting to old for this now but I sure hope someone puts it back on the road. I’m one of the people who loves the 71 / 73 Mustangs.
Always wondered why Ford never built a 460 Cobra Jet, or SCJ? I had the components, 460 crank & block, SCJ intake and exhaust manifolds, good rods, Holley carb, early 429 heads, but divorce forced their sale. Would it have run with a LS6 or LS7 454?
I had a 72 Montego and a 73 Marquis when I got Divorced, The EX took the Montego and left me the Marquis. I relisted and used my bonus and went crazy on the Marquis. It had a tired 460 in but we rebuild it and made a NICE RIDE out of it. Got it in the mid 13’s after putting it on a diet .Love that Big Girl.
Cant go wrong w 460 ford car or truck👍
I was going to say, the authors mentioning “12 second” is a bit misleading. 12.99, maybe, but tis’ no 12 second machine, not without something sticking out of the hood, anyways. Cars like this would do low 13’s, maybe a very high 12, but I know for a fact, it’s really tough to go a full second in the 1/4 mile.Had a friend, with a ’67, 454 Chevelle, FAST car, his goal was 11’s. He consistently turned 12.5, 12.8, 12.2,,once, but never did get it to 11’s. These days, a motor like this is for pure bragging rights, and a 302, 2 barrel in this car would be fine for me.
I never cared much for this body style of the mustang. To me it looks like the folks at ford took a Grand Torino modified it a little and called it a mustang
Geez, seems a lotta guys lost cars over a divorce. Single guys pay attention, just find a woman you hate & buy her a car. You can avoid a lot of heartache.
Al. Make that a House AND Car. I did get to keep my dogs.
House? No. I built an oversized raised planter box 4’x8’x4′. The wife says ‘you don’t know anything about gardening’. I just said ‘Yeah honey, I know’, lol
Sounds like my 68 Charger. 440, 13.5 to 1 compression, .628 lift cam, tunnelram, Holley’s, 4.30 Dana 60. Very fast street car in it’s day, when I got on it I literally watched the gas gauge drop. When I went back to putting around along it stayed there. Loved it’s hi test
Sounds like my 68 Charger. 440, 13.5 to 1 compression, .628 lift cam, tunnelram, Holley’s, 4.30 Dana 60. Very fast street car in it’s day, when I got on it I literally watched the gas gauge drop. When I went back to putting around along it stayed there. Loved it’s hi test
Seems odd, Wyandotte MI map and no other craigslist ads for it in Cinci or Columbus.
Yea im with Scottymac, Ford knew how to make the power, Imagine if The Cammer wasnt disqualified, The awesome Hemi would then have followed suit With thier Sohc, Chevy would have followed with the Sohc 454. Then we would have a ton of Sohc big blocks out there. But no , anyways yea how about a dual quad 460 higher compression, the 429 -460 are interchangeable, its a no brainer, run the 439 posi nine inch, call it a drag pac, Hemi darts could be met with 460 Mavericks. They could have run eith the ls6
My Marquis got 14 around town and 19 on the Highway AS LONG AS I KEPT MY FOOT OUT OF IT
Ford took the fastback body style too far with the 1971-1973 Mustangs. I always thought that the 1969-70 fastback were the best looking fastbacks. They went completely opposite in the 1971-73 models. Truthfully, of all the “classic” Mustangs, my favorite is the 1969-70 coupe.