This 1972 Ford Mustang caught my eye for a simple reason: it’s a Hardtop. Most of the post-1971 First Generation Mustangs crossing our desks at Barn Finds are Fastbacks, which is unsurprising since the desirable Mach 1 was only available in that body style. That helps this one stand out in a crowd. It presents nicely, featuring a V8 under the hood. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting this Hardtop listed here on Craigslist in Krewstown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The seller listed this turnkey classic for $15,500.
Ford introduced the final significant update to its First Generation Mustang in 1971, with the badge evolving slightly until production ended in 1973. Our featured Hardtop rolled off the line in 1972, ordered by its first owner in Medium Lime Metallic. Cosmetically, it makes a positive first impression. The paint holds a deep shine, the panels are straight, and the contrasting Silver stripes look crisp and clean. One shot reveals an unusual paint flaw on the hood that the seller doesn’t mention. However, a reputable shop should have no trouble addressing the fault and matching the color. That said, the engine bay images suggest someone may have repainted it at some point, as there appears to be visible overspray in a few spots. The seller says this classic is garage-kept, which explains why the underside shots show no evidence of rust. There are a couple of spots of surface corrosion, but no sign of developing steel penetration. However, a closer look at the exterior images shows what appears to be developing rust in some lower surfaces, including the rear quarter panels and lower door corners. Potential buyers may want to do an in-person inspection to determine the extent of these issues. The trim and glass look clean, and the Mustang rolls on new Cooper Cobra tires.
The first owner ordered this Mustang with a 302ci V8 and a three-speed manual transmission, but decided to forgo luxuries like power steering and power brakes. The 302 was feeling the impact of emerging emission laws, producing 141hp and 243 ft/lbs of torque. The seller doesn’t mention evidence verifying their claim that the odometer reading of 75,000 miles is genuine. They say the car has always been properly maintained and runs and drives extremely well. The engine produces plenty of power, and there are no mechanical issues. This shot also reveals further surface corrosion that the buyer will probably want to address for protection and improved engine bay presentation.
This Mustang is frustrating because the listing images send mixed signals. The Dark Green interior looks quite nice, with the seat wear seemingly restricted to a small spot on the outer edge of the driver’s bucket. The remaining upholstered surfaces look acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the dash is clean. The pad appears discolored, but since these areas seem to shift with the angle, it could also be a photographic illusion. The carpet has faded, though since it doesn’t appear worn, replacing it wouldn’t be a priority. However, the same can’t be said for the wheel, which has cracked quite badly. Someone added a radio/cassette player, but that is the only visible modification.
The 1972 Mustang is an interesting vehicle, especially given its production figures. Ford sold 125,903 examples across all body styles during that model year, with the Hardtop, in “standard” and Grande form, accounting for 75,395 of those vehicles. It was comfortably the most popular body style, but the classic world seems to have largely ignored it. Our featured Hardtop looks promising, though the possible rust is worrying. That and the seller’s price could both be sticking points. Recent successful sales suggest the figure is optimistic, and they will almost certainly need to compromise to taste sales success. Do you agree?
I always liked these “big” Mustangs in coupe form. This one is eye-catching with the green/silver theme and the attractive wheel/tire combo. At its core, it is a low-option model; not too many would have had three-speed transmissions. And I think Adam’s analysis is correct: it is likely a bit rougher than meets the eye, with rust to be addressed, plus whatever other upgrades one wants to undertake.
Rusty for the asking price. The paint might be shiny, but that’s offset by the visible rust in the drivers quarter panel, rocker, inside of the drivers door, deck lid, passenger side rocker. It may be rather unique, but how much is that worth?
Steve R