351/4-Speed: 1971 Ford Mustang Convertible

After twenty years in hiding, this 1971 Mustang Convertible has emerged blinking into the light of day. It is a project car, and restoration will be high on the priority list for its new owner. However, it looks like they might be commencing that process from a fairly solid base. It seems like it could be a straightforward project, and it may be suited to somebody looking for a spot of DIY. The owner includes a few additional parts that should help the buyer down the road to returning this classic to its former glory. Located in Federal Way, Washington, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set a sale price of $10,500 for the Convertible, and I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for referring this classic pony car to us.

The history of this Mustang is unclear, which raises the question of why it has been sitting in storage for two decades. It presents in Bright Silver Blue Metallic and must have been an attractive car in its prime. The paint shows its age, and a refresh is on the cards. The black soft-top is in surprising condition, and I think this would respond to a deep clean. The panels have accumulated a few dents and marks along the way, with the worst being some significant damage in the passenger side front fender. However, the seller includes a good replacement as part of the deal, making that one less problem to worry about. It isn’t clear what sort of rust the next owner could be dealing with, although I can see some evidence of rust in the trunk drop-offs in the supplied underside photos. Externally, things look relatively clean. There may be some in the lower rear quarter panels, but it is difficult to tell due to the black highlighting along the lower edge of the car. The owner mentions no problems in his listing, so this car may require an in-person inspection. This is particularly relevant as some photos reveal heavy surface corrosion, suggesting that the garage environment may have been less than ideal. Of course, with rust repair steel being so readily available and affordable, this car would have to be pretty rotten before it was deemed beyond the point of no return.

The original owner ordered this Mustang equipped with a 351ci V8 that produced 285hp, a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. While it is true that buyers were feeling the first effects of tightening emission regulations by the time this classic rolled off the line, it would still have been capable of storming through the ¼ mile in 15 seconds in its prime. The seller doesn’t provide any information on the mechanical state of this Mustang, so we don’t know if the engine even turns freely. These are notoriously robust, so coaxing it back to life may not be difficult if it does turn. After two decades of inactivity, there will undoubtedly be other tasks for the buyer to tackle. Probably my most significant concern revolves around the level of surface corrosion that we see on various components in the engine bay. Items like the alternator and ignition coil show some noticeable visible deterioration, and this is one of the things that sparked my earlier suggestion that an in-person inspection may be a wise move. If this process turns up nothing nasty, it may simply be a matter of cleaning those items and performing routine maintenance to return things to a sound state.

Turning our attention to this Mustang’s interior, we discover an aspect with both its good and bad points. Apart from the factory radio, the interior appears to be complete. The original owner ordered the car upholstered in black vinyl, but the condition of the upholstered surfaces is difficult to ascertain due to the aftermarket slipcovers on the seats. Many of the painted surfaces are crying out for a refresh, while there is further evidence of the sorts of corrosion that can develop in a damp environment. I initially thought that the dash pad was okay, but there is evidence of some slight damage just to the left of the center binnacle. This may be repairable, although a meticulous new owner might replace this as part of an interior re-trim. A trim kit to return the interior to a factory-fresh state will lighten their wallet to the tune of $2,000. However, this will include all of the components required, down to the last screw and clip. The wheel is a bit of a mystery, and I’m unsure whether this would respond positively to some careful cleaning. If not, it may be a case of sourcing a replacement. If I were to buy this Mustang, it is not a decision that I would be rushing into. It would be worth investigating whether the new owner could revive this wheel because reproduction replacements sell for around $875. That’s an eye-watering figure and would be enough motivation for me to pour some time and effort into this one first.

Returned to its former glory, this 1971 Mustang Convertible could be an enjoyable classic when the weather turns warm. Its drivetrain combination offers respectable performance potential, but extracting more horses from that 351 would not be difficult if that’s what the buyer wanted. The car shows promise as a project build, and I think that it will probably pique the interest of plenty of potential buyers. It has only been on the market for a short time, and I won’t be surprised if somebody grabs it pretty quickly. I can’t think of many better ways to spend a sunny Saturday than touring in this classic with the top down. Can you?