The first generation of the Ford Mustang ran between 1964-73, although by the time the last one rolled off the assembly line, it was a quite different car. Longer, wider, heavier, and bulkier, sales were down to a fraction of the high-water mark in 1966. The car would be reinvented for 1974, just in time for the shift to fuel-efficient cars due to a shake-up in oil supply and gas prices. This 1973 fastback is said to have a 351 V8 with a 4-speed manual which – if it’s a Q-code – would be in shorter supply. Located in Everest, Kansas, this one-family car is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $7,600.
By 1970, the pony car market(that the Mustang is credited with starting was littered with competitors and highly saturated. That, combined with the Mustang’s departure from its roots, brought sales down to 134,867 units for 1973, its lowest sales year to date. Just 10,820 of those would be standard fastbacks, which looked cool but offered limited rear visibility and headroom for passengers in the back seat. If you wanted the highest level of performance in your ’73 ride, the Q-code 351 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel could be ordered. That’s what we’re told is in the seller’s car, which with a 4-speed manual transmission might make it fairly low in terms of production numbers.
As the story goes, this car has been owned by just one family since new and has 88,000 miles on the odometer. However, it’s not been started in several years, so the mechanical health of the Ford would be in question. It wears its original red paint, which is now worn, faded, and chipped in several places along with a few little dings and dents. While we’re told the undercarriage and frame rails are solid, the sheet metal has some issues after 48 years.
The driver’s side rear quarter panel has been chewed on at the bottom and the same may be starting on the passenger side. There is also some rust under the battery tray in the apron which may have been caused by a leaky Diehard. The interior is going to need attention, at least the driver’s seat bottom which has the stuffing coming out of it, and the dash pad is cracked in several places. This car is certainly a project, but a ’71-73 Mustang doesn’t command the same resale dollars as a ’65-66. Hagerty says that $18,000 is top money though the Q-code would likely add a premium for somebody looking for one.
Shouldn’t that dash pad get some kind of an award?
Guys? I’m seriously looking for a 10k car. The last stang that came through here in that price range went over my budget.
I’m asking if this is a 10k car?
The drivetrain will push it higher.
Steve R
Thanks Steve. I believe you’re honest.
BTW, I’m looking to put another 10k in. I just can’t find anything in Eaat Pennsylvania or Jersey, or the Tri State that is viable. Just wanna cruise with the misses, we finally hit the age and fiscal ability to do again. Sad times, looking for some good one’s.
qmmq, keep looking and broaden your search. Most deals are never advertised, they are sold through word of mouth. As mentioned below, ask car club members, also ask anyone you know that has an interest in old cars if the know if any for sale, then follow up regardless. Look at underused websites such as next door and offer up, even Facebook forums.
Most of the cars in this site are being turned by their seller, someone found the car at a good price and they are now flipping it for a profit. Whenever this site features a car listed on eBay, look at the sellers other active listings as well as their completed listings. The seller if this car, for example, has sold a dozen cars in the last 90 days. He’s not alone when it comes to people moving that volume. They are finding these cars somewhere, and it’s generally not eBay and Craigslist.
Unless you are married to a specific year, make and model, start your search with a budget, then figure out what cars fall into that price range, focus on those. If you are patient and persistent you will find something. One last thing, disregard the most vocal voices on this site that complained about cars being overpriced, they are, but most of those guys are probably a couple of decades past their last purchase. Their just complaining as a form of entertainment.
Steve R
I was wrong, it sold for a high bid of $8,051. If it’s restorab, someone potentially got a good car based largely on its drivetrain.
Steve R
I can help you qmmq. Send me an email to Mountaintopspeedshop@gmail.com
73 Mustang? Too long, too heavy, too under-powered. Could one “work” the engine to make it more like the 71 which had more power?
Kevin Marti could provide the data, but my observation is that manual transmissions in 1971-73 Mustangs were not very common. That makes this example interesting. I’d say it is probably worth the effort.
qmmq, just keep looking. As Steve R repeatedly reminds us, they are out there. Realize that the car you want may be 1000 miles away, but shipping costs in the big picture can be worth it. Another suggestion: if you are looking for Mustangs specifically, engage a local Mustang club. They often know where the cars are.