41K Miles? 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible

It’s easy to picture the joy the original owner must have felt driving this 1973 Mustang Convertible off the lot for the first time, dropping the top of the “last” Mustang Convertible, headed into a hazy yellow sunset with the 351 Cleveland burbling. Sold new at Cattrell Ford in Weirton, West Virginia, this Mustang has apparently traveled a mere 41,903 in the ensuing 53 years since that first drive. Barn Finder PRA4SNW spotted it here on Hemmings Marketplace, where brisk bidding has taken the top offer to $20,000 with a couple days to go on the auction, although it has not yet met its reserve. The car is located in Fort Myers, Florida (but the car has a clean Pennsylvania title – snowbirds?).

The Mustang certainly seems to match its door tag; here’s the breakdown, starting with the VIN:

• 3: 1973 model year
• F: Dearborn, Michigan, assembly plant
• 03: Convertible
• H: 351 two-barrel

And the lower row:

• 76D: Convertible with bucket seats
• 6F: Gold Glow paint
• CF: Medium Ginger Knitted Vinyl Trim
• X: FMX Automatic transmission
• 2: 2.75:1 rear axle ratio
• 14: Pittsburgh District Sales Office

Under the hood is a 351 Cleveland two-barrel, which produced 173 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque in Mustang tune. This one has air conditioning, so the new owner can play it cool with the top up or the top down. Aside from a couple oil drips, the engine runs well and everything works but the clock. The car has been upgraded with a faster steering gear, rear sway bar, and nitrogen shocks.

The paint and interior are said to be original, except that the front fenders were apparently repainted at the factory before delivery (no explanation for that was given), and there is “a small blended paint repair on the lower right-rear quarter panel.” The interior has the optional instrumentation group, which includes oil pressure, temperature, and alternator gauges mounted in the center of the dash, and a tachometer mounted in front of the driver (in the dashboard’s left binnacle). The non-working clock is mounted low in front of the shifter.

There have been a couple modifications done to the car, including a set of Magnum 500 wheels (the original wheels and wheel covers will come with the car) and a lower valance with cutouts for dual polished exhaust trumpets (as would have come with 351 four-barrel cars). A new rear bumper “still wrapped in Ford oil paper” will be included, as will the original valance panel. All in all, this looks like an excellent, mostly original example of the last of the first-generation Mustangs. The seller bought it from the original owners, so its history is well-known; therefore, if you like the “big” Mustangs of the early 1970s, this looks like a great option, especially if you like to put the top down and cruise into the sunset.