I may be setting myself up to be chastised by more than a handful of Mustang enthusiasts, but based on looks- and I mean only looks- the 1971 through 1973 Mach 1 is probably my favorite of all the body styles Ford has offered across any era of its legendary pony car. Some think it’s too large, and others find the sloped rear end bulky, but something about this design still makes me smile every time I see one. This 1972 Ford Mustang Mach I is running, and while it might not be quite up to par yet to call a drive-as-you-restore example, it’s certainly getting there. It’s in Milton, California, and listed here on eBay, where the seller has posted an own-it-today price of $13,000. Thankfully, you can also submit a lower offer.
1972 was a curse and a blessing for muscle cars, mostly the former, with some bad news that the segment was dying out in the marketplace. Horsepower ratings also switched from gross to net numbers, which made them look lower on paper, but that was actually good because it made a vehicle appear less aggressive to insurance providers. The seller reports that this Mach 1 left the factory as a Q-Code, meaning it was equipped with a 351 known as the Cobra Jet. It now has a 429 under the hood, which is said to be running nicely. It’s paired with an automatic, and all the gears are said to work.
First introduced on the 1969 Shelby, Grabber Blue is a desirable color now considered iconic for the Mustang, and code 3F on the door sticker confirms this car left the factory wearing this hue. That’s about all the exterior info we have here, and the sheet metal shows its fair share of bumps, bruises, and a few attempted touch-ups. Fortunately, the car seems mostly complete on the outside, and most panels don’t seem beyond repair. Unless filler is hiding something, I don’t see much severe corrosion either, so the bones may still be strong enough to work with.
Likewise, the listing provides few specific details about the interior. The front buckets could use a thorough cleaning, but they may suffice if it’s just a fun driver you’re ultimately after. The floors and trunk have a few holes, but the rails we can see underneath appear fairly solid, so the frame may still be structurally sound. The owner calls this a very fixable, desirable 1972 Mustang Mach 1, and from what we are seeing, I tend to agree. How about you?
Nothin’ inspires confidence like dual Little Trees!