UPDATE 10/4/18 – Due to a non-paying high bidder, this Mach 1 has been re-listed here on eBay. The seller has also since hooked up a new battery, added fuel, and it fired right up! How high will it goe this time around?
FROM 8/3/18 – Located in Ontario, New York and for sale here on eBay is this 1972 Mustang Mach 1. It’s equipped with a Q-code 351 V8 and a 4-speed transmission. It supposedly only covered 53k miles before being parked in the barn. With a clear title and just under 4 days remaining, bidding has been quite spirited and has taken the price up to $7,900. Something tells me that the price on this one is set to go significantly higher.
As you can see from the photos, this particular car really is a barn find. The original owner purchased the car in December 1971 and drove it until putting it away an unknown number of years ago. Two years ago it was removed from the barn. According to the seller it ran and was driven out after its slumber. However, judging by the way the ad has been worded, I somehow doubt that the seller is the one who awakened this car. I won’t say that they are a flipper, but they currently have 2 other cars listed on eBay and the indications are that they have sold others. Anyway, literally nothing has been done to the car since then. It hasn’t even been washed. That pleasure is being left to the new owner. I suspect that washing the car may be the easiest task awaiting the new owner.
This is the moment where I have to use those 2 “r” words: rust and rot. This old girl has it, and it sounds like it’s going to take a lot more than a weekend with your trusty $200 MIG welder to rectify it. To quote the ad: “underside has some rot, floors, shock towers, little behind front fender/ inner fender.” There is also some visible in the usual places on the body panels such as the rear wheel arches. The seller is the eternal optimist. He states that you could drive it as is with as little as a weekend’s work. I would like to see some shots of the rust and rot that he describes before making my decisions, but the expression “hope springs eternal” has started rolling around in my head.
The interior is where it starts to get really frustrating for me. At first glance, it doesn’t look that bad, but closer inspection begins to reveal more issues that will cause your wallet to bleed heavily. The dash pad has a couple of cracks in it. The seats appear to be quite good and initially, it appears that a good clean will have them ship shape in no time. However, close inspection of the passenger seat indicates the possibility that the stitching has started to rot. If that is the case then all of the seat seams will need attention. So now the interior is starting to get expensive too.
Resting quietly under the hood is the Q-Code 351. I’m prepared to get some arguments on that statement. I can guarantee that there will be those who say it is a Q-Code and those who say it isn’t. Regardless, we’re looking at another area that is likely to absorb many, many dollars. The car reputedly ran when it came out of the barn 2 years ago, but the seller has never run it. Depending on how long this has been sitting the new owner may be in for a lot of work. At least bank on replacing all of the rubber items, clutch, fuel pump, a carburetor rebuild and flushing the rest of the fuel system. We haven’t even thought about the brakes yet.
For a Ford man such as myself, this car throws me a curve-ball. Of all of the Mustangs these are my least favorite. I’ve always believed that Ford lost its way with the Mustang, and the days of the lithe and lively pony car seemed a world away. But the fact is that Mustangs sell, and they command some crazy prices. A couple of weeks ago I wrote up an article on a 1970 Boss 302. To be brutally honest that car was total junk. It had no engine or transmission, the interior had been stripped, the desirable optional equipment had been removed and the body had more holes than a block of Swiss cheese. And yet bidding was crazy on that one and it went for just shy of $10,000. I am aware that this example is not as desirable as the Boss that I just described, but the fact is that it is a Mustang, it has a 351 and a 4 speed, the numbers match, and it’s complete. I won’t be surprised if it pulls some fairly decent numbers. Just not from me.
Why would anyone argue that this is not a Q code…the VIN has a Q in it, so it’s a Q code…end of argument…that being said, this car should bring all the money..V-8, 4 speed…wish I was the one who found it…it’s a keeper…
Spot on – I was wondering why there would be any doubt about it, as long as the VIN was provided (which it was). Too bad it’s not an R-code…
This is probably the least option mach 1 I’ve seen
Dirty Boy, should have showed a little respect and washed it or at least hit it with the leaf blower.
at least hose the danged thing off! It is about 150 mi away from me, no doubt it was a year round car will be a looker once the work is done . check out the underside, tweak the engine keep it looking stock will get some looks !
On a Mustang if there’s visible rust there is a lot more not visible. After restoring a 67 & 70 I should know. Good luck to the new owner and his wallet.
I’m more interested in the 70′ Superbee in the background. Now that would be the car to have over this Mustang. But, I digress i’m Mopar thur & thru.
This is my mustang and the 70 superbee is to. Another barn find all original #s matching solid car
I’ll pass. Ya gotta love it when a seller posts pictures and do their best at taking those pictures at just the right position as to not allow you to see the usual problem areas. Already WAY past what I’d give for it with the given information and views.
I bought a 1970 Mercury in 1971 and only paid 2,500. Boy I wish that drunk had not hit it and totaled it out. You can’t even buy a piece of junk for that price.
If a seller can’t be bothered to wash it I can’t be bothered to read their ad. Dirt doesn’t add value.
Sure does bud. BARN FIND
If this could be had for under 10k it may be worth while. The realty of Ontario NY is the quantity of salted used on the roads. The local bodies of water are showing increase chloride concentration. If this was driven in winter for much of its life then 10k could be to high. Rust never sleeps.
The name Ontario seams to be synonymous with salt!
All of Ford’s products grew in size with the new sizzling 70’s, the smaller 1970 mustang was a low seller compared to what had happened in the sixties and the newer 385 series 429 didn’t fit. I like these, yes the rear visibility is nill, but they can look sharp…
Decent engine options too.
Ironically, it’s the interior that I never cared for and actually caused me to dismiss buying one years ago. I often think of all the cars I didn’t buy, more than the junk I usually wound up with. Ha ha ha!
If this is a ’73 how could he buy it in ’71?
upstate New York. any Mustang will do…
I’m interested to know how do you put away a 1972 or 1973 mustang in December of 1971?
Did you even read the ebay listing? First the car is advertised as a 1972. The provided VIN backs that up, the car is a 1972 model. Second the ad says the original owner purchased the car in December 1971, which is totally realistic as 1972 model year production would have started in July or August of 1971. No where in the ad does it say that the car was put away in December of 1971.
These are nice mustangs compared to the first 65”s and 66’s. Handle well, comfortable ride and plenty of power options. Hard to believe it’s already near 8k. I had two BOSS 351’s. Awesome mustangs!
low options and possibly around `10 might be a good deal if you want to deal with an upstate ny rusting. everything is available.
good luck to new owner. Never underestimate a 351 Cleveland, run great even with a 2 bubble.
Carnt understand why you would not spray with a hose at least. I like these cars I still own a 73 Q code convertible in right hand drive, good to drive and after a few motor mods goes strong. I think this thing may empty the wallet to make it a decent car.
I know a guy who bought one the same color,new,in ’71.
He worked at Disneyworld,& then drove it home to Eureka,Ca.
I really like that color,although Black looks much better.
Disneyworld didn’t exist in 1971.
They built it in Florida some years later.
WRONG! – It opened on October 1,1971.
It is Disneyland not Disneyworld.
Its BEAUTIFUL!
I actually love the front on the 72 especially the Mach 1 .the coup polarises me a bit im just not sure love the convertible and fastback. Still this looks a nice car if the miles are correct.
I agree with you on the looks of the front, they looked like the Shelby’s but the rest of the looked like a Station wagon to me. I always thought this was the first step toward the death of the true mustang. I’d look at my 70 BOSS in 1972 and look at my friend’s 351 BOSS and just couldn’t believe he sold me the 70 to buy that ugly 71
I have read a lot of negatives here, but sure wish I could bring this home with me. Clean her up and drive….
Keeping the bird poop on this nice barn find does not enhance it’s current market value.
He’s up $200 since the last time is “sold”.
I want the White Van