57k Original Miles: 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible

For the First Generation Mustang, the glory year was undoubtedly 1966. Ford couldn’t build cars fast enough in that year, with 607,568 buyers clamoring to park the iconic pony car in their driveway. From that high, sales volumes plummeted dramatically. By 1972, the total had dropped to 125,903 vehicles, but the badge rallied to 134,867 in 1973 as Ford announced that a new Mustang was waiting in the wings and undertook a more aggressive marketing campaign on the outgoing model. Our feature Convertible is from that final year of production and presents well as an original survivor. It has a couple of minor interior trim faults, but its overall presentation means the next owner could slip behind the wheel and drive this Mustang with pride. Located in Tyler, Texas, the seller has listed the Convertible for sale here on Craigslist. It could be yours by handing them $31,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for using his finely-tuned radar to spot this classic for us.

If I were to pick a 1973 Mustang to park in my garage, I would probably bite the bullet and select a Convertible. This choice would stem purely from a styling perspective because I feel that the Convertible looks lighter than the Fastback or Coupe derivatives. It may be physically larger than earlier cars, but it seems to better reflect a “family” likeness than the other body styles from that year. It would also seem an odd choice for where I live because I would need to keep the Mustang for sunny days and have a second car on standby to drive during the other fifty-one weeks in the year! This Mustang wears Saddle Bronze Metallic paint, and since the owner doesn’t mention any prior restoration work, it could be original. It holds an impressive depth of color and shine, with no major blemishes or patchiness that can afflict metallic paint in locations with high UV levels. That physical location may also explain the lack of apparent rust. There are no issues visible in the supplied photos and no mention of problems in the seller’s listing. The description is light on information, so we know nothing about the state of the power top. However, the trim looks excellent for a vehicle of this age, and I can’t spot any flaws in the glass.

While Ford continued to offer a six-cylinder engine option in the 1973 Mustang, the original owner of this classic equipped it with a 302ci V8, three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. With that V8 producing 135hp, it would take this Convertible 18.2 seconds to cover the ¼ mile. This aspect of the Mustang reveals how the car had evolved since the halcyon days of 1966. Emission regulations were strangling the humble V8 by 1973, but other factors were worth considering. A 1966 Mustang Convertible tipped the scales at 3,027lbs, but our feature car pushes that figure to 3,355lbs. Every additional pound would impact performance, and that’s without considering relative power outputs. The C-Code 302 pumped out 200hp in 1966. While I acknowledge that the early figures represented gross horsepower while manufacturers quoted net output by 1973, there was a measurable difference between the two V8s. Combining those factors makes it easy to see why the 1966 Convertible could gallop through the ¼ mile in 16.9 seconds versus the number previously quoted for our feature car. The seller supplies no information on how well this Convertible runs or drives, but its engine bay presents well for an original survivor of this vintage. Therefore, if the appearance serves as an accurate guide, the news should be positive. The seller also quotes an odometer reading of 57,000 genuine miles but fails to mention verifying evidence.

Considering this Mustang appears to have spent its life in Texas, its interior trim and upholstery have survived remarkably well. There are flaws and defects present, but they’re pretty minor. The driver’s seat has a spot of wear on the outer edge and a couple of seam separations, but these appear repairable. If the next owner seeks perfection, a pair of replacement covers in the correct color and pattern will lighten their wallet to the tune of $370. There are a couple of small splits on the door trim. Once again, replacements are readily available and retail for around $390 per pair. The rest of the interior looks good, with no other items showing significant deterioration. I am surprised that, given its physical location, the original owner didn’t equip the car with air conditioning. Then again, who needs it with the wind rushing through your hair? Comfort and convenience features appear limited to a remote driver’s mirror and a pushbutton AM radio.

This 1973 Mustang Convertible is a tidy survivor that needs little to lift its presentation to a higher level. As a survivor-grade classic, it is sure to turn heads in its current state. Although the asking price is heading towards the top end of what potential buyers might expect to pay, its condition and low odometer reading could justify the figure. By 1973, the Ford Mustang was a different creature from the one that so effectively captured the public’s imagination a few years earlier. It had grown larger and softer, appealing to potential buyers who prioritized comfort over outright performance. For some enthusiasts, it marked a sad end for such a groundbreaking model. Those individuals also feel the misunderstood Mustang II served to rub salt into the wound. However, that’s a story for another day.