By 1971, the writing was clearly on the wall for the First Generation Mustang. The company managed to sell an impressive 149,678 cars in that model year, but this figure was well short of the dizzying heights of only a few short years before. That’s still a decent number, and I sometimes wonder how many of those cars survive today in an unmolested state. They were a prime candidate for more changes and upgrades than it is possible to image, and our feature ’71 Mach 1 stands as proof of this. It is a clean car with no apparent needs, except that it is a classic that needs a new home. The Mach 1 is located in Mill City, Oregon, and the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. He has set the BIN at $39,000, but he leaves the way clear for interested parties to make an offer.

The ownership history of this Mach 1 isn’t clear, but I can confirm that it looks very different today than it would have the day it rolled off the line in Dearborn. Back then, it wore Light Pewter Metallic paint, but that has made way for a glowing coat of Forest Green. I like the original shade, but I can’t say that I find anything wrong with the new color either. It holds an impressive shine, while faults are few and far between. The panels are as straight as you are likely to find in a Mustang of this vintage, and the gaps are consistent and impressively tight. The owner doesn’t indicate whether there is a history of rust problems, but none are visible in the limited photos he supplies. The stripes look crisp, with no evidence of lifting or other issues. The tinted glass looks flawless, and the chrome sparkles as impressively as the paint. The Mustang rolled out the door wearing steel wheels and sports wheel covers, but these have made way for a set of shining Magnum 500s. However, it appears that the owner includes the original hubcaps in the sale.

It seems that this Mach 1 is a numbers-matching classic that comes equipped with a 351ci V8 that produced 285hp in its prime. The rest of the drivetrain includes a four-speed manual transmission, a 3.25 rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. While time might have been catching up with the Mustang, Ford could still produce versions that offered respectable performance levels. This was not the most potent version of the ’71 Mach 1, but a ¼-mile ET of 14.9 seconds means that this classic is no slug in a straight line. The owner claims that this Mustang has a genuine 80,000 miles on the clock, but he doesn’t mention supporting evidence. However, he indicates that the 351 has received a tweak that will undoubtedly have unlocked a few extra horses. The motor now wears a set of aluminum Edelbrock cylinder heads, which should improve the efficiency of the gas flow in and out of the engine. It isn’t clear whether there have been any other upgrades, but those heads alone should be enough to push the output figure beyond 300hp. Disappointingly, the seller doesn’t provide any information on how well this Ford runs or drives, so the best that we can do as a starting point is to assess its presentation. The engine bay is impressively clean, but we need to hope that the owner is willing to answer a few questions about its mechanical health for interested potential buyers.

When we turn our attention to the Mustang’s interior, the presentation is as tidy as you could ever hope to find. It is upholstered in green vinyl, and like the exterior, it is in impressive condition. There is no visible wear or physical damage on any of the upholstered surfaces, while the carpet is free from stains and fading. The dash and pad are spotless, so the buyer won’t need to spend a dime inside this classic. The Marti Report indicates that this Mach 1 rolled off the line with an AM radio, but I suspect that there is now an aftermarket unit fitted in its place.

This 1971 Mustang Mach 1 isn’t 100% original, but it would suit an enthusiast seeking a turn-key classic. It would turn heads wherever it goes and would be an effortless open-road cruiser. The engine upgrades should unleash extra power when needed and improve fuel economy if the driver is light with the right foot. If you find these characteristics appealing, maybe it would be worth a closer look.