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A Personal Thing: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Ford’s sales brochure called the 1971 Mustang “a personal thing, the sporty car designed to express the hidden you.” Indeed the Mustang’s many options, including the Mach 1 package, offered something for nearly everyone. This 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in Freeland, Maryland seeks a new owner here on eBay where bidding has surpassed $3500.

Forensic sanding reveals a color history apparently beginning with blue and ending in yellow, with several colors of primer in between. Strategic holes behind the rear wheels allow fresh air to circulate throughout the trunk, keeping your beer (or beverage of choice) cooler the faster you travel.

After helping a good friend bring a green / green 1972 Mustang back from the dead, this image gives me the shivers. With some luck this one won’t need the X-braces we welded in place to maintain the car’s structure while replacing both sides of the floor and one rocker. This car’s black interior (with a bevy of replacement parts) promises to compliment whatever color the new owner selects.

The 351 “Cleveland” 2bbl represented a medium option among Mach 1 engines ranging from 302 to 429 cubic inches. Ford enlarged the Mustang for ’71 to accommodate the 429, and a built 460 fits too, always an option if you find a ’71 – ’73 Mustang with no engine (thanks to mustangattitude.com for some details). The 351C is no joke; it may not power this Mustang to Mach 1, but it will definitely snap your neck when built properly. This generation has drawn a bad reputation as the pig of Mustangs… oversized and ill-handling, but in reality this ’71 is the same length as the 2018 Mustang… 188 inches, and it’s about 300 pounds lighter than today’s Pony Car. How would you complete this classic’s transformation from idled to idolized?

Comments

  1. Avatar Jimmy

    How would I complete this Mustang, by letting someone else have it. Never been a fan of this generation, I like the Mustang II better than these. But that’s just my preference and anyone who loves this generation of ponies more power to you.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Fordfan

      People criticized the mustang 2 because they don’t want to remember this beast . It’s big ugly and how would you clean the inside of that back window?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Paul

        People criticized Mustang II because they are horrible cars.

        I had thought at one time this generation of mustangs was ugly……then they kind of grew on me. Now I want one!

        Like 3
  2. Avatar TCOPPS Member

    It has potential

    Like 17
  3. Avatar Potential

    Restore it!

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Dave Mika Member

    Ah, ye ‘ole mailslot stang.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Johnny Calabro

    I love the Mach I – I have ever since I saw one parked on my street in 1972. Love the style.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Karguy James

    Yeah…. not a fan of the body style. Had a few over the years and not even a great driving experience. No rear visibility, heavy, slow. Would like to drive a Boss 351 though.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar E. Jones

    The hidden you or the hidden view? I had one of these. Fun to drive but when you looked in the rearview mirror through the rake in the rear window, the entirety of the rear view was less than the size of a postage stamp. Caution while backing!

    Like 4
    • Avatar TCOPPS Member

      Even worse with a spoiler and the tiniest of side mirrors!

      Like 1
  8. Avatar jaygryph

    I suppose I’ll be that guy, I love the way this car looks as is. I like bigger cars, and the more Torino lookin’ big Mustangs are my jam. I’d wet sand the highest spots of the paint, clear the exterior, and detail the interior up nice enough to drive and look passable and would just drive it.

    If you’re offended by paint, then you’re spending too much time outside the car and not enough time inside driving it.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Roy A Perry

    Nice way to describe rust holes as “strategic vents”.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar Troy s

    These look sharp when done up right, always liked these despite the heft and lack of fanfare.😐

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Wayne

    I have always liked the body style. But have never had to live with one. Anything can be made to handle better providing you are willing to spend the money. I would start with something more solid however.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Miguel

    I have always been more partial to cars that drove better than they looked rather than looked better than they drove.

    This car is in the latter category.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Joey Buzz

    I like the way this car look’s. It say’s to me , When I’am Bad, I am better !

    Like 0

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