- Seller: James H (Contact)
- Location: Latrobe, Pennsylvania
- Mileage: 96,400 Shown
- Chassis #: 3FD4H224637
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 351cui Cleveland V8
- Transmission: Automatic
UPDATE – Additional photos have been added to the gallery below.
Some cars come with stories you can’t separate from the metal, and this 1973 Ford Mustang Grande is one of them. Located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, this Mustang is being offered through a Barn Finds Auction after spending roughly 25 years tucked away in a garage, quietly waiting for its next chapter to begin.
According to the family, this Mustang last saw regular road use in 1999, when its owner—now requiring long-term care due to Huntington’s disease—was no longer able to drive. Since then, the car remained stored indoors, preserved by time rather than restored or modified. Only recently was it pulled back into the light to see if it still had life left in it.
The results were encouraging. With a new battery and fresh fuel, the Mustang reportedly started right up, a strong testament to how well it was put away. A short 10-mile test drive followed, and the seller notes that everything appears to be working as it should. That kind of first reawakening after decades of inactivity is exactly what makes true garage finds so compelling.
This Grande is powered by a 351 Cleveland V8, backed by an automatic transmission, and shows 96,400 miles on the odometer. It carries a clean title, and while it hasn’t been refreshed or recommissioned beyond what was necessary to get it running, it clearly presents as a solid foundation for someone looking to bring a classic Mustang back into regular use. The family describes it honestly as a car that will need some work, but one that already shows strong potential as a future driver.
The Mustang Grande occupied a unique place in the early-1970s lineup, leaning more toward comfort and style than raw muscle. That makes survivors like this one especially appealing today, as they offer a different take on the Mustang story—one that’s equally rooted in personal ownership and long-term care rather than repeated restoration cycles.
What makes this listing stand out isn’t flashy upgrades or recent restoration claims. It’s the authenticity. This is a car that was loved, parked with intention, and left alone—not parted out, not modified, and not forgotten. The family’s hope is simple: that the next owner will appreciate it for what it is and give it the attention it deserves to become a dependable classic once again.
For someone who values originality, personal history, and the satisfaction of bringing a long-stored car fully back to life, this Mustang Grande checks all the right boxes. How often do you find a Cleveland-powered Mustang that wakes up this easily after a quarter-century of rest?
Bid On This Auction
Ving bid $2,600.00 2026-01-14 10:57:13
Hatter bid $2,500.00 2026-01-13 13:03:18
OSU1 bid $2,400.00 2026-01-12 07:39:34- Ving bid $2,100.00 2026-01-11 11:58:04
BigBopper1 bid $1,500.00 2026-01-10 13:01:17- Ving bid $1,400.00 2026-01-09 08:36:38
Fastkat bid $1,200.00 2026-01-08 18:48:20
Bugeye01 bid $100.00 2026-01-08 11:59:17
The real Eleanor. Would be a nice driver.
Good write-up. A refreshingly straightforward story on what appears to be a straightforward car. From the few pictures, it looks like it wasn’t abused (interior pics would have been nice to have). Just normally used for half of its life, and stored for half of its life.
These Grandes were nicely-equipped and trimmed cars. I hope it goes to a good home.
This looks like it would clean up rather well. With a careful cut and polish and treat the black vinyl top, and as Bob already pointed out, and I agree, some interior shots would go a long way. I’d actually get new white walls keep the wheel covers and show it as is. Not every Mustang was a factory hot rod, many of them were pedestrian models like this Grande here, and theres absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Like the earlier mild Monte Carlo.. no hot rod intentions. Clean it up, tune it up, add a quiet dual exhaust and cruise 😎
Nice to see the original body painted front bumper. Not sure if this is a “grande” thing or if all tangs in 73′ had this? Nonetheless more appealing than an out a place chrome piece that doesn’t follow the car lines.
All ’73 Mustangs had the body-colored urethane 5 mph crash bumper up front. Similar in this respect to the Corvette of the same year, body colored up front, chrome in the back.
Had 1 identical. Bought in Dec 1984 from an Army Capt. for $1,800. Pwr steering/front disc, AC, AM/FM. Luxury Mustang, but not as collectible as a Sportsroof or Mach l.
I use to own a solid 71 or 72 Grande for a short time. I stumbled into when a transplanted California girl had it in my buddy’s shop and didn’t want to spend the money to get the suspension fixed so she decided to sell it. At first she told me $800 but when push came to shove she stood firm at $1k. She said “I’m not greedy, I’m needy”. I ponied up the funds and got it running in no time. I think I spent $500 or so getting it road worthy and drove it for a while before selling it for $4500 I think. I probably should have held onto it but oh well.
I was pleasantly surprised at what a great ride it had. I had only had 65-68 Mustangs up until that point the factory ride on the first gen Mustangs is a long way from luxurious but the Grande was head and shoulders above the 1st gens. It was a Cadillac ride comparatively speaking. The Grande’s, being the top of the line Mustang was very well appointed with a 351C, FMX, PS, PB, PW, AC that worked and every other bell and whistle FoMoCo could stuff in it.
VERY few had power windows.
You are correct. That was the first thing I noticed when I looked inside. From there the car kept getting better and better, clapped out front suspension aside. Zero rust, zero Bondo and optioned to the hilt.
It looks like a nice car. 71-73’s don’t get normal “Mustang love” but they’re starting to grow on me. I wish there were a couple of interior shots and a couple of engine photos… by 73 the only 351’s available where the H code 2barrel and detuned Q code 4barrel… not a race car by any stretch, but certainly would be a fun little cruiser- I like it
Agree. Starting to warm up to these ‘71-‘73 Mustangs. This one has some potential for sure.
looks like a nice survivor and with a picture of pops too boot. a set of 500 wheels and a good detail and just drive it
3/4 front drivers side view as it sits on the trailer shows exactly where the mustang 2 front end styling came from. Just smaller, a rebodied pinto with better front suspension basically.
Still not a fan of 71-73 ponys, though interesting what one commenter said about the nice ride.
If only this was a Mach 1 and not a Grande, i truly love the 71-73 Mach 1,s preferably 71-72,s because of the front grill, and stripe package those years, not so much the coupe style in these years, still tho this coupe is in really good shape, especially for living in the Northeast.
need to see more pictures!! including the undercarriage. does the AC work? any other mechanical work needed to be road worthy?
Agreed.
This auction doesn’t live up to the Barn Find regular standard of plenty of useful pictures. Probably too far away for the BF photographers to visit.
DOES THE FLOOR PANS OR TRUNK FLOOR BEEN REPLACED. DO THEY SHOWS SIGNS OF RUSTING OUTOR FRAME REPAIRS NEEDED? DUE TO AGE OR MOISTURE DAMAGE?
DOES THE AC WORK? ARE THERE ANY OTHER MECHANICAL REPAIRS NEEDED TO MAKE IT ROAD WORTHY? NEED MORE PICS ARE NEEDED INCLUDING INTERIOR AND UNDERCARRIAGE. ESPECIALLY CLOSE UPS TO ANY APPARENT RUST AREAS. THANK YOU.. IT IS MY FAVORITE MUSTANG STYLE, WHICH I KNOW DISAGREES WITH ALOT OF MUSTANG COLLECTORS….
HOW FAR IS THE LOCATION OF THE MUSTANG FROM CINCINNATI OHIO?
hi! i’ll have information regarding the AC on Monday. . we are trying to post more photos of interior, engine etc. I noticed light rust on the frame as expected in a Pennsylvania car of this vintage. As far as mechanical repairs required, everything is operational but should be gone over carefully due to the length of time that the car has been untouched. It appears that all filters were changed along with the oil right before the car was parked in long term storage. Note that the floors are all solid along with trunk floor. The tires will need to be replaced due to age, but this is all standard maintenance for an older car.
btw: cincinnati to latrobe is a 5hr drive +/-
I just received feedback on the AC. . The car started easily but the blower motor for the heat/ac did not turn on. . All of the ac equipment is intact, but i can’t confirm that it works or not. I assume that it will need to be charged, and the blower issue could just be a fuse. hope this helps
jim
more photos are to be posted on the barn finds auction website (hopefully). If they do not appear, please send me an email and i will send them directly via email. Regarding mechanical repairs necessary: everything is functional, but the car should be carefully gone over due to the length of time in storage. Obviously the tires will need to be replaced due to age along with other rubber parts that dry out over time. The floor pans appear solid along with the trunk floor, and all appear to be original. The AC is an unknown, but i will have an answer for that on Monday. .
I wish I could post a pic of mine. Same dark metallic blue, but with a halo baby blue vinyl top. 351 2V was quick once I added duals.
A 73 3512V is gonna need more than dual exhaust to be quick, I’m sure it’ll still be fun tho. A slight increase in camshaft and a intake and 4 barrel swap will get it closer to “quick”
I keep trying to contact the seller , but each time I try to log in , it goes to another auction page. Anybody know his email or cell phone number ?
It looks like you just have a login but you need an active membership to contact sellers. Sign and then it will work. Thanks!
At 64, I’ve owned Ponys since I was 16 to this day, a 40th Anniversary GT Conv. As I’ve almost always been a performance oriented guy, and have never liked the front grill of the 73’s, this one checks all the boxes except my bank account atm.
I’m really liking this Grande’ in this colour and looking like just a nice Mustang. And for it to reportedly have a 351 Cleveland (?) it would be pretty cool to add this one.
I had one these and it was brown.
it was reliable and comfortable.
I recall the gas filler cap would get stolen on these all the time.
I do recall when it rained I used to have problems with water in the distributor cap.
The northeast rust bug started eating mine.
Traded it in for a plymouth horizon.
The reserve is off! And additional photos have been added to the gallery.
have any more pictures ever been listed? what about rust and does it have AC? i never received an answer.
DICK MILLER
513-256-5228
DOES THE MUSTANG START UP RIGHT AWAY NOW THAT YOU HAVE DRIVEN IT? IS THE ENGINE QUIET WITH NO LIFTER OR VALVE TAPPING? DOES IT BLOW OUT ANY BLUE SMOKE OR WHITE SMOKE WHEN RUNNING? WHAT ABOUT BLACK SMOKE? DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO OF THE ENGINE STARTING AND RUNNING?
DICK MILLER
513-256-5228
DOES THE MUSTANG START UP RIGHT AWAY NOW THAT YOU HAVE DRIVEN IT? IS THE ENGINE QUIET WITH NO LIFTER OR VALVE TAPPING? DOES IT BLOW OUT ANY BLUE SMOKE OR WHITE SMOKE WHEN RUNNING? WHAT ABOUT BLACK SMOKE? DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO OF THE ENGINE STARTING AND RUNNING?
DICK MILLER