Carport Find: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The Mach 1 originated as a performance-oriented option on the Ford Mustang in 1969. Ford first used the name “Mach 1” earlier that year in its display of a concept car called the “Levacar Mach I” at the Ford Rotunda. Along with the rest of the Mustang lineup, the Mach 1 got a major facelift in 1971 as represented by the seller’s car. We’re told this one ran well until it was parked six years ago. With some luck and a scrub brush, this might be a presentable, running car in short order. Located in Santa Clarita, California, the Ford is offered here on Facebook Marketplace for $17,000.

For the fifth year in a row (1971), Mustang sales were down at 150,000 units. One of the bright spots was the Mach 1, in its third year, which saw 36,500 copies built or a quarter of all production. The model was available only in the SportRoof (aka fastback) body style and came with a variety of engine options, beginning with the 302 cubic inch V8 and going all the way up through the 429. We don’t know which engine is in the seller’s car, but if it’s original, it could be a 351, the most popular choice.

Some of the notables on the restyled Mach 1 for 1971 included a color-keyed urethane front “spoiler” bumper and front fender and hood trim, a Honeycomb grille in black with “Sportlamps”, a hood with dual scoops, racing-style side mirrors, and a bunch of Mach 1 decals and markings. We’re told this Ford is complete and was a running automobile when it found its way under the carport covering where it is now. No visible signs of rust are present, and the body, paint, and interior may look passable once cleaned up. Not perfect, by any means, but a machine you could take to Cars & Coffee to show them how Mustangs were made 50 years ago.