Documented Barn Find: 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1

• Seller: Laura Lee’s Auto Sales (Contact)
• Location: Mariposa, California
• Mileage: 102,899 Shown
• Chassis #: 2F05H143963
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 351-2V V8
• Transmission: FMX Select Shift Automatic Transmission

The redesigned 1971 Mustang was a bit of a departure from the previous Mustang’s looks, but that isn’t to say these cars didn’t have a big presence, especially in Mach 1 trim. This 1972 example looks like it could be a fun driver with a little work and some detailing. Located in Mariposa, California, this Mustang is described as a literal barn find that remained with an elderly owner until his passing, after which their family extracted it from the barn and sold it. It is now offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive with a clean California title and an asking price of $17,250.

This is a genuine Mach 1, reportedly confirmed by a Deluxe Marti Report included with the sale. According to the seller, the car was built at Ford’s Dearborn plant in November 1971 and sold new through Dick Anderson Ford-Mercury in Madera, California. The VIN is listed as 2F05H143963, identifying it as a 1972 Mustang SportsRoof equipped with the H-code 351 Cleveland 2V V8.

Factory equipment reportedly includes an FMX SelectShift automatic transmission, Bright Blue Metallic paint, a black vinyl bucket-seat interior, a 2.75 rear axle, and San Jose DSO. The Marti Report is said to also list desirable options, such as the Convenience Group, power steering, power front disc brakes, SelectAire air conditioning, Sport Deck fold-down rear seat, electric rear window defroster, AM/FM stereo radio, console, tinted glass, and instrumentation group.

Inside, the black bucket-seat interior appears complete and presents as driver-quality. The fold-down Sport Deck rear seat remains in place, and the car retains the console and factory instrumentation. Someone has added a more modern radio, speakers, and drilled holes in the dash for additional gauges. Fixing the holes in the lower dash could prove to be challenging, so reinstalling some extra gauges or plugs might be the easiest option.

The seller states that the Mach 1 starts easily, runs strong, drives well, and that the FMX automatic shifts properly through all gears. Since purchase, a mechanic has reportedly rebuilt the heads, rebuilt the radiator, replaced the shroud and hoses, performed a tune-up with new plugs, wires, and rotor, and rebuilt the two-barrel carburetor.

The body is described as a solid California car, with the floors, trunk, and cowl said to be rust-free. The photos show an older repaint in red, while the original factory color was Bright Blue Metallic. The seller is upfront that this is not a freshly restored show car and notes that the car has not been detailed, paint-corrected, staged, or professionally photographed. Instead, the photos show it much as it was purchased and driven home.

For enthusiasts who value solid bones and factory documentation over a polished restoration, this Mach 1 has a lot going for it. It is a real 1972 Mach 1, equipped with a 351 Cleveland V8, desirable factory options, and California history. The next owner could enjoy it as-is while sorting details over time, or return it to its original Bright Blue Metallic color and have a real show stopper.

With a running 351 Cleveland, recent work, clean California title, and reportedly rust-free status, this Ford looks like a worthwhile starting point for someone who wants a usable project rather than a disassembled restoration.