The seller of this 1971 Mustang Mach 1 is the car’s third owner. It has been in storage for a while, but it has been dragged into the light of day and returned to a roadworthy state. It isn’t perfect, but its lack of significant rust issues makes it a prime candidate for restoration. Located in Trumbull, Connecticut, you will find the Mach 1 listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has now reached $9,850, and with the reserve now met, a new home is beckoning for this classic.

The Bright Red Mustang isn’t perfect, but it is a car that is loaded with positive points. Let’s start by talking about what we can’t see. This is a 1st Generation Mustang that appears to be rock solid. The owner supplies some photos of the floors and frame, and while there is some surface corrosion present, there is no penetrating rust. Everything looks structurally sound, including the torque boxes. The panels wear some dings and dents, but these would appear to be repairable. The same is true when it comes to exterior rust issues. There are a few spots around the rear wheel housings and in the hood, but these should be addressed with simple patches rather than wholesale panel replacement. Sure, there will be some cutting and welding involved, but it all looks pretty straightforward. The rear bumper could stand a trip to the platers, but the rest of the trim and the glass looks presentable. One of the great attractions of this car is that none of its issues appear to be urgent. That means that the buyer could conceivably drive the Mustang during the upcoming Summer and save the restoration work as a Winter project.

Before I considered spending one red cent on this Mustang’s interior, I would be inclined to treat the whole thing to a deep clean. You can be sure that there will be pieces that require replacement, but I think that a few days of hard work could save a lot of money down the track. Besides, there’s something quite therapeutic about detailing the interior of a classic car. The dash pad is cracked, and the owner could choose to repair it with a product like Polyvance, or they could hand over $280 for a high-quality reproduction pad. The wheel is also cracked, and it will be the owner’s choice as to whether they tackle a restoration or replace it. A reproduction standard wheel will cost around $300, so it might be worth hunting eBay for a good secondhand one. The door trims have been cut for speakers, and how this is tackled will depend on how fixated the buyer is on originality. A set of speakers would hide this sin, but replacement trims will set you back about $590 a pair. The rear trims are badly discolored, as is the console lid. This might be a case of trying your hand with a plastic dye because the results might be pretty surprising. The rest of the trim, the dash, and the carpet all look quite acceptable for a driver-quality car. The Mustang was ordered with air conditioning, but this currently doesn’t function.

Even though emission laws were starting to make themselves felt, a ’71 Mach 1 could still be a good thing if the original owner ticked the right boxes on the order sheet. This one seems to have gotten it pretty right because what we find hiding under the hood is a 351-4V V8 that should be producing 285hp. This power finds its way to the road via a 3-speed automatic transmission, while this classic also comes outfitted with power steering and power front disc brakes. This Mach 1 isn’t a hairy-chested, fire-breathing beast, but there’s not a lot wrong with a 15.3-second ¼-mile ET. That’s what this combination should be capable of producing. After sitting for an extended period, the Mach 1 has been treated to plenty of TLC to return it to a roadworthy state. It has received a new fuel tank and fuel lines. There’s a shiny new carburetor sitting atop the intake, and the Mustang was also treated to a tune-up. The result is that this is a classic that is ready to hit the road. I tend to be quite conservative on these things, so I would have the vehicle inspected for my own peace of mind before attempting any extended journeys.

By 1971, the 1st Generation Mustang had grown under the “bigger is better” policy that was rife at the time. This was one of the legacies of “Bunkie” Knudsen, who served as the President of Ford when the final design was approved. Many industry insiders have said that this approval drove a wedge between Knudsen and Henry Ford II. Usually, Henry hit the “go” button, and Knudsen’s actions were seen as usurping Ford’s power. It seems more than a coincidence that Knudsen signed-off on the new Mustang and found himself unemployed shortly afterward. That makes the 1971 Mustang Mach 1 an interesting car from a historical perspective because it was born out of a time of internal chaos within the company. This one looks like a pretty decent find, and it would suit someone who wants to tackle a straightforward restoration with their own bare hands. If you are that person, maybe you should consider dropping a bid. The bidding at present looks quite promising, and it could be the chance to own a 1st Generation Mustang for a relative song.