This 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 seems to be in the most normal of barn find ranges that you could come up with. Found in Nevada, but currently, in New Lothrop, Michigan, the seller is asking $8,200 buy it now, which seems reasonable. A barn find Mustang for under ten thousand, with 60,000 miles, and a clear title, it seems like all transactions should be like this. You can view more here on eBay.
There isn’t really any power going on under the hood, but the seller says the engine turns freely. They claim it is a numbers matching 351 cubic inch, 2 valve V8, but instead of having a four-barrel carburetor on it, it only has a two. An automatic transmission moves the car. There is a lot of dust under the hood, but nothing looks detrimental to the process of eventually getting it to fire up.
It is hard to determine what is going on in the inside. There are very few photos of the interior, and the one above shows rusty floorboards and a few missing trim pieces, but there are seats in the car. Other than that, you might have to contact the seller to get a better idea of what is going on. They are honest in the listing noting the rust in the floorboards and a handful of other places around the vehicle.
The price does seem practical for what you are getting. The car is missing a front bumper, grill, and valance, and of course some interior trim. Another note the listing states is that the paint is original. Once this Mustang gets a bath it should clean up nicely and look presentable. It might be hard to say how much time, money, and effort needs to go into it, but it seems like a decent start.
How on Earth can a Mach 1 have a two barrel carb?
My ’74 Mach 1 came with a 2 barrel Holley 5200 mounted on a 2.8 liter V-6. The V-6 was standard, but you could request the four cylinder and get small credit on your purchase.
Sorry should have stated a V8. Pre 74
the standard motor for the Mach 1 was a 302 2 barrel. The 351 could’ve come with 2 bbl. or 4 bbl. optional in ’71
I own a numbers matching 1972 Mach 1 Ram Air with a 351 Cleveland 2 barrel motor, 3 speed manual transmission and a 3.25 rear differential. I have owned it since 1985. I put 4 barrel heads, intake, Holley 750 carburetor, Hooker super comp headers and a 3.70 Posi-Traction center section. I also replaced the standard duty clutch with a Hayes racing unit but kept the 3 speed manual. I have a 4 speed top loader out of a 1970 Mustang with the low first gear and close ratio. I just haven’t changed it yet. There were 24,000+ 2 barrel Mustangs produced in 1972.
Elanor clone comin’ up! Would be great
with a Boss 429 CJ engine and 4-speed
tranny. For the old guys among us, a car
like this was the first Elanor in the 1974
version of Gone In 60 Seconds. Will be
a great project for someone with deep
pockets.
Heard a comment that the Gone In 60 Seconds was a 71 modified to resemble a 67/8? At Shelby American in Vegas they were using 67/8 to reproduce the car. Any truth to a 71/2 or 3 used for the movie?
No, the recent movie, the cars were well documented to be 67 and 68 cars. The original movie did use a 71-73 Mach 1 if memory serves.
As far as 2 barrel carbs, they were factory with a 351 2v and optional with the 351 4v in the early 70s.
A ’72 Mustang w/ 351 Windsor and auto trans was, without any doubt or even a close contest, the absolutely WORST car I have ever owned, and I’ve owned a few in my 84 years. I had to put parts on it to get it to start to be able to drive it to the junk yard at 60,000 miles. Rust EVERYWHERE. Hinge pins wore to the point I had to lock the door so I could lift the door by the outside handle to get it to close. Terrible visibility over the long hood. Kids couldn’t see out the back windows due to low seats. Etc. Etc.
Looks like a decent car and becoming very collectible,great project car for a young millennial wanting to get into the hot-rod market! I’ve seen worse,the sheet metal is there…..
Back in the day 2v 4v etc meant 2 venturi carb or 4 venturi carb
unlike today 2v valve per cylinder or 4 valve
Additionally that engine is a CLEVELAND not 351 Windsor look at position of thermastat outlet, and distance between cylinder heads.
Had 65 Mustang 289. 351 Windsor same basic engine