UPDATE – Brad has decided to lower his asking price to $4,800! He also wanted to confirm that this Mustang does indeed have the 302 V8 which is paired to a three-speed transmission.
After sitting in this Indiana barn for 30+ years, this 1973 Mustang Convertible is going to need a full restoration, but it’s complete and could be a fun project to tackle. Reader Brad O found it in the barn and was able to buy it. The previous owner claimed to have driven it into the barn and that it didn’t have any mechanical issues when parked. It looks like it’s shared the barn with another convertible (early Mustang?), so perhaps they parked them one winter and simply never pulled them back out? We may never know the full story, but if you’d love to have this barn find, you can message Brad via the form below!
What Makes It Special? This 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible was pulled into the original owner’s barn approximately 30 or more years ago and has not been started or driven since. The original owner said there were no mechanical issues when he parked it there. The car has dirt, dust, and debris inside the car, but the seats, dash, and inside appear to be fine. The convertible top has deteriorated and has a hole in it. This vehicle came with air conditioning as well. I have the original title, as well as the original books it came with. This car seems like a perfect opportunity for someone who wants to restore a vehicle with all the parts on it.
Body Condition: The body of the car has some rust spots and the rear quarter panels are the worst. The convertible top has a hole in it and needs to be replaced. The underside does have some surface rust, but I do not see anything rusted through.
Mechanical Condition: The original owner pulled the car inside his barn 30-40 years ago and said there weren’t any issues with the car then. The vehicle has sat inside the barn ever since and has not been started or driven. When pulling the car up on the flatbed wrecker, one of the rear brakes were locked up but everything else was good.
Rust is a major issue for this one, but being a Mustang means repair panels are readily available. There were less than 12k convertibles built in ’73 and there can’t be too many of those that were optioned with the 302 V8 and AC. It’s a bit too much for Brad to take on, so he’s decided to cut it loose. If you have any questions or would like to make him an offer, please message him via the form below!
- Asking Price: $4,800
- Location: Arcadia, Indiana
- Mileage: 102,000
- Title Status: Clean
- VIN: 3F03F149695
Do you have a barn find project that you can’t finish? Please consider listing it here on Barn Finds!
I want to know what is behind it
Looks to me like a 65 mustang convertible behind it.
’65 or’66 Mustang ‘vert.
Me three!!! J-
Wow! A barn find on Barn Finds! Cool. How much can mice do? – I wonder if there is some sort of formula for this…
What panels are available? Maybe for 1965 to 1970 mustangs. There is not much out there for ’73 models other than full piece floor pan and front fenders. 1973 was just a little different than the 71 and 71 models regarding sheet metal.
Remember the rust rule – the rust you can’t see is usually twice as bad as what is visible.
Good news is that it looks to be a 3 speed with a traction lock rear axle.
One of the few 71-73 Mustang ragtops with the optional sunroof.
You beat me to it, Ted!
We’ll share the daily double me boyo…….he he…………
LOL. Perhaps the precursor to the front flip-back style soft top my Wrangler has.
Factory air car also.
Red Mustang convert with air. This would be a treat to have fully restored, but at what cost? Judging by the paw prints and hay strewn about, there would certainly be damage from critters over the ensuing decades….And does anybody believe that there were no mechanical issues and this car was simply driven into the building and forgotten? Who does that with two Mustang convertibles? At least the price is not crackhead pricing. Betcha this would sell immediately if the seller pulled it out and hosed it off.
Brad-
If you’re serious about selling, how ’bout knocking the dust off and get bizzy with your camera.
Just sayin…….
Jim Z-
I was told to leave the car as original as possible, even with the dirt and other debris. If you think washing it off and cleaning up the car would make a difference, I will certainly do it. I was told as a true “Barn Find”, to leave it as is. I welcome any and all comments to help sell the car. As stated earlier, this car was pulled in the barn because the owner bought a new one. It would make for a neat restored car but I don’t have the time with four children. Thanks for the advice!
Brad-
Having sold cars all my adult life, I can only say that you have to put your best-foot-forward when wooing buyers. A single pic showing the as-is dirty condition is cool, but help potential buyers imagine what it looks like when all cleaned up but yet still in as-is condition. And more pictures = better success in selling. Good Luck, my friend!