The Mach 1 was introduced by Ford in 1969 to add some sizzle to the Mustang “pony car”. Its sales had been declining since 1966 due to increased competition and a market that was quickly becoming saturated. This 1973 edition is a project that’s been in storage for maybe 10 years, but it’s got a recently rebuilt 429 cubic inch V8 under the hood to sweeten the pot. Another nifty tip from “numskal”.
Adding the Mach 1 was probably a good idea for Ford, but it didn’t help the Mustang to recover market share. Sales continued to decline to a product line low in 1973 of less than 135,000 units. In ’73, the Mach 1 continued to attract attention, and 35,000 deliveries were made. But the engine choices had diminished and a 351 V8 was the largest one offered before the Mach 1 and the rest of the Mustang lineup lost inches and pounds (800 of the latter to be precise).
This Mustang appears to be a stalled restoration. It was painted a decade ago, but the photos don’t help demonstrate how solid the finish and the sheet metal are now. The interior is in pieces and the seller says it “needs to be put back together” but probably more is needed. We don’t know whether a 302 or 351 was under the hood previously, but the 429 there now only has about 500 miles, so we assume it runs.
In addition to the big-block motor, this Ford also has a C6 automatic transmission, mechanical status unknown. If you like these larger Mustangs from the 1971-73 period in the car’s development, this one can be found in San Bernardino, California. It’s available here on craigslist for $12,000. If the body and paint are fine, this could be a reasonable purchase to finish.
Big car now w big motor.
I like it
Cali is less rust too…
I would consider but a minimum 2000 to ship home makes it harder.
I am also down to three muscle cars…,
So will pass
I could see pumping up the 429
and putting a roll bar inside and making a salt racer 😏
Only 6 photos? Odometer broken.
If the motor & trans are what they say I’m thinking the Millennium Falcon rides again!
The vast majority of 429’s were put in large cars that were cruisers. Dropping one into a 1973 Mach 1 isn’t going to change that without modifying the engine and other components of the drivetrain to optimize the combination.
Steve R
This is a lot of car for the asking price. The appreciation on these cars is a bit late in coming, but it is happening now. It should be a nice car with a big engine when done, with enough upside to pay for it..
Seems to me that a whole lot more information about the motor would be helpful.
looks like wet mess under the hood. looks like poor workman ship to me
Who rebuilds a motor and doesn’t paint it to look nice and fresh, at least the water pump. ( Just sayin )
Good point, and after looking at that motor more closely, It doesn’t appear that the water pump has been off anytime recently. The block and heads also look funky. Hard to go through a motor without cleaning it up. If I were interested in this car, I would certainly want some sort of documentation related to the claimed rebuild.