Automotive perfection. Does such a thing exist? That is the question posed by this 1971 Mustang Mach 1. Its presentation is superb, but what hides below the surface raises the stakes considerably. The original owner ordered this classic with the 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air, upping the ante by specifying the optional Drag Pack. This was as good as it got in 1971, producing a car that demanded respect wherever it went. Where it is set to go now is to a new home, with the seller listing the Mach 1 here on eBay in Woodruff, South Carolina. Bidding sits at $68,000, and with the reserve met, this is a “winner takes all” auction.
The First Generation Mustang underwent several major upgrades during its production life, with the last appearing for the 1971 model year. These later changes were undertaken to allow the Mustang to accommodate larger engines, and it is fair to say that without them, this car wouldn’t exist in its current form. It commenced its active life in Florida before finding its way to South Carolina. It hibernated in its new home until undergoing a meticulous restoration in the early 2000s. There are many ways to tackle such a process, but commencing it with a candidate that retains its original, rust-free steel is undoubtedly the best. That was the case with this classic. The owner ensured every panel was laser-straight before applying a fresh coat of its factory Light Pewter Metallic paint. This is a subtle and restrained shade, but the spoilers and stripes add a sense of purpose. Faulting this car’s presentation is virtually impossible. The lack of flaws and defects suggests it has led a sheltered existence since work ended. The tinted glass is as spotless as the rest of the exterior. Although the wheels aren’t original, they suit this car’s character and hint that there might be more to it than meets the eye.
The entry-level V8 available to 1971 Mach 1 buyers was the 302ci powerplant that offered respectable performance. However, those with bolder ambitions could let their wallets do the talking in an era when muscle cars began fading into the automotive background. That was the approach taken by this car’s original owner. They selected the 429 Cobra Jet Ran Air option, adding the optional Drag Pack with the 4.11 Detroit Locker rear end and four-speed manual transmission to create a fire-breathing monster. Was it fast? A ¼-mile ET of 13.8 seconds confirms this car was no pushover in its prime. This Mustang’s drivetrain is original, with the 429 and four-speed receiving a complete rebuild during the restoration. The engine bay presents beautifully, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The Mach 1 runs and drives perfectly and is ready to hit the road with the winning bidder behind the wheel.
The positive vibes continue inside this Mustang, with the seller identifying a crack in the wheel as the only defect. It undoubtedly received a retrim during the restoration, and the included Window Sticker and Marti Report confirm this. The original owner ordered the car trimmed in White, but it seems the seller preferred Black. That might annoy purists, but it hasn’t stifled interest from potential buyers. Other additions include a radio upgrade from the original AM unit to a factory AM/FM. A previous owner added air conditioning, which was not an option on cars ordered with the 429 Super Cobra Jet powerplant. They integrated the system to provide a factory appearance, but the seller states removing it for a more authentic look is possible. Otherwise, this interior needs nothing.
The current high bid on this 1971 Mustang Mach 1 is not pocket change, and describing it as affordable would insult the intelligence of Barn Finds readers. However, it has reached that figure following twenty-four bids, and there is ample time for the bid total and price to climb. I would typically quote a potential sale price, but I am leaving that to you. It will be fascinating to gauge your feedback and see if anyone can hit the nail on the head.
I prefer a 69 or 70 stang to the 71.
BUT big but here,
The clour of this stang has me rethinking that.
The colour hilights the curves and the body lines, and offers a look of refinement added with the look of don’t F with me.
If I had a place to park it I would be all over this. Wow, nicely done!
I hear ya Dave, rumble of exhaust alone would make you think twice about picking on it. You’d very likely get embarrassed quickly.
I’ll guess $76,000
This baby is one of my top cars to adopt. This is one of those cars that if I had endless amount of money. I would be toolin around in this as soon as spring time rolls around.
These are great to look at. All the planes and surfaces work well together. Harder than heck to see out of. Here’s one with all the right stuff. Added air may be its only knock.
they lived in FL
Drive faster…lol
What a beauty!! And a manual.
Looks nice and clean,big motor etc but not a fan of this body style…
I have to agree nice looking car but I never cared for the look. Too much back end.
Damn, that’s one fine looking Stang there!
The 429SCJ must be a hoot to run through the gears 👍
In the early 80’s there was one that looked just like this on a gravel road north of whitesville MO. I never stopped to look at it to see if it was a manual or automatic but it did have the 429 ram air decals on the hood. The main reason I never looked at it any further was the fact I did not like Mustangs or Cameros, everybody wanted them and I was not a crowd follower. I basically liked whatever I could afford to drive back then but I was really into ford dentsides
I had a ’65… Cousin had this exact ’71 car in yellow he bought new.
What a BEAST!
I saw a black ’71 Mach 1, 429 Cobra Jet, go through the Mecum auction, this weekend. Sold for $60,000, I believe.
Absolutely beautiful. Leave it alone!! The air can’t deprive it of that many ponies can it? My mom had a 71 notchback with just a 302 with a 3 speed floor shift. Wasn’t a rocket ship like this one but for a stock 302 it was fun to drive. The shifter in your hand absolutely enhances the experience and all that motor has got to be a blast. Way out of my price range though. Hope it doesn’t become just another trailer queen although for that kind of money it probably will. Real shame not taking advantage of all that fun.
If one can get past the knee-jerk “these Mustangs got too big” mindset, to me the styling on these was quite attractive, especially in Mach 1 trim. The long, straight lines coupled with the flat roofline made them look sleek and cool.
Wow Detroit Locker w those low gears⚙️ , 4sp and top motor my goodness. Rocket 🚀 indeed
w * Corinthian vinyl seats 💺
I’m seeing quite a few cars going through Mecum that are totally redone that are selling for far less than what I see fixers and so called originals on here lately but hey, everyone has an opinion.
What an absolute tire roaster that baby is. What’s not to love? The only downside, I’d lament every mile I put on it … yes please to this monster!
This color is absolutely the best on these cars, we think. It’s a beauty.
Congratulations to the future owner!
This color or red (like the one on Diamonds Are Forever) are my two go-to colors on a ’71 Mach I; the rest you can have. The color, 429 Ram Air, drag pack, 4-speed…this would be the ’71-’73 Mustang that would pique my interest.
Hey Dan I have one of the original 12 of these cars that was used in diamonds are forever I raced it for a few years and now it sits waiting for a complete restoration these are really nice Mustangs I also have a 71 Mach 1 with the 351 4-speed Ram Air option I guess I will always be a fan of these 7173 Mustangs have a good day Larry
No dash pics but if the factory style A/C compressor is any indication, I’m hopeful the dashboard and under dash integration is as well done and as factory would build. Those steep gears and the engine speed they’d result in at highway speeds was too much for the factory AC to live with, Ford believed. But in this case it makes the car more desirable to me.
I’d drive it, with a SMILE!😃
Love this. Had one in red with a 4 speed. Also had a pewter boss 351. I would have to argue that the 71 BOSS 351 is the top performer for 71. Better balanced and just as fast, if not a tick faster than the big block. I would take this one in heartbeat!
Let’s see….Got 4 of them in my collection. Lime green, dark green, red, & yellow. All 429’s. All Autoworld 1:18 scale. All $100 each. All sweet to look at. But also as close as I’ll ever own to the real deal.
Man you had me drooling at first
Lmbo!!! I achieved my objective then ClassicP! Ya made my day. Thx
Took some courses for programming years ago and there was this very nice woman twice my age who took a liking to me, she invited me to dinner with husband and daughter so her husband pulls up in this beautiful Mach I like this one. Two nights later I’m out at this club and here he walks in with this young babe on his arm. I said to myself, man you gotta get a Mach I
Sounds about right. One of my five roommates in a big house collected the rent money from us each month. The owners of the rental were a nice yuppie couple. I met them after the said roommate moved out without paying them the rent money, and adding insult to injury removed an antique ceiling light that had been in his second floor bedroom. He moved to Chicago driving his silver ’71 Mach I. The young owners couldn’t have been nicer to us.
Finished the story, what happened with you and the woman?
Had a friend that had one just our of high school. At that time it was fastest car I had ever been in. Had to sit and wait for a cop after roasting the tires in front of him. We blew the clutch. Cop was so interested in the car he didn’t give us a ticket. My friend would always put a C note as we called them(100 dollar bill) on the dash and said ” when I dump the clutch if you can grab it you can have it”. I never saw anyone get the money. Factory built dragster even had line locks on the factory shifter. Was a BA car for sure. And I didn’t even like mustangs.
Damn… that one checks ALL the boxes for me!
-at least 81,000! This is a sweetheart.
This appears to be nice restoration. Couple of core items on this SCJ that has me questioning what is original to the car. The description is really light on details. Following should be addressed, missing rev limiter. Does it still have the 4:11’s? Does the oil cooler come with the car. Obviously, it was cast aside to install the AC. The AC install appears to be factory, nicely done. It has an aftermarket Hurst shifter, not the factory Hurst unit. No mention if the engine is numbers matching, was it rebuilt properly does it retain the mechanical cam, 780 Holley etc?. Lots of missing details, but still a nice Mustang in the description.
Not all came with oil coolers.. and scj had the 4 bolt main block. The 429 pistons was the weak link. They could get cracks. The skirt design sucks. I had mine made. No more problems
One should proceed with caution on this one. A few items are not on the car. Rev limiter is glaring. Should have one. There is no evidence that it had one. BIG ?? An eyes on inspection would be prudent.
I know why my brother built a 429 for his 73 Mach 1.He raced it at SIR For a while then quit and drove in town with no mufflers.Every head in the store turned when I started it.The charcoal grey metallic with stripes,black accented hood, louvers and spoiler gives a fast as F look.Sure miss my brother Gary and his Mach 1.
I know the feeling, years ago I had a Mazda Capella RE coupe, unofficially called an RX2.
Due to some spirited driving on dirt roads, I broke the exhaust pipe, just cut it off, and that was that for several months.
Until I had to pick my misses up from the GPO in Brisbane at 5pm.
It was a sea of pedestrians across the road, I couldn’t get thru.
So a 12A rotary at full song without any mufflers did nothing, so I dropped the clutch at full revs, suddenly the sea of people parted, and on the other side was my wife talking to the CEO of the Comm bank.
Needless to say she paid for an exhaust the next day.
I got the same motor in a 77 Ford 4×4 f150 with super 10 4 speed and devorst transfer case ,I got the truck from my dad that’s what he drove to the hospital when my mom was having me he had it since it was new and did the motor and tranny swap some time ago , and with 36 10.50 15 inch mud tires it will burn the tires and I meen burn the tires all the way to 4th gear and when it finally gets traction in 4th u can throw it back in 3rd and berry the Speedo I’ve seen it all the way back to 15 20 miles a hour plenty of times great motor one of my favorites
Had the fortune to drive one of these for a few weeks when our dealership had one traded in. Pretty quick to say the least. Couldn’t see out the back and the one we got traded in had the window louvers which made it even worse. But I suppose the goal was to look forward in these anyway. But still to this day the strongest power plant I have had under my food.
Sold $73,600 27bids.