In 1971, the Mustang received new sheet metal but was still operating off the same platform since 1965. The cars got longer, wider, lower – and heavier than before, a trend in those days. And sales volumes continued to drop, just a shadow of the record-breaker in 1966. The once leader of the market was going up against changing consumer tastes and Ford’s moves to sure up demand weren’t working. That being said, this 1971 Mustang coupe is a survivor-quality car (although it has had one repaint). It presents well and has spent its fair share of time at car shows. Located in New Albany, Ohio, this Ford is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $6,545. Someone new will take the car home. Larry D brings another cool tip our way!
With sales of the Mustang dropping year after year, you would think Ford would have done something dramatic before 1974 when they re-invented the car as a sub-compact. In 1966, they couldn’t build enough of them at 607,000 copies. Five years later, production was 150,000 units, down 36% from just the year before. The “standard” coupe, like the seller’s car, accounted for sales in the 65,000-quantity neighborhood (there was also the new Grande model with the same body).
The original owner of this Mustang checked off quite a few options on the box. Vinyl roof, plaid upholstery, air conditioning, 302 cubic inch V8, automatic transmission, and factory air conditioning are just some of the goodies. We don’t know how long the seller has owned this automobile, but we suspect a while, but he/she has fallen in love with a ’71 Mach 1 that these funds will go toward. The body, paint, and interior all look good and nothing unsightly seems to pop out (except for a crack in the steering wheel).
We’re told the entry-level small-block engine here runs well and this car should be good for most anything, even at 120,000 miles. Due to the lowest production numbers of the whole first generation of the Mustang, the 1971-73s show up less often at gearhead events. For what may end up not being a large investment, you, too, could enjoy some outings to Cars & Coffee in this 51-year-old ‘Stang.
Had some 70’s cars, glad all of them didn’t have plaid seats.
My cousin had a Mustang, but it wasn’t the coupe or Grande model.
Think it was the Fastback Mach 1……we use to race up and down
Route 28 outside of Pittsburgh. Fun times indeed !
How funny! I had a 72 Mach I in 1974 but before that, I used to street race my 69 Charger on Rt. 28 in Natrona Hts.
It’s just a basic Mustang, though well-equipped. And it’s not from a particularly loved model year. And it’s a coupe. And it has the boring whitewalls/ wheel covers. And it is green. But it does have period-correct patterned cloth upholstery.
And considering all of the above, therein lies its appeal. Sure, it’s not a desirable model and it’s not a muscle car. But it is a Mustang in good shape and isn’t expensive; something to be said for that.
Everyone who bemoans today’s prices on collector cars, here’s an opportunity to have what looks to be a nice car at good price. You’d still have fun with it at Cars & Coffee or with the local Mustang club.
I’ve always thought that Ford designers said “super-size me” one too many times at the drive-thru school of car design for the 1971 Mustang model year. One wild swing of the design yo yo in 71 led to the opposite response in 74 – the Mustang II.
Both 71-73 and 74-78: parodies of Mustangs.
I used to hate these in the 70s and 80s. But now they’ve grown on me. Huge yes. But not as ugly as the 70 nose stolen from a Chevy. I used to say these would have been a sharp T Bird and just continue the 69 mustang. I actually like the color and plaid seats.
Fords answer to the Matador.
‘The cars got longer, wider, lower – and heavier than before, a trend in those days.’
It still continues to this day. Civic. Corolla. Ranger. “Compact” trucks. The Minivan grew itself out of a market. Full size trucks are total pigs that make early ’00s products look like compact entries.
The downsizing movement of the late ’70s and mid ’80s was an aberration.
It’s a compulsion with these companies: “moar is better”.
To my mind the 71-73 Mustang is a genuine travesty compared with the original and deserving of every bit of derision thrown it’s way.
They never learned a thing from the period and it appears they just can’t help themselves every time the next generation of a model is designed.
New Trax is 11 in longer, lower, wider [and heavier I suspect] and minus a cylinder for the automotive equivalent of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
To think the trim and clean 77 Impala platform became the bloated mess of a Caprice by the ’90s….
Why manufacturers survey the owners of their cars, one of the most frequently heard comments is people saying they like a particular car but wish it were just a bit bigger.
So the companies accommodate then. I don’t like it either and as you mentioned the corolla and civic now are quite large, we have our fellow consumers to thank.
And, after they are done supersizing the current model, they come out with a smaller, different model, claiming that buyers want a smaller option.
$11,100 now, with 6 days to go.
The Mustang’s cousin, the Mercury Cougar, suffered the same fate..they got bigger and porkier as the years went by, but unlike the Mustang, there was no subcompact version in ’74.
Sorry, but from my age group 1970 was really the last good year for Mustangs, IMO. Maybe the occasional 72 Machs were ok. But this 71 just doesn’t do it for me. Good clean find anyway.
The cougar became a mercury thunderbird. Which became a Lincoln for a while
The Mustang as they begun to look ugly. Im out here.
To all of the people bashing the size and styling of the 71-73 model year they would not be saying that if it was a Boss 351 or a 429CJ Mach 1 and properly optioned convertibles can look pretty good.
THANK YOU! I had a 72 Mach I and a 73 Grande’ 351 and thoroughly enjoyed both.