I don’t know what our resident Ford and Ford Mustang expert and multiple Ford owner, Bob_in_TN, would think about a Grande version of a big last-year-first-generation Mustang but this appears to be a nice one. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Maricopa, Arizona and also here on Facebook with a lot of great photos. The current bid price is $11,300.
I really like this era as I’ve mentioned too many times in the past. And also, I like these Sans-a-Belt-era cars, the Broughams and Grandes and opera windows and vinyl tops and all of that added leisure suit-era bling. By 1973, the Ford Mustang had grown into a huge, unrecognizable “pony car”, more like a Clydesdale Car than a pony car. By 1973, the U.S. auto industry was starting to be burdened with actually having to follow some rules as far as safety and emissions (I know, the horror!) and horsepower was way down from previous years.
Still, I have to believe that most Barn Finds readers would take a 1973 Mustang over a new 1974 Ford Mustang II. Am I right or am I right? For once, maybe. As big as the 1971 through 1973 Mustangs appear to be over the original ’64-1/2 through 1966 versions – both are first-generation Mustangs despite the incredible design difference – the later cars were only eight inches longer overall.
Plaid seat inserts would have been so perfect in this car but the solid two-tone look is nice, as conservative as most owners of this car may have been at the time. The back seat appears to be in almost-new condition and the front seats also look great from what we can see. This car has 59,398 miles or 58,398 miles, according to the seller – who lists it twice with different results – and it has no rust, no leaks, and the seller is the second owner of this all-original car.
The seller lists the VIN on their Facebook Marketplace listing but not on the eBay link in case anyone was interested in seeing that. This car has Ford’s 250 cubic-inch inline-six with 94 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Cruise-o-Matic three-speed automatic with floor shifter won’t make this car win any races when paired to that six-cylinder, but this isn’t a muscle car. I really like this one but it’s way above my fun car budget. Bob, or any of our Barn Finds family of readers, what have I missed on this Grande?
Well Scotty, I wouldn’t call myself a Mustang expert, but I will admit that I like them. Even the less-loved models like the II’s and the “big” 71-73 Mustangs. I think Scotty has well-described this model. It is a good example of its model years, in the upscale Grande trim. It just screams “1970’s” given the brown color and that it was, in a sense, a slightly different version of the then-popular two-door personal luxury coupes… and less of a “pony car.” One can appreciate how and why the Mustang II came to be.
This is a very nice example. A six cylinder!! Dare to be different, you won’t see yourself coming and going at the next Mustang show.
just a question from a former sevier county resident.could i get
your take on a problem with a 92 ford tempo ? drive it for 30 to
45 minutes ,shut it off ,wont start for hour or so. one auto tech
thought circuit board in module mounted on distributor had a
hairline crack that gets wider when hot,then closes when cool.
you ever run across this ?
Needs one of these:
https://youtu.be/SZoV6E5DDXI
These were designed when the ex-GM guy, Bunky Knudsen, was in charge. I think he wanted to kill off the Mustang! I never minded these cars, but they definitely helped Camaro sales.
Ok, I like the Mustang Ii. I really like these, but I wd want a V8 if I were going to spring for this model. Love the color. Lots of owners put the Ram Air hood on, I like that too.
Saw one the other day “grande” pkg. Had a V8
For all those that say this is BIG, The New Ones Are BIGGER
Bigger yes, but a ton faster!
I’ve always loved this generation of the Mustang and Cougar. The Mustang Grande and the Cougar XR7 are my particular favorites, and I love this Mustang, mostly for its beautiful, sooo original condition. If only it had the V8, I’d sell my 94 Regal and 94 Cutlass to give it a space in my garage next to my 74 Cutlass Supreme coupe! Alas, though I’m no speed demon, I shudder to think how slow this 6 cylinder car would be if driving with the A/C on.
But that doesn’t change the fact that the car is such a beautiful original…
I actually like the Mustang II just don’t get a 4 cyl automatic. Unless you like being passed by kids on schwins. Dad’s 5th and final mustang was a 76 hatchback. Nice looking car , good build quality by the standards of the times , but a 4cly auto. Hence why it was the last
Oh and the 71 – 73 notchback always remind me of Mary Tyler Moore
Original Mustang was a 1970 hardtop, later years she had a 1973 convertible. Her vert was sold at a Mecum auction a few years ago. Nice car, similar to a 71 I owned back then.
The only good thing about this 73 Mee maw 6 cylinder Mustang is at least it’s not a 1974. And that it appears to be rust free. I picked up a 1969 Grande that someone had given a rebuilt 351. It was a little dangerous. There are better year Mustangs out there available IMO. But still a good find.
I like it as is.
Still fun; albeit slow fun but… fun enough.
Want to go fast, pony up twice the price.
Likely not many like this survive.
SOLD for $15,099.
Interesting way to market a car – give it a Facebook page.
Nice cruiser that will never fail to turn heads. Just leave the hood closed at Cars & Coffee.
My very 1st Mustang, 1973 Grande with the 351C 2V, auto, same as this car, color combo, 129 mph top many times, never 130. I was 17 yrs old, it was a great car to grow up with. My Dad owned a body shop. We added the ram air hood, rear wing spoiler and front lower spoiler, added duel exhaust, added 60 series tires on 8” E/T rims. Changed the color. Did Mach 1 stripping. Car looked awesome.
a 1973 Grande like this one with a 351C, that you had would have been pretty nice. definitely better than this 6 with an automatic