Hiding in this garage is a classic that has hibernated for over a decade. It is a 1971 Mustang Mach 1 that is complete and features the Ram Air 351 under the hood. The seller acknowledges they will never have the chance to return it to active service, feeling it deserves to go to a new home and an owner who can do it justice. The Mach 1 is listed here on eBay in Gays Mills, Wisconsin. It has attracted one bid of $9,000 at the time of writing in a No Reserve auction. It could be an affordable project candidate if that situation doesn’t intensify.
The Mach 1 joined the Mustang range in 1969, striking a chord with potential buyers. A sales volume of 72,458 vehicles during the first year sounded the death knell for the GT, which could only muster 5,396 buyers. The badge was updated in line with the rest of the Mustang range in 1971, with almost every dimension increasing. The original owner ordered this Mach 1 in Light Pewter Metallic, a shade that adds a classy air to a high-performance model. The history of this Mustang is slightly unclear, although the listing suggests it may have received a touch-up at some point. It is due for a repeat performance, with the paint exhibiting a typical matte appearance. The biggest question facing potential buyers surrounds the subject of rust. The seller doesn’t mention any significant issues, and the limited underside shots don’t suggest deeper problems. This is a case where an in-person inspection may be warranted. The panels are surprisingly straight, with only minor bumps and imperfections. The Mach 1 retains its original wheels and rear spoiler, and the glass appears pretty good.
This Mustang surprises us when we focus on its interior. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, and apart from the faded carpet behind the Sport Deck rear seat, its condition is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The upholstered surfaces have no gaping holes, while the dash and pad are excellent. The carpet, as mentioned, appears to be the only item that has suffered UV damage. I am surprised there is no evidence of air conditioning, but the power windows, factory tachometer, and rim blow wheel are desirable options that add a luxurious touch.
One notable cosmetic upgrade on the 1971 Mach 1 was a hood with integrated scoops. It was a no-cost option on 302-equipped cars but was standard on the rest of the range. This car’s scoops are functional, with the engine bay housing the 351ci Ram Air V8. This motor sent 285hp and 370 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. This Mach 1 also features power steering and power front disc brakes. The journey down the ¼-mile would have taken 15.3 seconds, with the V8 running out of breath at 131mph. Those figures deserve perspective, and we only need to examine a 1970 Mach 1 to clearly understand the impact of evolution. The 1971 model year saw almost every Mustang dimension increase, but the vehicle’s curb weight was the most profound change. This car will tip the scales at 3,448 lbs, while its predecessor weighed 3,256 lbs. That is a significant increase, helping to explain why the 1971 Mach 1 lost ground to the 1970 model when the subject turned to performance. Worse was to come in the following years, but the writing was on the wall for the Mustang’s Hi-Po variants. Potential buyers should consider this an “as-is” proposition. It hasn’t run since 2014, and whether the engine turns freely is unclear. However, the visual indications are promising. The Mustang will need a new fuel tank and lines as a starting point for its revival, but delving deeper will undoubtedly uncover other work required before it graces our roads again.
The 1971 facelift marked the most profound change during the First Generation Mustang’s production run. The company had embraced the “bigger is better” mentality that many purists lament. They feel the car lost its edge as a performance model, slowly morphing into something akin to a Grand Tourer. Others disagree, and both sides can mount compelling arguments to support their case. This 1971 Mach 1 appears to be a promising project, and the lack of intense bidding action in the No Reserve auction could be significant. If the situation doesn’t change, someone could score an excellent restoration prospect at a rock-bottom price with a single bid. That has to make the auction worth monitoring.
I bleed Ford blue blood. But I have a problem with 71+ stangs.
I love the 69/70 body. But as a kid I got hooked on stangs because of “Gone in 60 Seconds” the original one. So a 71 could generate some interest for me, call it nostalgia, lol.
Being a Mack 1, is obviously a BIG plus. Auto is a big minus, and being a 4V is also a big plus.
I’d be interested to see what it sells for.
MACH 1’s 69 is my favorite but I like all of them through 73.My bro’s bumper sticker on his 73 Mach1 29.”Sit down,Shut up and Hold on”
429 ci built
Oh come on the 71 is the original gone in sixty seconds car! I remember watching this show as a kid at the local in door car show/autorama. Was amazed as how far that car could fly and survive. Not knowing they used a bunch of different 71 cars.
These look better now than back in the day,, but still are a little bloated compared to what came before but still are very desireable ride. A handy guy could get this back on the road for a reasonable price if its not really rusty underneath.
As my dad said on the 351C “30k miles it’s gonna need new valve guides” I asked why he replied Ford was cheap their always cheap they used soft metal Bronze valve guides & they go bad after 30k miles”
So word to the wise it’s gonna need the valve guides knocked out of the heads & replaced or just toss the stock heads & buy after market.
Parts & labor 4k easy plus fuel tank rust issues inside with water separating from the gas ⛽️ so toss it & new fuel lines & if your gonna do That EFI sniper set up cuz a carb is garbage with a 200 shot of NOS .
Idk if the the rear end is a 1 spinner or the famed 9inch or Detroit locker either way look & service rearvend & all your spindles & etc.
Fresh brakes & rotors a good idea & a new brake booster.
That dish water Grey paint…idk some like it ..it’s a little depressing to me esp when theirs Metallic blue green & fire engine red or Daytona Yellow available..but you do you.
For a real pants kicker CAM it my opinion the Competition 3/4 cam with hydraulic lifters that expand are the best Steet – strip cam lifters on the market a really great design & that’s from my master mechanics at our Porsche dealership from when I built my 302.
I’d take that as solid advice.
As if given the crazy inflated u.s. dollar & boomers doing last gasp I’m spending it before I die buys this ride will hit 20-30k in no time
351 cleveland 4v are their Ford’s best flowing small block heads.
Gar-gantuan intake ports and huge intake 2.19″ valves (my 428 has smaller 2.06″).
The power barn and interior look very good.
The 2 barrel heads are said to be much better for the street
I own a 1971 mach 1 pewter with a 351 c 2 bbl with a fmx trans never been out of car it still runs strong with 179,000 miles on trans the 2 bll is very good running I had car 34 years love it.
David Michael Carroll is correct- I am no expert but smaller ports on the 2v heads created more velocity thru them at the low end for better in town, lower rpm
tip in/throttle response.
Had a 2v ’73 Torino 351 Cl. in 1984 and that big boy needed help on the bottom end so I kept the 2v heads with smaller ports – less compression too- when I added a 4 barrel and intake on a completely stock driver that never going to be anything other than that.
I think this Mustang could be gotten back on the road if someone was dedicated to it long term.
Body – if no rust, looks good.
Interior is nice but on the engine we do not know the mods … or if it threw a rod.
No history or clean view with air cleaner off.
Can see the headers, and kudos on intact Ram Air assembly and vacuum lines.
We like it – right??
Dads exactly right about the guides and the low/no lead fuel we started getting in the 70’s would really eat them up. It wasn’t just the 351 though it was everything Ford built but the rest of the engine would be solid. Pull the heads, clean them up, hardened guides and they were good to go. I had this exact car in gold and would be seriously tempted if it was closer. Rust under the left taillight means it needs a rear body panel as the big foam taillight gaskets held water like a sponge but that happened no matter where the car spent it’s life.
Your dads right, lol, back in ’80, took friends ’72 Mach 1, 351C, C6 from Bridgeport CT to Daytona Beach. Made it in just over 14.5hrs, thanks to the original ‘Fuzz Buster’, radar detector! Saved us 3x, twice in Virginia & once in SC. Baseball bat wedged between seat & console, sweet spot on gas pedal, kept us at a steady 102-105, at least when my turn driving. We started burning oil bad just entering FL at which point dropped to 75 the remainder. Friends grandfather knew the guys at Ford dealer in Daytona, took care of us same day, valve seals shot & guides worn. Frank had under 35k miles I do recall.
Many don’t like the long ‘shoebox’ style of these but I do. I’d love to get one like this but I’m a little spooked if I’ll be satisfied, as my ’23 F350 Godzilla has 145+ more HP at 430 & over 105 ft lb tq at 475.
It’ll be a MUST to consider a test drive of any I may consider to make sure I don’t have any regret. Yes I KNOW, apples to watermelons, I get it!
Still, light to light, only thing that matters is getting there 1st!
However I DO have a 1/4 mile Firebird dragstrip 15 miles north as the crow flies, maybe I can find a Mach to compete with…
My good buddy right out of HS had a 71 mach1. 351C 4b. Big cam. I never heard a engine wine like a jet engine like this one. It was super fast. Lucky He didn’t get serious hurt in that car. Finally lost it one night in a corner and totaled it. That engine ended up in another friend’s car.
Your Dad is full of s### . I had a 1969 Mustang It had 351C 100000 miles no valve guides issues. So I call him out on this one
3/4 cam? Hmmm, what is it Mr Whipple?
And expandable hydraulic lifters?
Please elaborate because maybe I’ve been
doing something wrong….
Look up Rhoads lifters, they can be a great alternative for running a big cam on the street, especially when you’re running auto trans. I’ve been using them on a 351 C CJ since the 70s.
A friend that managed a speed shop in the 90’s told me that when a customer asked for a 3/4 race cam he’d pick one out roughly 3/4 of the way down the page.
Steve R
Up to twelve grand as of this morning. Excellent project but no longer cheap. Guy in my neighborhood keeps wanting to sell me a Cleveland engine after he spotted my Fox body in the parking lot. Don’t t need what it’s attached to though.
Seems to have California plates that aren’t super old. Makes me almost wonder if someone bought it a decade ago, played with it a little and decided to hold on to it hoping it would follow Camaros into the stratosphere and never registered it. Could account for the apparently good condition and lack of rust, though who knows how long it was in CA.
Looks like it was last registered in 2012. Solid driver with the 351C, one of the engines I would want on a ’71 Mach 1, but the automatic is a little disappointing. As long as the bidding doesn’t go over $20K this is a good buy but I would need to see this in person to at least make sure that 351C turns.
An in person inspection would be absolutely mandatory for us, these things were rust buckets. Other wise, perhaps a good entry level budget performance Mustang… if it stays below 15.
My good buddy right out of HS had a 71 mach1. 351C 4b. Big cam. I never heard a engine wine like a jet engine like this one. It was super fast. Lucky He didn’t get serious hurt in that car. Finally lost it one night in a corner and totaled it. That engine ended up in another friend’s car.
This 71 Mach 1 appears to be a promising survivor car, don’t see any visible rust but would need to see in person first. I wish we knew more than last time it ran was in 2014. Non factory AC and automatic is a little disappointing, but if price doesn’t turn crazy, would be a good project.
Nice car. If I weren’t already restoring a 69 I’d grab it. I recently restored a 73 Mach 1 and it sold for $40k. I think the 71-73 are more muscular than previous years, although I much prefer the 69s, and they are not that much bigger. You can lessen the weight by changing things and the wider track makes the car drive better, although there isn’t any more room inside. Fundamentally there is no difference between the 71-73 and the 69-70, just the skin. I like them both. That 351 is a good start, the FMX(?) could be replaced with an AOD and the rear gears changed to 3.50. Again, nice car, auction should not get too much over $15k to be a bargain.
c6
Check out “FAST” stock appearing drags…..these old boats really due fly…looks like a nice one if the price stays a little low.
This car also appears to have a tilt steering column and the space saver spare tire. Both good options.
Without knowing anything definitive about this 351 engine, you can at least expect for at least a top rebuild, to be on the safe side,and maybe more. Body and interior come last, and those are both fine, in survivor condition., that being said, 12k-14k tops on the price.
I had this car in grabber green. I bought it used in 73 and traded it a couple years later for a new Firebird. It would be another 30 years before I had a car that performed as well as that Mach 1