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One of Five with A/C: 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The seller believes that this 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 may have under 30,000 original miles, and that its equipment list makes it a fairly obscure example. The car certainly presents like a low mileage example, but the seller admits to not being able to verify the odometer reading. Still, with the Q-Code and 351 paired to a four-speed manual with factory air conditioning, it’s believed to be one of just five equipped in this manner. You’ll find it here on eBay with bids to $15K at the moment and no reserve.

To make this Mustang even more unique, the seller notes that it left the factory with an eight-track option that would make it one-of-one with this mix of options – but that the eight-track player was removed by a previous owner. I don’t dispute that it’s enjoyable to see just how rare your car is by comparing it others of the same era, but sometimes the way muscle car owners attempt to set theirs apart can seem a bit excessive. Still, one-of-five with factory A/C is worth crowing about, especially when the cosmetic condition looks as good as this one does.

The four-speed is a welcome feature, too, as many muscle cars from this era left the factory with two pedals. The interior lends further evidence to the low-mileage claim, as it appears quite mint inside with the vibrant colors on the plastic, vinyl, and carpeted surfaces you normally would associate only with new vehicles. The seller does disclose some flaws, such as the door panels sporting some tears and the driver’s seat having a small hole in the vinyl surface, but those seem relatively minor considering the overall condition. The Pony inserts in the carpets look quite sharp as well.

The engine bay is far from concours but would likely clean up well with a detailing. The seller notes more original details under the hood, including original hose clamps, hoses, and belts still stamped with the “Motorcraft” logo. The clutch and transmission are said to work well and the engine shows no obvious issues, other than an inoperative temp gauge due to a faulty sending unit. Tires are new and the rear wheel cylinders and brake shoes were recently replaced; the seller notes the exterior has one repaint and is showing its age. Regardless of the mileage being verified, this is an attractive survivor with lots of desirable options.

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    Thanks Jeff. I agree with your comment that muscle car owners can get excessive on how they attempt to set their cars apart. It’s great that Marti Reports with production stats are available, but one has to be able to read and understand the report. Lots of people don’t understand the data and its presentation, or misinterpret the data, or simply (erroneously) cherry-pick the data to try to make it say something it doesn’t. The Marti Report is in the ebay ad, if you are interested in this sort of thing, take a look. It is “one of five with a/c,” but that’s misleading in that it is one of a very specific group of five.

    OK, off my soapbox.

    As for the car, I like it. I specifically like the period-correct gold/brown. Engine needs a serious detailing. Don’t see too many with manual transmissions.

    Like 12
  2. Avatar Bob C.

    Last year for the big Stangs. They sold quite a bit more this year than in 72. It was speculated that buyers were afraid of what the 74s were going to end up like. Good move IMO.

    Like 9
  3. Avatar GM nut

    Nice car! I had a 73 convertible myself. Love the Grand Prix in the background.

    Like 6
  4. Avatar Troy s

    Last high performance Mustang for nearly ten years. Good color, decent wheels and tires, that 351 Cleveland needs a thorough cleaning to present as well as the rest of the car. Original belts and hoses? Yikes.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar matthew B steele

    I didn’t like these much back in 73 but i do like em now.that goes for a few cars from the early 70’s

    Like 1
  6. Avatar jerry z

    Now that’s a Stang I could drive! Great color combo and 4 spd with a/c! Sweet!

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Karl

    I much prefer the 69 and 70 mustangs probably because I owned both. That’s what caused me to say I never really appreciated this model.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar OhU8one2

    I’m so sick of people trying to sell their car’s with eye grabbing quotes like 1 of 5, or 1 of 1. Who gives a rats @$! if your car doesn’t have an 8-track or A/C on. a straight 6 with a 3 speed manual transmission? I could care less and consider it rare. Obviously the owner needs to hype the car for some reason. I just dont get it.

    Like 8
  9. Avatar Jost

    That’s a nice find. I think with a little tlc this car would be great. I also think that these big body mustangs are only going to go up in value. As other said, heck with the 8 track, rare to see a 4 speed in a 73

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Del

    Nice example.

    Love the color combo.

    Bet the 8 track conked out and was reefed out.

    I am surprised this is not getting higher bids.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar Ron
  12. Avatar Grumpy

    There are two in my small Ontario town. Both sold new by the local dealer at the time. One for his son, one for another resident.
    One is extremely low mileage and mint condition, still the original owner. The other has gone threw a few owners, but still nice.
    Both are gold with gold interior, 4 speeds and factory 8 tracks.
    They are huge beasts, but nice looking cars.

    Like 6
  13. Avatar 433jeff

    No original tires? What happened?Hmmph

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Stangalang

    NO 8 TRACK!! and for that reason..IM OUT

    Like 4
  15. Avatar DougB

    My 2012 Equinox has just 50000 miles and the engine still looks like new . I question the mileage . That makes it look like 130000 miles That part I question but on the other hand you see it like it is . I would love to see shots of the under carriage then that might change my mind

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Little_Cars

    1) inflate all tires to spec before taking photos. 2) go the extra mile and set your cell phone camera off of flash and drive the car outside. 3) Learn how to read the Marti report. My guess is the rarity is in the AC with 4 speed, not the 8 track whatsoever.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Jost

    rarity is not always something that drives up price. I remember an add for a Fairlane Convertible, not sure if 68 or 69. The ad touted that this was a one of one car. It was a 390 car in great shape.. but one of one was because of a 3 on the tree with bench seat. It was a beautiful car, but come on…it was one of one because only one person would of ordered the car that way… a Fairlane GT ( may of been a Torino) with 390 and bench seat three on the tree????

    Like 1
  18. Avatar Thomas

    Yeah, one of five with a/c, in THAT color with that interior blah blah blah…I wonder what the count is for the 3,316 total Q code 4-speed cars that have a/c.

    Like 1

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