One of the more quirky design features of what are often referred to as the “land yachts” of the 1970s was opera windows. They were a firm favorite of Lincoln stylists, and a rectangular version even made it onto the Mustang II Ghia. However, someone has taken a leaf from the Lincoln book by adding a set of oval ones to this 1973 Mustang Fastback. They will undoubtedly divide opinion, but there is no denying they help this classic to stand out from the crowd. The car needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Seattle, Washington. You could drive away in this Mustang by handing the owner $19,400.
If we ignore the custom touch and start by assessing this Mustang’s overall condition, it makes a positive first impression, finished in tight Pewter with a matching vinyl Landau-style top. The paint shines nicely, and neither it nor the panels exhibit significant flaws or defects. The seller states there is no major rust, suggesting some small issues may be hidden from view. This is a case where an in-person inspection is warranted to confirm the potential extent of any problems. The vinyl looks good, with the Magnum 500 wheels and new BF Goodrich tires adding the ideal finishing touch to the exterior. The opera windows are a mystery, and the internet is awash with theories about them. One Mustang Forum suggests they may have been an option on cars built in Mexico, but I can find no evidence supporting this. Others believe they are a dealer-fitted accessory, but nothing is definite on that front. I think someone wanted to help their car stand out from the crowd, and adding the extra glass certainly achieved that aim!
The fit and finish of the additional glass into the sail panel are quite good, but how the plastic trim cuts across the bottom of the seal seem to confirm this is an aftermarket addition. Reversing the modification would be possible, although the cost would almost certainly outweigh the potential value increase. I would probably have the plastic modified to follow the window seal more closely if I were to find this classic in my workshop.
I’ve always felt that White vinyl is a bold interior trim choice, but it is what the original owner selected for this Mustang. How it is prone to becoming dirty, stained, and yellow can reveal much about the care any car has received. The news is positive with this Mustang because there are none of those issues or evidence of UV damage visible. The dash and pad look spotless, as does the console. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, and although it isn’t highly optioned, the new owner receives a factory AM radio and a clock.
Lifting the Mustang’s hood reveals the 351ci V8 that sends 157hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. The First Generation Mustang became a “softer” vehicle towards the end of its production life, and this car perfectly demonstrates that trend. It would happily cruise for hours at freeway speed but would have disappointed enormously at the local drag strip. Potential buyers should consider this classic as a turnkey proposition. It performs exactly as it should, with the seller using it as a daily driver. The tires are new, and there are no identified mechanical faults or issues.
This 1973 Mustang Fastback is a tidy car with no apparent significant needs. Every aspect of the car presents well, and the fact it functions as a daily driver indicates there are no mechanical issues. The oval opera windows help it stand out, but I don’t doubt they will divide reader opinion. Various online Forums discuss this modification because our feature car is not the only one to receive this treatment. Is this change one of which you approve, or do you think any styling changes should have been left to the good folk at Ford?
The accompanying landau top looks more odd on a fastback than the window.
I’d be guessing dealer add on’s or very special order from the original buyer. In an odd way it does make the car stand out and would be an interesting topic at the local car show.
i was a lil shocked when i saw it, and thought :
wow, what a way to ruin an already under appreciated car.
Then add the white to silver and im thinking some ego trippin disco dudes car
ya, just ruined; IMHO
Apparently the guy couldn’t afford the Thunderbird
Always a bad idea, esp this example.
Looks a sharp, comfortable cruiser.
I absolutely love those opera windows and the landau roof, really sets it apart and imo adds a way better look to an already beautiful car !!!
It’s different and it sorta grows on me the longer I look at it. Sort of gives it a formal look. Agree with the author, Lincoln or T-bird. It’s a one off, will say it again, it’s yours to do as you please, customization is what we did to cars.
Looks like something you might see on a cougar or a thunderbird
Oddly enough, I like it. It seems to work on this car, which had an oddly proportioned rear end anyways. It helps that the color and condition are really good.
Big, bulky and slow. They sure screwed up the original concept of the Mustang. That said, this is a nice car but a bit pricey for a cruiser.
Ugly! Anyone who likes this likely has a matching set of white belt and shoes, and polyester pants!
The opera windows were professionally installed by an aftermarket company from California in the early 1970’s. They installed them (among various other mods) on Mustangs, Camaros, and Firebirds of the same era.
Oops, I forgot to add that this aftermarket company also sold vinyl roofs.
I can promise the opera windows and vinyl roof were not a factory option on this car. And I cannot imagine this car being a factory produced example with these options, as common sense in the design office would surely come into play, and the car either destroyed or sent back for re-work to original.
Portholes, vinyl tops, opera windows, and body side moldings were often added at the dealer level, usually by the larger dealers who had the room for a special area to do the work. Because of the poor fit with the interior panels, I would suggest this was not done when the car was new, but rather it was customized by a local shop.
I’m familiar with this type of work because I was one of those guys who did it at one of the biggest Ford dealers in the Washington DC area.
Sliding steel sunroofs were generally not done at the dealer level, and in our area it was a place in Columbia, MD called K & G, they ended up becoming part of ASC [American Sunroof Company]. Back then, if you added a sliding steel sunroof, the job included a vinyl roof because of the expense in repairing the cut edge around the opening & repainting the roof.
Hey at least they didn’t add a hood ornament
Yes. It looks like they were going for Mustang Brougham look.
But where are the fender skirts? The white wall tires with wire wheel covers? And where’s the Continental Kit?
I cringed when I first saw this as I used to have a 72 Sportsroof. Not sure if those portholes help with rear vision/blind spot, but they do help on my 2002 Thunderbird. The vinyl top looks awkward. All said, there is a certain cool factor here.
The opera windows and landau vinyl roof on a fastback Mustang are 2 things I’ve never seen before, and hope I never will see again. I’ve seen vinyl roof on front 3/4 on this model, and it was OK, but this is really odd. A clear reminder that psychedelic drugs were the new thang back then. It is a well kept car. If it was a Mach1 in the same colors without the funky roof and windows, it would be highly desirable. As it is…. no thanks.
I never liked Disco but I love the Opera windows.
Looks like Ye Ole J. C. Whitney Catalogue got ’em again! (… Now, what page were those wide-whitewall side appliques on again?
@Craiger,
Around 1972/73 I had a boyfriend who put those on a 1965 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
OMG! Those things were awful, especially when they wouldn’t lie flat against the blackwall tire.
why in the Sam hill would anyone do this, yeah it stands out but not in a good way, whatever!!
Nope, Nope, Nope! Had a 73 copper ext., black interior w/302. Not much to look at but by comparison this isn’t either. Especially for 20 grand.
Opera window on a Mustang……wonder if Carrol Shelby autographed the glove box door….
Doesn’t matter cause by 73 the fat lady had hit her last note for a spell in Fords theatre……
This makes the Mustang II look good
I love everything about this. Looks like a Hollywood makeover for a bond criminal or something.
having never seen one, I’d love it just for the uniqueness. You’ld be the only one at the local car show.
Ack! Maybe if the vinyl top and interior were black it would blend a bit better with the body color. The vinyl top is no doubt a side effect of the opera windows. To hide the cut marks of the install of said windows.
Imagine 150 HP out of a once mighty 351?
Opera windows kinda remind me of peekaboo windows on a van. Like white interior for the cooler temps, if indicate care as well, all the better. The back seat area interesting. Fancy daily driver, not my favorite Mustang fastback tho.
I dig it. This car was not a monster with that engine so why not class it up a bit. Built like a cruiser, may as well look like a cruiser. I don’t know that it would work with other bolder color packages, but seems to fit here.
Well it definitely says I am from the 70s. It would have been nice if they had troweled on the rest of the options, I.E. ac. power windows, cruise, tilt and so on to make it a real boulevard cruiser. Oh yes and let’s not forget the bumper guards. The car is in nice shape, what’s not to like. The 351 2v is just fine for motoring about. Why not.
Ohh Nooo way. I would spend the time to rid this car of the windows and vinyl top! I had a 72 Mach 1 I can’t imagine doing this to my car.