We’ve all seen them. I’ve personally lost count of just how many 1st Generation Mustangs have crossed my path that have either been afflicted with major rust issues or have had rust problems addressed at some point during their life. How about you? That makes this 1971 Mach 1 a breath of fresh air, as it still wears all of its original Ford steel, and it’s as solid as a rock. The owner has decided to part with this survivor, which means that there is a lucky person out there who is set to buy an original Mustang that is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. If that sounds like a winning deal to you, then you will find the Mustang located in Edgewater, Maryland, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $15,000, and the reserve has been met.

When you look at the color offerings available on the 1971 Mustang, Light Pewter probably rates as the most conservative shade. That isn’t to say that it is a bad color, because it does impart an air of class and style to the vehicle. I also do have a soft spot for good silver paint, so that is one aspect of the vehicle that does tick the right box for me. This paint looks to be in very nice condition, with great consistency right across the vehicle. Any shade of silver can be very prone to fading and “blotchiness” as time passes, but that doesn’t appear to be a problem here. The panels look very straight, with the gaps remaining tight and consistent. I hear you asking the big question about rust, and this comes with a very positive answer. The owner supplies some really clear photos of the Mustang’s underside, and apart from a few spots of very light surface corrosion, the floors and frame rails look to be extremely solid. However, I would be tempted to treat this corrosion fairly quickly, because the steel in Mustangs can tend to “biodegrade” pretty rapidly if left to its own devices. Forget about rotted quarter panels or rockers, because these are in even better shape than the underside. The trim, chrome, and decals all look very nice, while I am unable to spot any problems with the original tinted glass.

Any buyer walking into a Ford dealership in 1971 with a view to taking home a Mach 1 was faced with a veritable smorgasbord of engine choices. In this case, what we find is an H-Code 351ci V8, producing 240hp. This pony car’s, er, ponies, find their way to a Traction-Lok rear end via a 3-speed manual transmission. Making the driving experience that bit more effortless is the inclusion of power steering and power front disc brakes. The seller of the Mustang is the vehicle’s second owner since new, having inherited it from his uncle. It would appear that both of the owners have been pretty meticulous about the level of care and attention that has been lavished upon the vehicle, because not only has it been garage-kept for its entire life, but it also comes with a reasonable collection of service documentation. The engine bay presents very nicely, and while he isn’t specific about the time-frame, the owner does say that this original 351 has been treated to a rebuild at some point during its life. When compared to some of the other engine offerings across the range in 1971, the 351-2V was not the most potent of performers. It could still manage a low-16-second ¼ mile pass, so it was nothing to be ashamed of. The owner states that the engine starts on the first turn of the key, and it appears that the Mustang must perform well because he does claim that it could be used as a daily driver. One very smart addition is a battery kill switch, which should help preserve the battery’s condition if the vehicle was to be placed into storage over the winter months.

The Mustang’s interior has been restored but not replaced, according to the owner. It does present quite nicely, with only some edge-wear on the carpet worth noting. The upholstery all looks good, as does the dash, console, and headliner. It hasn’t been butchered to fit any aftermarket components, with no additional gauges, and the original AM radio still holding pride of place in the dash. While it might not be weighed-down with optional extras, the fact that it does feature factory air conditioning should make life inside the Mustang quite pleasant on those warmer days.

Finding an original and unrestored Mustang Mach 1 that is rust-free and has remained in the same family since new is by no means unprecedented, but it also isn’t something that is particularly common. This one fulfills those criteria and is a car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. The owner does float the idea of transforming this car into a Boss tribute, but I personally think that following that particular path would be a real shame. Original and unmolested cars like this most definitely have their own special place in the classic car scene, and my personal preference would be to see the next owner simply continue to lavish care and attention on what appears to be a great survivor. What do you think?