Manufacturers often tap into patriotic fervor when developing a new model, and Ford is no exception. Flagging Mustang sales and the upcoming Munich Olympics prompted the company to introduce the Sprint Edition to its 1972 Mustang range. This Grande Sprint is an original classic featuring a freshly rebuilt V8. It has cosmetic shortcomings but is rock-solid and ready to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed the Sprint here on Craigslist in Rowland Heights, California. They set their price at $12,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this patriotic pony.
Mustang sales declined by nearly 25% in 1971, and with Ford knowing that its replacement was waiting in the wings for a 1974 introduction, it wasn’t keen to spend a lot of money on updates with a limited life span. The world was preparing for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, and nothing ignites patriotism in the population’s heart like a global sporting event. Ford tapped into those feelings with the Mustang Sprint Edition. It was a cosmetic enhancement package with a distinctive Red, White, and Blue paint combination. The Sprint was available in two forms, with Package A providing the unique paint and interior trim while adding $156 to the Mustang’s sticker price. The more expensive option, which I believe this Grande features, added Magnum 500 wheels and minor upgrades to the suspension and tires for $347.46. This beauty is largely unmolested, although the fact the American flags are missing from the rear quarter panels suggests it may have received a repaint. It still presents well, although a few visible flaws and defects may prompt the new owner to perform a light cosmetic restoration to reclaim its former glory. They won’t face rust repairs because the underside shots and life in a dry climate have left this Mustang as solid as a rock. The trim and tinted glass are in good order, and apart from one missing center cap, the wheels look extremely nice.
Mustang buyers could order their new 1972 Grande with a six under the hood, but this car’s original owner selected the 302ci V8 producing 141hp and 243 ft/lbs of torque. Its three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes confirm the more luxurious approach taken by Ford with the Grande. Increasing weight and tighter emission laws stifled performance, with this car capable of covering the ¼-mile in 17.9 seconds off the showroom floor. That figure is relatively modest, but some upgrades mean our feature car should provide performance improvements. The V8 has recently been rebuilt, and an upgraded intake and 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor will help it breathe significantly better. We can speculate on the power gains, but they would be measurable and apparent whenever the driver floors the gas. The seller states the engine starts at the first turn of the key and that the Mustang is in excellent mechanical health. It is ready to provide its new owner with immediate motoring fun.
The Sprint Package’s color combination continued inside, with the seats wearing White and Blue covers with Red piping. The remaining upholstered surfaces feature White vinyl, with Dark Blue carpet covering the floors. The interior condition is impressive for a vehicle of this age with such light trim. There is no significant wear and no rips on the cloth or vinyl. The dash looks excellent, and nothing has succumbed to UV exposure. A more modern stereo occupies the factory radio’s rightful place, but that appears to be the only addition. The Grande Package brought increased sound-deadening material to isolate occupants from the outside world, while this car also features welcome touches like ice-cold air conditioning and power windows.
Ford sold 125,903 Mustangs in 1972, with 9,383 buyers ticking the box for the Sprint Edition. That equates to nearly 7.5% of total sales, confirming buyers viewed it as excellent value for money. It is unclear how many survive, but if those featured on Barn Finds are an accurate guide, there may not be many kicking about. Regular readers are aware of the popularity of First Generation Mustangs on our site, but this is only the sixth Sprint we’ve seen. It ticks some crucial boxes courtesy of its V8 engine, rust-free status, and overall originality. It would take little effort to make it “pop,” but would you consider adding it to your garage to ensure that happens?
My observation is the same as Adam’s: these are not commonly seen. I think they are attractive and eye-catching, and for hardtops with the base 302, trade for reasonable dollars. Sounds like this one will need some help after a long slumber, but looks pretty good to me. One could have some fun with it, even at a Mustang event you probably won’t see yourself.
No spoiler is perfect look for this model. Nicely appointed interior, 302 w 2.79 gear ⚙️ and Cruise-O-Matic autoloader. Pretty much a Mercury Cougar. Nice car.
Also a Canadian version of this car…. Not a lot of those around…
Yep…..seen only a few and none had those power windows – in fact you don’t see power windows on that model old Stang……..
Nothing like ice cold air conditioning!
This is priced well with rebuilt engine, upgrades including headers and 4 barrel … and working air !
I like this Mustang – hope it finds a good caretaker.
This looks like a sissified mustang,something a girl would drive
One must have beat you Al to make that kind of comment……
I had the 1972 Fastback version (not a true Mach I), this is the notchback model (not a Grande’). 302s are bullet-proof and power windows are extremely rare to see on ANY Mustang. This is a steal!
Good looking car overall with enough options to satisfy the discriminating buyer. At almost $350 the package was about 10% of the base price before luxuries like steering brakes windows auto and air. We’ll see if anyone jumps on the patriotic theme now with the nation’s 250th birthday fast approaching.
141 horsepower. Now that’s pathetic. Good looking car but the last thing I want is a car that can’t get out of its own way. Sooo many other great cars to buy with $12000.
It was 1972 – remember…..
Back then Ford could HAVE DEFINITELY tweaked the 302 up to 170-175 back then………Ford engineers didnt take the time to do so…..
I do love the styling of the 1972 Mustang. Ford had similar blue trim or pinstripe exterior packages for the Pinto and Maverick as well as the Mustang. Adertising showed white cars where the special patriotic and spring editions showed dramatically. I enjoyed seeing this car for sale.
Sprint and Grande are mutually exclusive and this is a Sprint hardtop. The rule is that all Grandes are hardtops (as opposed to sportsroofs or convertibles), but not all hardtops are Grandes.
Anyway, I always thought the Sprint was kinda cool and I also imagine the engine upgrades should have resulted in a nicely “woken up” 302 in this case.
Nice….I like this Mustang and would like to own it.
Nice looking pony that’s a special edition I forgot about until now. Too bad it doesn’t have a 351 Cleveland. Otherwise it’s nicely presented and fairly well equipped. But like Adam said, there’s supposed to be an American flag on the quarter panels and this car looks naked without them. And I would also appreciate a Marti Report to verify that this is the real deal.
I would do a buy it now if it was on EBAY, then at the least you know you will get a car with a title. I have problems with Craigslist and Marketplace.
Nice car. Don’t see many around, especially in this condition and mostly intact. If buying, I’d want to know more about this alleged rebuild. It doesn’t appear that the engine bay has been touched in quite sometime. Then, address the rear. Definitely needs a gear swap. Anyhow, in this condition, I’d be all in if searching for a Mustang that’s not a “me too” version. Unfortunately, my stable is full enough with grocery bills, insurance and nearly everything else doubling over the past two years.
These are very rare optioned cars. Ford did this in 72 to the Mustang, the Maverick, and the Pinto. My mom had the Pinto with the 2.0. Entire car was bullet proof. The entire scheme was actually based on the 72 Olympics.
I would love to take it back to the tarheel state.
Again we pull the engine and alledgedly rebuild it but do not take the time to detail the bay…..
Not a Grande’. The Sprint pkg. was only available on base hardtop and SportsRoof models. The Grande’ standard vinyl top was not compatible with the Sprint exterior trim. The upgrade pkg. did include many Grande interior bits that make for a nicer environment. Power windows are a rare sight in a Mustang of this era but a 302 is not. A 351 HO with a 4 speed in Sprint trim would really be something but I’ve never seen one.
I currently have one with the 302, and in the 70s i had another one with the 351 cleveland ! I get it out a couple of times in the summer!
A sprint model?
The flag decals are missing, but available!
You could also get the “Sprint Package” on the Maverick and Pinto, with the same Red, White and blue paint scheme, matching interior and Red, White and Blue “shield” decals on the rear quarter panels. These were fairly rare, as a one-year special edition, and if my admittedly faulty memory serves, only about 5k of each example were built, to make them more “exclusive”.
I seem to recall that the Maverick edition included the optional bucket seats in place of the standard bench seat as part of the “Sprint package”, but I am not sure. I’ve seen the Maverick version in Hemmings Motor news, but not in Barn Finds.
Replacement decals may or may not be available, either as NOS or as reproductions from NPD or other suppliers.
I am interested.. would you please answer the following?
Your statement, “A more modern stereo occupies the factory radio’s rightful place, but that appears to be the only addition.”
Do you have the face plate to the unit? Is it an AM/FM/CD player?
There seems to be confusion about this being a Grande model. Please check the door tag:
Code 65D is 2-Door Hardtop, Standard;
Code 65F is 2-Door Hardtop, Grande.
What does it show?
The Grande came with a halo-style vinyl roof with a Grande roof emblem, and shows “Grande” instead of “Mustang” in the center instrument panel below the A/C vent, among other upgrades. If it is 65D, it would not have Grande options.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Wow, you have no idea what this is? I’ve had a 72 Fastback one of these and a 73 Grande’. One was sporty and the other was more luxury.
Michael, your post hints that you believe you’re contacting the seller through Barn Finds. You need to click on the Craigslist post highlighted in the first paragraph to get the sellers contact info. Hope that helps.
Have a friend that owns a 1970 coupe white with green vinyl top and green interior. Dog dish hub caps and looks like grandmas Mustang, but it is a factory 428CJ with air and power windows, quite a sleeper.