The next owner shouldn’t need to spend a dime on this 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1’s drivetrain. The seller confirms that the engine and transmission are freshly rebuilt, and that they have installed a range of new parts to help the buyer along their path to its restoration. Unsurprisingly, the Mustang has generated considerable interest since the seller listed it here on eBay in Livermore, California. A solitary bid of $8,000 is below the reserve, though there is time remaining for those who view the Mach 1 as an automotive must-have.

The end was drawing near for the First Generation Mustang as 1973 dawned. The badge had served the company well, but with the Mustang II waiting in the wings, Ford performed only minor upgrades for the car’s swansong. The history of this Mach 1 is unclear, but there are a few clues in the supplied images. The paint shade it currently wears isn’t original, and a couple of spots suggest its first owner ordered it in Ivy Glow Metallic. The paint is peeling away in several areas, and I believe that the winning bidder may need to strip the panels to bare metal as part of a high-end restoration. However, with no significant dings or dents, that should be relatively straightforward. If this classic has spent its life in its current location, it may have avoided the typical Mustang rust issues. I see nothing concerning in the listing images, and the seller doesn’t mention problems in their description. The seller indicates that they recently fitted a new grille, new door seals, and a new gas cap.

Powering this Mustang is the H-Code 351ci V8, producing a Ford-quoted 177hp. The power feeds to a 4.11 limited-slip rear end via a three-speed automatic transmission, with this Mach 1 also featuring power assistance for the steering and the front disc brakes. The tidy engine bay presentation doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller states that the V8 and transmission are freshly rebuilt, and that they recently installed new stainless trans lines, a new radiator, a Holley carburetor, and a billet MSD distributor. The carburetor upgrade alone should have unlocked additional power, a fact that most potential buyers will welcome. It appears that if this Mustang isn’t genuinely roadworthy, reaching that point shouldn’t cost much or require much effort.

This Mustang’s interior brings equal servings of good and bad news. Trimmed in Black, the seller indicates that the door trims, carpet set, and wheel are new. However, there is visible cosmetic deterioration across some plastic surfaces, and the faux woodgrain has failed on the door inserts. The radio is missing, and the headliner and driver’s seat are split and ripped. It probably doesn’t require a complete retrim, but the shopping list will include new seatcovers, a headliner, and a woodgrain kit, all of which are readily available, to present at a higher level.

It may not be the prettiest classic on the block, but that hasn’t prevented this 1973 Mustang Mach 1 from generating considerable interest since hitting the market. The Listing View and Watch List tallies of 205 and 27, respectively, are pretty healthy figures. That these have only translated into a single bid is surprising. However, it will only take two people who want to become its new owners, and the action could heat up. That begs the question of a potential sale price once the hammer falls. What would you consider paying for this Mach 1?