Finding a rust-free 1st Generation Mustang project car is something of a rare treat, but that is precisely what we are getting with this 1973 Mach 1. It has been parked in a garage for the past 30-years, and its restoration would appear to be a relatively straightforward affair. Located in Chandler, Arizona, you will find the Mach 1 listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $5,100, and with the reserve now met, this is a car that is set to go to a new home.
When the original owner purchased this Wimbledon White Mustang, he drove it on a regular basis for around 15-years. At that point, he then chose to park the car in his garage, and that’s where it remained for the next 30-years. Once dragged out into the light of day, what an inspection has revealed is a largely original car that is said to be completely rust-free. The owner provides a couple of photos of the vehicle’s underside, and while these aren’t the greatest, they show some small spots of light surface corrosion, but no actual rot. Similarly, the panels also appear to be rust-free, although it does appear as though there is some evidence of minor dent repairs to the rear quarter panel. I’m also intrigued by the way the paint on the car has cracked and deteriorated because this doesn’t seem to be consistent with the sort of deterioration that you might see from a factory finish. For this reason, I suspect that the Mustang may have received at least a partial repaint at some point in those first 15-years. Having said that, there are a few minor blemishes to the panels, but it doesn’t look like anything would require replacement.
It isn’t unusual for white interior trim not to age particularly well, and this is definitely the case with some aspects of this Mustang. One of the great limiting factors when assessing this car is just how dirty the interior is. I’m sure that there are plenty of pieces that would clean and restore quite well, such as the rear seat and rear trim. However, items like the dash pad and door trims are beyond help. The one piece that I find intriguing is the wheel, That is some of the most dramatic delaminating that I have ever seen, and that is well beyond saving. The dash itself, the gauges, and the console all look like they could be revived, while it is a definite bonus that the Mustang is fitted with factory air conditioning.
By 1973, emission laws had bitten deep into the Mustang. The 351ci 2-barrel V8 fitted to this car would have produced 157hp, whereas, in 1969, the 351 H-Code was pumping out 250hp. In this case, the Mach 1 also features a C6 automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. While it is true that the Mustang has been sitting idle for three decades, it isn’t all bad news. The owner says that with a fresh battery and some starter fluid, the 351 will kick into life, but doesn’t run for long. Obviously, any fuel that’s in the tank will be well past its use-by date, so a full fuel system clean will definitely be on the agenda. The car doesn’t drive because there is an issue with the transmission linkages, and that makes me wonder if this is why the car was parked in the first place. If this is the case, it is a shame that what is a comparatively small problem should lead to the Mustang being parked for so long. The next owner might choose to revive the existing drive-train to preserve the car’s originality, but they also might choose to drop in an updated engine and transmission. With modern developments, this could result in a Mustang that not only performs better but is capable of improving upon the 12½ mpg that was the average fuel usage for this car back in 1973.
By 1973, the Mustang had grown larger in every dimension when compared to its predecessors, and the most vital of these was in weight. When this factor was combined with the loss of engine performance, it helps to partially explain why sales of the aging vehicle had fallen so sharply since the record high of 1966. That isn’t to say that it was a bad car, and this one could certainly be a nice one once again. Even though I love to see faithful restorations of classic cars, I can’t help but be tempted by the whole idea of slotting something more modern under the hood. What do you think?
First gen Mustang? As the Polka Kings sang, she’s to fat for me. Not my style Mustang. Merry Christmas to all.
WOW! I wonder what type of “garage” would allow this much deterioration to occur?! I always liked this body style, (and I appreciate & like the 74 as well!) but the side shot of this one in white shows what a whale it had become! This one really looks like it was “rode hard and put away wet!!” GLWTS!! :-)
Pull the carpet and check the floor pans, the drivers door panel has a sagging arm rest and streaks. Surprised the seller didn’t clean this up a bit before posting, barn finds can have before and after pictures. The interior is going to be a challenge and the engine will need lots of love to get back on the road.
I wonder how many years this thing was left outside to damage the interior like this, and cook the cheap repaints on the rear quarters. I’ll bet its been ragged on pretty hard in the past and the C-6 has given up. This looks questionable, cost wise, to restore the interior/exterior and powertrain and not be in the big negative numbers. The ebay price is only the start
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, hope your day goes well!!!
Bernie H.
That is one rough looking interior! The whole car is pretty rough though it may be relatively rust free. The trans may be toast, too. Everything needs work on this pony and the 351 with it’s meager hp output needs either a lot of performance parts or maybe just replace that and the trans. Might be an OK project for the right price but the new owner is going to have to roll up his sleeves all the way for sure with this one.
Coyote swap?
I just watched a 43 minute car chase. This guy has an Eleanor link at the bottom of his ad.
I’m thinking flood damaged, look at the gut, looks like mud and silt. Would have helped if the owner cleaned it up!!!
Cheers
GPC
bidding is 4,900+. needs another 15K to make it driveable.
Am I missing something?
I’m trying to comprehend that kind of disposable income.
But then, I don’t understand the world of collectables.
…I don’t want her, you can have her she’s
too fat for me! She’s too fat for me! She’s too fat for me! Frankie
Yancavic pegged this one didn’t he? Great start for some Mustanger though.
Sad to see such a promising car go to
waste.
Was the garage on the sun?
AZ car and appears to have been baked for some time before being garaged.
Temps can get well into 3 digits and if the windows were closed, extreme temps inside. Factor in UV and presto, this well done Mustang.
Those are older AZ plates and it’s doubtful there’s much rust but that car equals a lot of work, read $$$, facing the new owner. This era of Mustang hailing from rust belt states are just memories now. Grab this one.
Love this body style of Mustang. The long hood with those twin scoops and the fastback. Some slots wrapped in fat tires completes the look.
Why would anybody pay that much for this car in this condition?
If an undesirable car like this in this condition is worth this much, I am going to send all of these Mexico has to the US.
Looks like he was living in this car.
I’ve had several mustangs from 67-70 but never a 71-73 it was not my favorite style but I do like it. I would buy the car if I had room and time to build it, you don’t see many of these at car shows and for the price your driving a cool classic for nowhere the cost of some others.
Looks like the garage or barn did not have a roof on it there is water damage to the inside of this car.
Has stereo and tilt wheel also. Seller should spend an hour cleaning the trash out of the interior, dusting and cleaning the seats and dash. vacuuming would do wonders as well. dash below pad and console would probably clean up like new. If nothing else, it would get the bidding to go higher. I like the ’71-’73 Mustang styling.
I hated the style of these mustangs when I first saw one as a young kid, thought they where the ugliest car ever made (until I saw the AMC Pacer).
Now I like this body style very much and would like to have one!……
However I still hate the look of the AMC Pacer!
Flood damage looks to me. Good luck who ever buys this mess.
If you look at the photo, passengers side window is down, drivers side door panel looks like it was under a waterfall, I’d bet that window has been open for 30 yrs too, probably was outside, window went, then parked inside, now outside again, may have a drain in the floor, I mean a hole,
Don’t worry dyno dan no one understands the world of collectables. This car is a good case in point.LOL……………………Later……………………..JIMMY
Never liked the 1971 to 1973 but lately they have been growing on me. I was going to bid on it just because I thought the price was reasonable.
You really must like to put these filthy old sleds on here just to see our reaction. It’s just the same as dangling a pork chop over a hungry pack of snarling Chihuahuas.