Hoping to reclaim some of the market share the Ford Mustang had lost since 1967, the company introduced a “luxury” model in 1969 called the Grande. The Grande had a higher level of trim than regular Mustangs and came with a vinyl roof. The model lasted through 1973 but didn’t return when the reinvented and smaller Mustang II arrived in 1974. The ’71 edition seen here belonged to the seller’s neighbor, and it was in hibernation for 37 years until he bought and cleaned it up. Needing a restoration and located in Vienna, Virginia, this Grande project is available here on eBay. The opening bid of $5,000 has yet to be cast. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The Mustang was restyled in 1971 (on the existing platform), but sales remained stagnant. The Grande saw assemblies total 17,400 units, with most coming with a V8 engine. The seller’s car has the “Cleveland” version of the 351 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and an automatic transmission. During the early years of the Mustang, you could order one with the “luxury” or “pony” interior, perhaps the forerunner of what would become the Grande.
This Mustang was parked in 1989, and no attempts were made to start it for 37 years. While not necessarily stuck, the seller says some Mystery Oil and elbow grease will be needed to see if it will react. Also, the ignition switch was removed because of a stuck key, so it will have to be fixed to start the car. Including the seller, this is only a two-owner vehicle. The tires are 40+ years old, so only expect the car to roll for now.
The seller replaced the factory rims with aftermarket ones, though two remain along with the original wheel covers. The paint is faded, but the gold stripe is tape that should come off. The vinyl roof covering is cracked and peeling, so it will have to go. And the upholstery and dash pad need replacement inside the Ford, at a minimum. The car may have fewer than 20,000 miles, but 120,000 seems more logical. Will you be the savior to give this Mustang another chance?
Nope.
Needs everything, including rust repair on the drivers side inner fender. It’s hard to see someone paying the amount of the opening bid, $5,000, let alone the BIN, $10,000.
Steve R
Credit to the seller for what appears to be an attempt at an honest description of this decades-in-the-garage Mustang. Not a particularly popular model, and plenty of work needed, so I’m not sure what its future may hold.
The owner needs to get out of fantasy land on that price. Way too much work needs done. He’ll be lucky to pull down $5k. 10 is dreaming.
Any reasonable sensible thinking person knows….seller is way off on the price. This car is not a collectable. Needs extensive restoration….. probably looking at another $5K just in parts….and that’s being nice.
You buy it for 5 and spend 5….10K now. Not worth 10K even if it was new looking.
It would be worth more than ten if restored. But no one is going to restore it for 5 grand.
You will probably be at 30k before it is even drivable. Parts car here.
I don’t know if it will take $30k to make it “drivable” or not. If the engine is seized, then yes, the cost could get that high. But if the engine turns freely, a new fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, a carburetor rebuild kit and a standard tune up should get it running, at least. Flush the radiator and replace the heater core, to deal with potential leaks, and replace all of the hoses, which are likely dry rotted. Figure on rebuilding the suspension and replacing the tires to get it drivable, so maybe between two grand and three grand if you’re lucky. Add a grand to two grand for new wiring harnesses if electrical gremlins are present. The cosmetic issues can be taken care of as time and money permit, as long as the dreaded “tin worm” hasn’t found a home in the sheet metal!
By “drivable” I do mean roadworthy. I would be very surprised if the engine is not seized. Then literally every bushing, front end component, wheel cylinders, calipers, heater core, radiator, the transmission, etc. are almost certainly going to need work. 37 years is a loooong time to sit. Not to mention what critters ate at the wiring and who knows what else. At 5k you can take a risk. At 10k you can find more than a few ‘71-‘73 cars that are 10 footers and quite drivable. This would be a money pit just to get it there.
1971, ’72 & ’73 Mustangs looked best in fastback form IMO.
The Good: 351C V8, Green over green color scheme. The Bad: Parked for thirty-seven (37) years, vinyl top, not a convertible. The Ugly: Just about everything else! The paint is oxidized and faded, the vinyl top is sun bleached, tired and God only knows what condition the roof sheet metal is in under the vinyl! The seat covers, door cards, dash pad and carpets need a do-over, and again, who knows what condition the floorpans will be in under that carpet! The Verdict: Almost a good deal at the minimum bid of $5k, overpriced above that. If you ignore the cosmetics, getting it running shouldn’t be too hard, as long as the engine can still turn over and isn’t locked up, but if it is frozen, add an engine overhaul to the list of chores for this tired pony! Turn the engine over by hand first, so you don’t break the piston rings if you try to crank a frozen engine over. Squirt some Marvel Mystery Oil into each spark plug hole before you try to move the crankshaft! Oh, and BTW, lose the aftermarket stereo and alloy rims that are on it now! They scream 1972, LOL!
I bought a 73 Ford P/U with almost this exact history and I paid too much. But I learned a very valuable lesson “Don’t Ever Do That Again”.
put is back where it was found.