By the time our feature car rolled off the production line in 1973, the Mustang was a very different car to the one that had emerged to a media and sales frenzy only nine years earlier. The Mustang had grown larger in every dimension, and could no longer be considered to be a pony car. All was not lost with the 1973 Mustang, and the right options and color could make the Mustang a nice car to own. This 1973 Mustang Mach 1 is just such a car. You will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Westfield, New Jersey, and is being offered for sale with a clean title. The owner has set a sale price of $22,000 on what is a claimed low mileage example.
The owner of this Mach 1 claims that the car has been in climate controlled storage for around 30 years and that it has only clocked 31,000 miles. These were not my favorite Mustangs, mainly because they had become big and heavy. However, I acknowledge that this was because Ford was aiming the Mustang at a very different market in 1973 than it had with the same car nine years earlier. To me, what saves this car is the color. I’ve seen ’73 models in plenty of different colors, but this combination somehow makes the car look lighter. The paint and graphics are said to be original and look to be in pretty decent condition. the seller states that there are some cracks in the clear coat, but he thinks that these issues will be an easy fix. There are also a number of shots of the underside of the car, and the floors and frame look to be solid. The seller also provides this YouTube video which gives a brief walk-around of the car.
The interior of the Mustang looks quite good. The only real issue that I can see is that the carpet and seat fabric may be a bit faded, but that might also be a trick of the light. Otherwise, the interior looks really good. Among the goodies on the car is a rim blow horn, which apparently works perfectly. The car is also fitted with a back seat “pass-through” panel, which is a pretty cool feature.
Under the hood is the 351ci Cleveland CJ engine which is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller has done a reasonable amount of work on the Mustang to get it back up and running properly. This has included fitting a new battery, new battery cables, all new belts, new power steering pump, all new filters, new fuel lines, new fuel pump, new factory gas tank and sending unit, new wiper motor, new front shocks, front brakes redone, new wheel cylinders in rear wheels, and new brake lines. The seller also provides this YouTube video of the car running and driving off down the road, and it does sound nice.
The 1973 Mustang was the end of the line for the First Generation car, and while some people love these cars, some are quite indifferent about them. At the end of the day, it is like considering any classic or collectible car: It all comes down to personal taste. I’m not a fan of these, but if I were to consider buying a ’73 Mustang, one like this would be pretty high on my list, as it seems to be a clean and honest example. If the car checks out as okay, then the asking price is definitely in the ballpark.
Agreed that these bloated examples are not the pinnacle of Mustang design. I’ve always loved their aggressive shape, especially with the right stance (buns up!) & this color combo is the best!
Wonder how these cars would’ve been received in about 80% scale….
Take a look at an Alfa Montreal from the same vintage.
interesting. Kinda looks like a cross between a Pantera & a ‘cuda. Definitley see the resemblance but much better proportions.
The 71-73 fastback Mustangs look a bit like a Mangusta to me too. Just a shame somebody decided to make them so damn big.
Ford gave car shoppers whiplash with the Pinto-based Mustang II the next year. From 20% too big to 20% too small!
Whole lot lighter than new mustangs
I thought these cars were shot in single stage acrylic enamel. What “clear coat?”
Absolutely correct!
Right? Came to ask what 73 Ford has a clear coated anything from the factory.
Noticed that too. Curious, right?
The ashtray full of cigarette butts really sells it for me.
Looks like rusted bolts, screws, and pocket change to me.
Required for quick fixes…
Those are vintage!
I love ❤️ the 60s model and have a 67 vert . This car is not bad with the Cleveland and the FOUR speed is great along with color black.
The cancer sticks make it hard to get out of the upholstery and should of staid in the 70s lifestyle sadly ….
I used ground coffee on a 2003 Dakota that I bought
from a heavy smoker.I spread it out (thick) on the seat &
carpeting,& kept the windows closed on a few hot Summer
days.It got rid of the smell.
Did it get rid of the smell or change it for a new one?
Industrial Febreze available in gallons…doesn’t appear to be any burns, though, so that’s a bit of a plus. I wonder what the black box is on the support?
Looks like a “Black Box”, Dude. Haha, ya know?? Sorry. I just couldn’t resist that one. But, I agree… What is it?
I like!!!!!
I have a 73 convertable and everyone says the are huge and bloated. I think it is all in your perspective. Went to price out a 2018 for a daily driver and it was almost as big in length and wheel base, wider by a lot and taller by a lot. The specs put the weight at dead even by a few pounds. Also a lot less room in the interior.
The more I look at the ash tray (interestingly, my Javelin had it marked as an “ash receiver”), the more I’m convinced it’s pennies and perhaps some other bric-a-brac.
Agree with you as to the pennies, etc. Not cigarette butts.
A very fine Mustang indeed, especially with the 351 Cleveland!
As a dyed-in-the wool Corvette, and Corvette only guy, I have to say this car is really nice looking and I would love to own this one. Seems well-priced to me.
A fine example of a rapidly growing collectible with nice options,who wouldn’t want the black exterior and a CJ with 4-speed ! A cool ride indeed!
My daughter likes these. I had her psychoanalyzed. Cars are way to big. Did you see the losers on here arguing about what is in the ahs tray? Get lives, please.
Get a dictionary, please.
I would never consider a car that has been smoked in. I guess I am also a looser.
It’s a Kansas promotional phrase. “Kansas, the Land of Ahs.”
Until you drop a chain 40 miles west of Hays. That’s ok. It was 103 degrees anyway. Then it’s “ahhh shiiii..”
As for the Muskrat, it still is a time machine.
40 miles west of Hays…Wakeeney? Collier?
Wakeeney, just shy of it. Found a masterlink to fit. Actually, I bought three of ’em. Ground off the link plate and we were on our way. Four hours later.
Dressed to kill….
I call foul on the 31,000-mile claim. I know it is a manual transmission, but that seems to be a lot wear on the parking brake pedal, the interior looks a bit shoddy, and the door jambs and bottom of the doors seem to have some rust. It is a cool car with a desirable drivetrain, fresh paint, and new wheels and tires. Sorry, but I call them like I see ’em.
They must have sold a lot of these because I remember seeing a lot of Mach 1’s back in the day.
Now, not so much. A lot of them must have gotten used up, wrecked, junked.
New exhaust system would have went a long way.
To me, it looks naked without the reversed “C” type stripe, still it’s a beauty! :-)
Every time I see this series of Mustang, memories of Roger Moore, in ‘Diamonds are Forever’ come flooding in. It gives me a warm feeling the same as Steve McQueen in ‘Bullitt’ did for the previous generation, and Jim Garner in ‘Grand Prix’ did for the first generation. These are undervalued, relative to the previous generations, and arguably prettier.
If the 1968 we were all recently wrangling over:
https://barnfinds.com/professors-pony-1968-ford-mustang-gt-fastback/
was worth $26,000+, needing EVERYTHING, then this is just a huge bargain.
The Cleveland may not be the Boss version, but it can make very respectable horsepower. This version is in every way a better handling machine than the previous series (once you lower it back down), and there are less obtrusive air conditioning solutions, including a complete conversion to factory A/C.
It is the Rodney Dangerfield of Mustangs (as opposed to the next series of so-called Mustang II’s, which was the PeeWee Herman of Mustangs).
I tend to agree. Simply because their style strayed from the iconic original, they tend not to receive a second look – but I believe that second look is needed to appreciate the design, on its own merits. I myself prefer the look of the “bloated” years… there’s a more sinister air about them.
Hi all – I am the owner of the 1973 Mach 1 and am surprised to find it here in Barn Finds! Awesome! Just to clear the air on some of the questions – that ashtray does not have cigarette butts in it. They are nuts and bolts and loose change – that is all. The guy I got it from (2nd owner), who owned it 35 years, did not smoke. Nor do I. The car does have 31,000 actual miles on it. The title I received from the prior owner had 28,000 miles on it when he bought it. So he only drove it 3k miles during his ownership. Car has just sat most of its life. Car originally came from Brooklyn. Former owner had the whole car repainted 30 years ago, bought a fancy house in the burbs of New Jersey and the car sat dormant until earlier this year. Attached is a picture just taken today. I think its peak week for leaves here in the Garden State.
Great looking car! Good luck with the sale. And thanks for “clearing the air” on the smoking controversy that had many BF undies in a bunch. Great pun and now folks can concentrate on the exhaust system! lol.
Very interesting Bill! My wife and I had an almost identical car that we restored and sold it to someone who lived in Brooklyn, NY back in the mid 80s. Our car was black exterior and interior just like yours, had a 351CJ and a 4 speed as well. Additionally had the rim-blow steering wheel and fold down rear seat options. Of particular similarity is the cobra snake emblem in the center of the grill and the boss style valve covers. This could very well be the same car
Nice looking ‘stang… why is the exhaust system so crusty… looks out of place.
Sean Connery was in diamonds are forever
@Craig Walker – You, sir are correct. When I was writing this, I originally wrote ‘James Bond’, but named the other two actor’s names, not their characters.
In my proofreading, I caught it, and hastily plugged in Moore’s name, not thinking it through.
It is all the more sad, because I am sort of a Bond fanatic. I can proudly claim to have seen every Bond ever made – in the theater! I have most of the Bonds on DVD (or VHS, sadly).
I also have the vinyl album, “Music to Read James Bond by”, and on CD.
These Mustangs really do stir a lot of memories.
Thank you for catching that.
Thumbs up.
Removed from the barn only long enough to be painted.
I wonder what “Bunkie” Knudsen thought of these when they came out a few years after he’d been fired.
Bigger,or shall I say wider, to allow the 429 to fit without hassle. Ironically that only lasted one year.
These Mach 1’s and the equally imposing Boss 351 do have a swagger about them, more aggressive styling than the earlier Mustangs, only reason I passed on one thirty years ago was when I looked up into the rear view mirror and realized there was next to zero visibility, not good on southern California’s busy highways.
Yeah. Visibility didn’t appear to be of much concern by the manufacturers. Didn’t notice it myself back then. But, today it really stands out. That being said, I really like this car. Here I am, 75 years old and still saying, “One of these days…”
In 1973 the color black wasn’t even an option. There has been only 1 documented black convertible ordered, was in mustang monthly years ago.
There is not much original here. Black was not an option, magnum 500 wheels were not available on 73 mustang and the spoiler is on backwards! To much wrong here. I need to see documentation on this! Buyer beware and demand proof!
New tank, sender, and fuel lines, yet the filter looks awful. Needs s closer inspection. Other wise nice car. Wait black no AC
Personal taste was added for the black exterior,looks good to me! Some might complain about zero visibility out back,but that is why they put mirrors on the doors.Ashtrays are a rare storage area.Are they even an option to the day?
Some manufacturers offer a smokers package as an option. I quit 12 years ago, so it’s not needed
The Mini Cooper I bought in ’08 came with an ashtray insert for the cupholder. I gave it to the kids who enjoyed playing with it.
Everybody talking about blind spots and not being able to see… I have a 2017 Ram and it has so many blindspots, I feel like Helen Keller driving down the road… I didn’t notice it much on my test drive… kinda regret buying it now but gotta live with it, just have to be REALLY careful…
FYI – for future reference as it does not appear that this car has any issue with former owners smoking in it, use an ozone machine to get rid of objectionable smells.
They sell do-it-yourself ozone machine kits on eBay. I got one, built it on a scrap of wood and used it to defunkify my musty lake house. Also used it to get rid of the ‘skunked AC’ smell in my 2012 Dodge Charger. The thing is awesome. Any time the house or car gets funky I just run it for a half hour or so and go for a walk… problem solved.
Warning: Do not plan to inhabit any space where the ozone machine is running until after airing it out. It can be dangerous to living things in high concentrations.
I love this body style, Mu first car was an 641/2 Mustang 2+2 very small & light
These are bigger& stronger, suspension, motor, trans C-6 vs. C-4 , 351C , 429,
Great on the hi- way, not so nimble in the city, but you can thrash em a bot more than the early light duty models!