We’ve recently seen a few fantastic First Generation Mustangs emerge from hiding at Barn Finds, but this 1972 Mach 1 could be up with the best of them. It is a low-mileage classic that has spent more than four decades in hiding. Its cause is helped by its remaining unmolested and it seems structurally sound. The time has come for it to find a new home, so the seller has listed it here on Craigslist in Georgetown, South Carolina. They have set the sale price for this amazing Mustang at $65,000. I must thank Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty for us.
The seller’s photos aren’t the greatest, and they don’t do a classic of this caliber justice. They reveal a heavy layer of dust coating its Light Pewter paint, but the exterior appears unmolested. The spoilers are intact, as is the optional Ram Air hood. Nobody has slapped on a set of aftermarket alloy wheels, with the car rolling on its original steelies with their dog dish hubcaps and trim rings. While the dust makes it difficult to be sure, it looks like the paint may be in good order. The first move for the new owner will be to treat this beauty to a wash. That course of action will make an enormous difference, and I won’t be surprised if the buyer finds it needs nothing but a buff and polish to present at its best. The limited photos make it impossible to determine any rust problems, but there are a few positive attributes worth considering. The dust looks dry, as does the concrete beneath. Such favorable conditions could mean that there are no rust issues to tackle. Only an in-person inspection would confirm this, but the apparent approachability of the seller suggests they may entertain that idea. The trim and glass are in good order, adding to the positive vibes being exuded by this Mach 1.
When I spotted the Ram Air hood, I hoped to find the HO or CJ version of the 351ci V8 under this Mustang’s hood. The buyer receives the 351-2V version that produced 177hp in its prime. The power found its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, while the car features power assistance for its steering and front disc brakes. Performance figures are all you might expect from a vehicle weighing 3,360lbs with 177hp under the right foot. The journey down the ¼ mile would take 17.1 seconds before the V8 ran out of breath at 120mph. The seller doesn’t indicate when this classic last ran or whether the engine turns freely. There’s no doubt that many perishable items will require replacement, meaning that the Mustang is unlikely to be mechanically roadworthy after a weekend’s tinkering in a home workshop. However, it is original, and the seller indicates it has a genuine 45,807 miles showing on its odometer.
If this Mustang’s exterior seems to need little to present at its best, the buyer will face even less work with the interior. The original owner ordered it trimmed in black vinyl, and there’s not much to criticize with its condition. The seats show no wear or physical damage, with the same true for the carpet. The dash and pad are excellent, and even the crack-prone wheel is in good order. I suspect that a bit of effort with some high-quality cleaning products would return it close to a factory-fresh state. Refreshingly, nobody has sullied this interior with a bunch of aftermarket additions. It may not be loaded with luxury items, but the factory air conditioning and AM radio are welcome inclusions.
Occasionally, a classic car will appear on our desks at Barn Finds, and we can’t help but wonder about its back story. That is the case with this 1972 Mustang Mach 1. I wonder whether the seller knows it because it could potentially be fascinating. I would love to find out why the original owner parked it and why it has lain undisturbed for four decades. It will require a thorough mechanical check before returning to active duty, but its panels and interior should respond positively to nothing beyond a deep clean. The reality is that the seller’s price places it on the top rung for a Mach 1 of this vintage, but its originality and odometer reading will still attract many people. It has only been on the market a few days, but do you think it will quickly find a new home?
Think they’ll wash it for $65,000?
That looks like a 3 speed shift pattern on the shift knob…
Blow up the photo – it is a 3-speed pattern …
a game changer!
Terrible presentation of a classic car the seller is too lazy to wash/detail and take decent pictures of. For $65k, this Mustang should be running with a cleaned-out fuel system, brakes gone through, perishables replaced under the hood and new tires. Good luck getting all that money for a dirty, non-runner.
We all “get” the allure of seeing a car in its “barn find state.” But after that, then it’s time to actually market the car. Like FordGuy1972 says, it takes effort (and money) to get top dollar for what appears to be a nice car.
I sometimes think in terms of real estate: houses need to be in good condition to justify the price and facilitate the sale. Not too much real estate for the regular consumer being sold in “as is” condition.
Well welll , for laughing out loud =)
here we go again
I was all set to leave a comment the second i saw the pictures about how perfect an exceptional, quintessential and a perfect example of what a ‘ barn find ‘ is .
Then i see the comments..
and here we go again
NO actually id like the dust to be intact please,
Id like to see the storage spot
id like it not to have cheap modern import parts
Thats a fricken awesome barn find
Thank you Adam and ‘ Barn Finds ‘ for delighting my eyes and amazement
The price .. yup, thats gonna cut me out of the running
Is it worth it, my fellow peanuts
Lets have a quick consensus of opinions of value
AS IT SITS
as a fresh barn find.
I genuinely appreciate several good photos a barn find in “as found” condition. It is part of the car’s story, that should be documented.
I would also expect to see the car properly cleaned, inside and out, so that it’s condition can be accurately determined.
I have owned dozens of cars that have been left to varying degrees of long-term storage. I actually prefer to recommission or revive the cars myself.
I have seen some cars basically ruined, or otherwise devalued by a cheap/quick attempt to get them running. Most owners that intend to sell such cars spend as little as possible. Cheap generic parts including brakes, tires, exhaust, battery, fuel system are usually selected instead of OEM or NOS. Rare original parts(that could have been repaired or rebuilt) are often damaged or discarded in the process. The workmanship is also typically quick and dirty.
The reality is that a proper, and thorough recommissioning can take thousands of dollars, and many months , including time spent sourcing NOS parts and waiting on rebuilt components.
The final reason for recommissioning cars myself is that I get to truly know the car, and gain personal satisfaction doing so. I also have more confidence in driving the car with the knowledge that no corners have been cut on safety or reliability.
When I buy cars like this one, I always pay significantly less for a dirty car.
Im applauding Cam, thank you, bravo bravo
Im your new barn finds fan =)
I’m not a Ford person, but, when I saw it was in my home town of Georgetown, SC I just about dropped my phone….:-)
For $65k? The seller would have to get it running and driving. Deliver it to my door. And, drive me around for a month. After they painted my house.
Lazy lazy lazy lazy
Greedy greedy greedy greedy
What more can we add
How about No Sale.
Ugly ugly ugly
I should add; while I pay less for a dirty ride, I offer even less for a vehicle that has been poorly or cheaply revived. Case in point: I bought a somewhat rare “project” GM squarebody pickup last fall for $2,000. I would have paid $4,000+ had the owner not screwed it up trying to get it going on the cheap.
I could this angle too.
Sweetie i am going to flip this one .. i know we have too many cars…. This one is not staying long.
I like the car for 20s but to achieve 65 when really for sell (wink wink)
Show receipts and car totally gone through
WAY overpriced for a weak 177hp V8, Mach 1 or no Mach 1.
Yeah, it’s a ” mock 1.”
It is actually a somewhat rare weirdo in the Mustang world…in 1972 Ford had trouble getting Ram-Air emissions certified on the 4bbl HO and CJ so introduced a 2bbl version that was approved..so you could only get Ram-Air on the 2bbl 351c in 1972.
What’s with the person in the body bag next to the passenger door. Is s/he included?
I’m guessing someone added dual exhaust; the tailpipes aren’t correct.
Those are the photos you post for a $65k car?
Sad watered down end of a once mighty trim package in the Mach 1. Must be a over the road guy that scrawled that message under the hood because it looks like the inside of a long haul. Cleaned up all the parts are there, some of the rare ones like functional ram air. the hood pins, flat black race hood, BOSS 351 stuff.
Way overpriced for a dirty 351 2V with a 3 speed why Ford even sold the Mach 1 package with the 302 or 351 2V I have no idea to upgrade to the far more potent 351 4V when new it was only about $50 more but required premium fuel due to the compression ratio jump. I have always liked the 71-72 body style when most people didn’t In 1978 these are the cars I could have picked up but had nowhere to store them so I passed. Keep in mind these were all mint low mileage cars.
1) 72 Mach 1 351 4V almost every option 25K miles $2600
2) 71 Mach 1 429 SCJ It was an outrageous price then $4400 the dealer that had it said they could pull the motor and sell it for $2500
3) 71 Boss 351 $3300 in the town in IL where I grew up there were no less than 6 different ones running around there
Too bad it’s such a snoozer with the functional Ram Air hood with pop up hood pins and flat black race paint. Cosmetically it looks like a 71 BOSS 351 I had back in the day. The engine was the car. I’m a purist but I would defiantly consider putting a more powerful and sexy mill in the big Mustang for about half the asking price of course.
First time I’ve seen this and if I thought I could get that, I’d consider selling. 1972 Mach 1with 🤔 27000 miles. 351cj, 4 speed. Ordered new at 19 years old my first new vehicle. Only drove it for about 1.5 years and for the most has set since. IF, I ever sell it would be trailered away and never seen in the area again. She was my first true love.