1973 mustang mach 1

AmishRebel · Jun 7, 2006

I've got a $6000 question for you classic guys. I was cruisin down the street the other day and I noticed a respectfully restored Mach 1 Mustang so i figured "ah what the hell" and got out to look at it. Turns out its a 1973 mustang mach 1 which appears to be fully restored complete with ram air and a yellow paint job with black stripes. The thing that really got me was the price, only $6k, and from my experience that was rather cheap for a full resto car. Anyway I started to research this car only to find out that it pretty much sucked. The car came with 3 optional engines in 73' which included a really weak V6, and 2 351c options. One of the 351's is a 2 barrel carb which hardly pushed 200 horse and the other one is a 4 barrel carb which made a somewhat respectable 266 horse. If I purchased this car it would not necessarily be to "go fast" (I have a 97' Cobra for that), it would be to own a respectable show car that is decently quick (I refuse to drive a sports car that doesn't run 14s). So here's the $6000 question; is this car worth a crap if it has the 4 barrel carb. NADA value on this car puts it at $9k, of course its only worth that much to a collector, making it difficult to buy this car for resale. My next question is how do I check the vin# against the engine code to find out how original it is. The seller claims that the car is original. Thnx for any input you have.

mudbilly · Jun 7, 2006

there is a thread about this in tech

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=639848

i don't know what mine would do in the quarter, but it is plenty fast with a 302.............i like the looks of the restored mach and would jump on it for 6k if i already didn't own the vert............

electricgreen · Jun 7, 2006

We've got more than that into our 73, and it's not got paint, body isnt done, we're still debating motor choices, and the interior isnt in it yet. Big bodies (71-73) arent typically as popular as earlier models. I love ours and they've grown on me to a point that I like them better than some other years (to avoid flames over whos car is uglier than whos I'm not going there as to what years)-although I still think if I HAD to choose, I like my 00's styling better. Marginally though. I'd jump on it for that price, but you gotta like it.

Gud T.B. Blown · Jun 7, 2006

if the body is straight without any major rust issues, the interior is complete, and it really is a mach 1 (05) on the vin, then 6k is a steal. especially with ram air. and if it's an original ram air car it would have the 351 2V as the ram air was unavailable on a 4V car.

Carls69coupe · Jun 7, 2006

You gotta love the car for what it is, a "Classic Mach 1" man, I would go for it if you like the style. Personally I think the long hood and full sweep fast back look is really cool and it will only be a matter of time before the '71-'73's become more desireable and the value goes up.

jes72mustang · Jun 8, 2006

I agree with Carls.
The big body stangs of 71-73 are starting to recieve more attention from the resto parts guys. I have had my 72 coupe for about 3 years and even in that time I have seen more parts become available. I paid 4k for mine and it needs some body work and has had some engine work done and the interior has had some half-a$$ed work done. But for me it is a running project. If the body is stright and rust free, and paint is good, interior is all together, 6K for any fastback is worth it. If it is a functional ram air and not just the ram air hood that is a bonus. Cleveland engines can be built to be rather strong 400+ HP at the crank.

Good luck with your decision.

electricgreen · Jun 9, 2006

Yeah, def agree on the rust free! Ours was a 100% Buffalo NY car and it SHOWED!! When we pulled the interior to get pans in (ended up needing torque box repair also), there was a 4-5" long piece on the carpet below the scuff plate of crytalized salt...ick. Not so excited about the idea of cowl repair either. But, she was just destined to be ours. Can't wait to get her back out. One other thing-the rear window isn't a window, its a skylight. Sit in it and make sure you'd be comforatable driving it. We NEVER considered this-until I had to try to back it off a trailer at 11 at night. Real fun (not). Merging is still an experiance.

Platonic Solid · Jun 10, 2006

electricgreen said:
Yeah, def agree on the rust free! Ours was a 100% Buffalo NY car and it SHOWED!! When we pulled the interior to get pans in (ended up needing torque box repair also), there was a 4-5" long piece on the carpet below the scuff plate of crytalized salt...ick. Not so excited about the idea of cowl repair either. But, she was just destined to be ours. Can't wait to get her back out. One other thing-the rear window isn't a window, its a skylight. Sit in it and make sure you'd be comforatable driving it. We NEVER considered this-until I had to try to back it off a trailer at 11 at night. Real fun (not). Merging is still an experiance.

Lol. You took the words right out of my mouth, especially regarding the cowl and the rear window. Basically, the rear view mirror could be narrowed to 1" tall without losing any rear view visibility. Add a wing to the trunk lid and you might as well remove the rear view mirror entirely. You should see me trying to back mine around the driveway without the sideview mirrors. (that's actually one of the reasons I like the coupe)

$6k is a great price if it is as described. If the seller described "original" means the suspension and steering components haven't been replaced, you might find it a challenge to drive (especially after driving your 97 Cobra).

Carls69coupe · Jun 11, 2006

Just remember-IT'S A CLASSIC MACH 1 MAN

chepsk8 · Jun 15, 2006

What's the engine code in the VIN?

The "Q" code 351C is the good motor.

BTW, "I"6, not V-6, we had to suffer with that in 1975.

1973 mustang mach 1

AmishRebel

New Member

mudbilly

Member

electricgreen

Gud T.B. Blown

Member

Carls69coupe

New Member

jes72mustang

New Member

electricgreen

Platonic Solid

Carls69coupe

New Member

chepsk8

Similar threads

1973 mustang mach 1

New Member

Member

Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency