'71 Mach 1 - please critique

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My Car
Long time Pontiac guy, jumped ship, now driving a '71 Grabber Green Mach 1 with "J" code 429 Cobra Jet, close-ratio 4 speed, 3.50 Traction-Lok rear.
Hey guys- Feel free to critique this one for me:

http://www.flemingsultimategarage.com/1971-ford-mustang-mach-1-c-2273.htm?make=FORD&model=MUSTANG&

It's an H code so I figured ok, someone probably installed an intake and 4 barrel carb, headers, etc. which are pretty common swaps with these to bring up the HP. Then I'm looking at the engine pics, and it doesn't even appear to be a Cleveland! I noticed that it only says 351 multiple places in the online description and never the word Cleveland. I come from a Pontiac background and I'm used to spotting these things like a 403 Olds in a '79 Trans Am rather than a 400 Pontiac. Those are easy due to a big old oil filler sticking up in front on the Olds.

This Mach 1 does have the 05 VIN code but what's up with the chrome trim on the leading edge of the hood and the front fenders? I figured it was a striped up 02 VIN Sportsroof, but no it has the Mach 1 VIN code. I'm already used to accepting the chrome front bumper on a Mach 1 due to the difficulty in obtaining replacement urethane front bumpers. But I don't think that chrome trim should be elsewhere on the front of the car. This car caught my attention originally due to the 4 speed, but the asking price is too high (almost a given with a dealer) and the engine shoots the whole thing down for me anyway. I believe they offer covered shipping along with their price, but IMO it is too high for this car regardless.

 
This is not meant to be a critique (as I don't do those) but I would like to state there was only ONE fast back "H' Code built in 1971 with the 4-speed.

The Marti report would be interesting for this one, in my opinion.

BT

 
1) Looks to be an incorrect shade of yellow

2) Hockey-stick stripes look to be cut off at door gaps instead of wrapped around.

3) Black-out painted incorrectly

4) Missing hood pins (If in combo with black-out)

5) incorrect front-end chrome trim (should have body-colored hood and fender trim, and eurathane bumper)

6) Mirrors black instead of body-color

7) Wrong engine (no 351 Windsors installed in 71-73 [American] Mustangs)

8) Fiberglass "Ram-Air" air-cleaner replica...not very convincing up close.

9) Wrong seat covers (Does not have "mach 1" interior)

10) Wrong steering wheel (Deluxe 2-spoke standard in mach 1)

It appears to be a standard low-option "sportroof" that has been trimmed up to resemble a Mach 1. The giveaway (among other things) is the center dash emblem: If this were a true Mach 1, it would say "Mach 1" on it instead of just "Mustang".

But...it still looks to be a nice car. For the right price, why not? I would say $15,000, maybe $20,000 if it runs good and looks good up close.

Most certainly NOT the $35,000 or whatever they are asking.

A check of the VIN will tell the tale...

 
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Well that's the kicker, the VIN is listed as 1F05H215943. What's that old saying- there's something rotten in the state of Denmark? ha This isn't a car where they would want to show a Marti report to any potential customers. And this place seems to move a lot of iron so they should know what these cars are and what they are not.

 
The engine is definitely a 351 Windsor due to the by-pass hose jutting out of the intake manifold. 351 Cleveland motors did not have the by-pass hose, only the 302 and 351W.
And Clevelands do not have the thermostat housing and radiator hose connected to the intake manifold.

 
1) Looks to be an incorrect shade of yellow

2) Hockey-stick stripes look to be cut off at door gaps instead of wrapped around.

3) Black-out painted incorrectly

4) Missing hood pins (If in combo with black-out)

5) incorrect front-end chrome trim (should have body-colored hood and fender trim, and eurathane bumper)

6) Mirrors black instead of body-color

7) Wrong engine (no 351 Windsors installed in 71-73 [American] Mustangs)

8) Fiberglass "Ram-Air" air-cleaner replica...not very convincing up close.

9) Wrong seat covers (Does not have "mach 1" interior)

10) Wrong steering wheel (Deluxe 2-spoke standard in mach 1)

It appears to be a standard low-option "sportroof" that has been trimmed up to resemble a Mach 1. The giveaway (among other things) is the center dash emblem: If this were a true Mach 1, it would say "Mach 1" on it instead of just "Mustang".

But...it still looks to be a nice car. For the right price, why not? I would say $15,000, maybe $20,000 if it runs good and looks good up close.

Most certainly NOT the $35,000 or whatever they are asking.

A check of the VIN will tell the tale...
Kit, are you sure on your comment about the center dash. "The giveaway (among other things) is the center dash emblem: If this were a true Mach 1, it would say "Mach 1" on it instead of just "Mustang"." My older brother's first Mach 1 had the standard interior, without comfortweave and without the guage package. I remember his center dash saying Mustang. I have never seen that standard center stack with "Mach 1" in it.

As for the rest of the interior, it looks like someone ordered the Black/Black Mach 1 covers and did not put the medallions on. The upholstery job looks too loose for a Ford job.

Not criticizing, just learning!

 
First and foremost: it's a good lookin' car. If the restorer would've paid a bit more attention to details and gotten them right, it would garner more money. But, since they didn't, you have value-detracting flaws that have been pointed out.

That's TMI Deluxe upholstery - I know, since I put the exact same stuff (sport seat version, though) in mine. The bucket covers don't come with the brightwork buttons, and the originals are a PITA to remove from the original seat covers for re-use.

It looks like a hodge-podge of after market and restored parts to put this one back together. Aside from the obvious 351 Windsor, some of the details don't match. For instance:

  • Mach1 would've had a clock "somewhere" in the car - in this case, in-place of the warning light instrument cluster
  • Deluxe seats usually came with Deluxe door panels and chrome-trimmed dash panels
  • Ram Air and Tutone hood black out were added, based on missing hood locks
  • Non A/C car with center ducts in dashboard


BT, are you sure about only being 1 H-code with a 4-sp? I wouldn't think transmission codes would be dictated by engine codes.

Like I said, good lookin' car. Just need the details corrected for that kind of money and to be presented as 'stock' configuration.

 
Yes, 4 speeds were only available with OEM 4-V engines, with exception of the one engineering-mule-BOSS 302-turned-351 2V-Mach1-factory freak.

 
First and foremost: it's a good lookin' car. If the restorer would've paid a bit more attention to details and gotten them right, it would garner more money. But, since they didn't, you have value-detracting flaws that have been pointed out.

That's TMI Deluxe upholstery - I know, since I put the exact same stuff (sport seat version, though) in mine. The bucket covers don't come with the brightwork buttons, and the originals are a PITA to remove from the original seat covers for re-use.

It looks like a hodge-podge of after market and restored parts to put this one back together. Aside from the obvious 351 Windsor, some of the details don't match. For instance:

  • Mach1 would've had a clock "somewhere" in the car - in this case, in-place of the warning light instrument cluster
  • Deluxe seats usually came with Deluxe door panels and chrome-trimmed dash panels
  • Ram Air and Tutone hood black out were added, based on missing hood locks
  • Non A/C car with center ducts in dashboard


BT, are you sure about only being 1 H-code with a 4-sp? I wouldn't think transmission codes would be dictated by engine codes.

Like I said, good lookin' car. Just need the details corrected for that kind of money and to be presented as 'stock' configuration.
Yes, according to "Mustang...by the Numbers (1967-1973)", Page 104, there was only one 351 2V Fastback built with the 4-speed (wide ratio) transmission.

It is not broken down as to whether that one unit was a Mach 1 or not which is why I said the "Marti" report on the car in question might prove interesting. Who knows, it just might have been that one fastback that was built in 1971 with a 351 2V and four speed transmission:).

Great Thread!

BT

 
Car probably came with 3 speed manual shift.

Just a hunch...

Ray
Probably like what happened to mine, the previous owner blew out the 3 speed, and swapped in a 4 speed top loader.

I'd bet a lot of 3 speed standards didn't survive long in these cars.

 
The lone 351 2V w/ 4 speed is very well documented and has been the subject of several indepth articles. It was discovered some time ago.

 
Hey - it's always a good day when you learn something new. Thanks for sharing! ::thumb::

 
If that VIN hasn't been swapped, I'll bet that it was a 3-speed H-code which has since received a toploader swap.

EDIT: Looks like someone beat me to it.

-Kurt

 
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It appears to be a standard low-option "sportroof" that has been trimmed up to resemble a Mach 1. The giveaway (among other things) is the center dash emblem: If this were a true Mach 1, it would say "Mach 1" on it instead of just "Mustang".

Kit, are you sure on your comment about the center dash. "The giveaway (among other things) is the center dash emblem: If this were a true Mach 1, it would say "Mach 1" on it instead of just "Mustang"." My older brother's first Mach 1 had the standard interior, without comfortweave and without the guage package. I remember his center dash saying Mustang. I have never seen that standard center stack with "Mach 1" in it.

+1 on the MUSTANG on the center dash. Mine also came with the MUSTANG on the center dash, had the Corinthian Mach 1 Interior. Not all came with MACH 1 on the center dash.

 
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