Original build question

70cobrascj · Dec 2, 2024

Here is a 72 Mach listed on BT and its stated to be a survivor. In the pics of the rear view you can see there is no black paint in the gap between the tail light openings and honeycomb panel. From my understanding this area should have been blacked out.
I’m no expert on these cars as I’m fairly new to them.
But didn’t all 72’s have the belt light in the passenger side dash panel above the glove box?
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1...tm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_3674990

Doug's 73 Mach1 · Dec 2, 2024

The belt buzzers on 72s didn't happen until calendar year 1972. 72's built in 71 didn't have the buzzer. The belts light might have been the same. The tail light back panel zone next to the honey comb panel was supposed to be blacked out, however that extra step in the paint process probably was skipped now and again (laziness, cost cutting, keep the car body moving along, etc.)

Hemikiller · Dec 2, 2024

The changeover date for the active seat belt reminder system was 12/1/71, this car was built in Sept 71.

The ad copy doesn't mention survivor anywhere that I could find, but I didn't watch the videos. The taillight panel paint could have been left off at the factory as Doug noted, or maybe it had a minor rear end collision and was repainted. The rear bumper guards were not available on the 71-72 Mach 1s, but could have been added after the fact.

The seat covers have been redone, likely the carpet and the rest of the interior as well since it shows virtually no wear.

No matter what, that is an incredibly clean car for it's age and the photography is excellent. Lots of great detail shots, even the exhaust is original.

70cobrascj · Dec 2, 2024

Yes it is a very nice original looking car. There is just something about original paint that just looks different.
He mentions in the video it is an all original survivor car with only the front bumper being repainted.
I really like the hood being all body color as it should.
I know two tone hood paint was an option but did ram air also give the two tone?
And I kind of like them with no side stripes too

rvrtrash · Dec 3, 2024

My '72 Mach 1 was Light Pewter, and didn't have black paint between the taillights and the honeycomb. I bought it in '77, so it could have been changed, but I didn't see any evidence of it at the time. The pop open gas cap I think was a '71 only item.

basstrix · Dec 3, 2024

Mine is an early 72 and doesn't have the seatbelt light.

bkdunha · Dec 4, 2024

Nice car. I would say alot of survivor left in it with a few maintenance items non-stock. My guess would be some back end work on it had been done as well. Thus, the tail light gap blackout missing and the non-original rear bumperette bumper. The underside of the decklid looks pretty bad possibly from a reshoot as well. All said though a good looking example. I have saved several pictures of the underside for future reference if needed.