1971 Spring Special

[Tnfastbk]

So what can anyone tell me about the "Spring Special" mustang?

Not a lot of info out there. I know it was a coupe with Mach 1 styling (hood, stripes, bumper) but not much else. Cant seem to find a good value either.

 

[Boss1Ray]

Quite a bit of info has been posted on here.

Here is one thread:

 https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-1971-spring-sport

Saw where someone said 9003 produced.  Not sure where that number came from. EDIT: Apparently this info is came from "Mustang Special Editions" book And I am not sure how to determine one of these models using documentation - short of the specific equipment listed as line items.  I would like to see a Marti Report and/or window sticker for one.

I'd like to see a C, J or M code in that model! I like the weird/rare stuff like that. My bet is most of these cars ended up being parts cars for others!!!

Ray



Ray

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

The package is sort of like the Mach 1 package for the Sportsroof. No performance gains unless you checked other boxes on the order. Ford was know for doing a lot of packages that made you think the car was fast but just smoke and mirrors. Examples would be the California Special, Twister Special, High Country Special, Sprint, etc.

I do not think anyone is out there collecting these. If you like a coupe it does dress it up for sure.

Sort of like the SS package or Super Sport package on a Chevy. In the beginning you could get a SS with a 6 cylinder. It was a dress up package.

Tape is cheap.

 

[Hemikiller]

The ad you posted pretty much says it all.

As far as value, I don't see it adding much, maybe 5~10%

 

[MikeGriese]

Now if it came with the matching dress...

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Looked in Marti's book and in 71 he lists 9003 Special Value Package Coupes. One of those must have had a stripe delete because he shows 9002 coupes with stripe, humm.

Of course there were 6,247 Sprint coupes in 72.

 

[Boss1Ray]

Looked in Marti's book and in 71 he lists 9003 Special Value Package Coupes. One of those must have had a stripe delete because he shows 9002 coupes with stripe, humm.

Of course there were 6,247 Sprint coupes in 72.

Thanks David. There is a book; "Mustang Special Editions" by Brad Bowling and Jerry Heasley where this model is mentioned as well.

Ray

 

[donkost]

The package is sort of like the Mach 1 package for the Sportsroof. No performance gains unless you checked other boxes on the order. Ford was know for doing a lot of packages that made you think the car was fast but just smoke and mirrors. Examples would be the California Special, Twister Special, High Country Special, Sprint, etc.

I do not think anyone is out there collecting these. If you like a coupe it does dress it up for sure.

Sort of like the SS package or Super Sport package on a Chevy. In the beginning you could get a SS with a 6 cylinder. It was a dress up package.

Tape is cheap.

But the Chevy SS package was magic.  Now there are twice as many out there compared to the number that left the factory with the SS package.  lol

 

[york0060]

Don't now a lot about them , but here is a picture of my parents Spring Special. They have owned it since 73'.





marti report 71 mustang.pdf

 

[mudbilly]

I'm curious about the front bumper, i thought that aii 71 & 72 had the chrome  ?

 

[timachone]

I'm curious about the front bumper, i thought that aii  71 & 72 had the chrome  ?

Not the Spring Special model, that was a part of the special, please read the ads on the top, "color keyed bumpers", like the Mach 1's...

 

[mudbilly]

I didn't know that the the Mach 1's also had the colored bumpers.  I thought that ALL 71 & 72 models had the chrome bumpers. I guess I never looked that closely.

I now also assume that the 73 is the heavy 5mph impact resistant and the 71 & 72 were something different ?

 

[Hemikiller]

I didn't know that the the Mach 1's also had the colored bumpers.  I thought that ALL 71 & 72 models had the chrome bumpers. I guess I never looked that closely.

I now also assume that the 73 is the heavy 5mph impact resistant and the 71 & 72 were something different ?

Yes, it was very different. The Spring Special was essentially all the exterior "bling" of the Mach 1 in a car you could fit people over the age of 12 into the back seat.

 

[joe71]

The package is sort of like the Mach 1 package for the Sportsroof. No performance gains unless you checked other boxes on the order. Ford was know for doing a lot of packages that made you think the car was fast but just smoke and mirrors. Examples would be the California Special, Twister Special, High Country Special, Sprint, etc.

I do not think anyone is out there collecting these. If you like a coupe it does dress it up for sure.

Sort of like the SS package or Super Sport package on a Chevy. In the beginning you could get a SS with a 6 cylinder. It was a dress up package.

Tape is cheap.

Or like the Mustang II Cobra referred to by R&T in 1977 as a sheep in snake clothing.  We used to refer to them and the Firebird Trans Am or the Nova SS as "all show and no go".      That was an end to an era. The muscle car was officially dead.

 

[joe71]

Quite a bit of info has been posted on here.

Here is one thread:

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-1971-spring-sport

Saw where someone said 9003 produced. Not sure where that number came from. EDIT: Apparently this info is came from "Mustang Special Editions" book And I am not sure how to determine one of these models using documentation - short of the specific equipment listed as line items. I would like to see a Marti Report and/or window sticker for one.

I'd like to see a C, J or M code in that model! I like the weird/rare stuff like that. My bet is most of these cars ended up being parts cars for others!!!

Ray

View attachment 40712

Ray

Quite an old thread but here is mine and I have the Martini report along with the original build sheet. Martini indicates it is indeed a spring special which makes it unique. I kind of knew thus anyway since I also have the window sticker and original warranty card. I am the third owner.

 

[PoFoMoCo]

That’s a beauty Joe!

 

[york0060]

Looks great Joe! Ours had the Dog Dish hubcaps on it as well, but we put the Magnums on it after the restoration. I still have them thou.

 

[Boss1Ray]

Nice to see another in good shape - WAY too many were sacrificed to supply parts for Mach's and some verts, mainly hoods, grills and bumpers. Boss 351's could use all but the bumpers.

Ray

 

[Boss1Ray]

Quite an old thread but here is mine and I have the Martini report along with the original build sheet. Martini indicates it is indeed a spring special which makes it unique. I kind of knew thus anyway since I also have the window sticker and original warranty card. I am the third owner.

Joe,

a few more thoughts...

Glad you were able to access that older thread. Wish more would look for those. Quite a few excellent threads from guys who know their stuff about these cars! I only thought I knew about them until I joined this forum! I haven't been online much lately, and I have missed it.
Definitely want to encourage all to use the search function and review some older threads!

FYI
I heard the reports called "Martini" before but just FYI, it is a "Marti Report", named after the owner of these records; Keving Marti.

https://www.martiauto.com/martireports.cfm
I can't hear the word, "martini" without thinking of James Bond and Dean Martin. Yep I am old! LOL

I digressed.

Back to the Spring Specials thread!

respectfully,

Ray

 

[Robertclyons]

Always searching for the elusive Spring Special thoroughbred.

“First Car Syndrome”. I had a Grabber Green, F Code, Spring Special, Low optioned, but HIGH excitement for a 16 year old. Still driving 7173’s 48 years later.

I’m guessing it will be a tribute build in my future.