1973 Mach 1 FB Marketplace barn find

[bucketlist fastback]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1134933941102830 Monday morning I spotted this one. Just knew it wouldn’t last long. Woman was very nice. Husband fell to dementia. Unfortunate circumstance but car looked a good value.. she said she also had a 68’ Falcon.

 

[Hemikiller]

I saw that when it was first posted a couple weeks back. There was a bunch of discussion on a FB group - mostly centering around whether or not it was a Mach1 because it only had a 302 and sported the flat hood.

 

[bucketlist fastback]

I saw that when it was first posted a couple weeks back. There was a bunch of discussion on a FB group - mostly centering around whether or not it was a Mach1 because it only had a 302 and sported the flat hood.

I was trying to leave work early on Tuesday or Wednesday to drive up there and look at it. She had other cars that were already sold and 1968 Falcon still under car covers. She sent me some supporting documents. Can you tell by VIN? She did not have a Marti report but I saw one thing that appealed to me.. “Competition suspension”. Anyway I was very interested in seeing it and if it had staggered shocks and rear stabilizer bar.. possibly variable ratio steering gear.... I know from the pictures that the steering wheel was changed. She knew things but not a lot. I was hoping that the “rimblow” wheel was not gone. I am disappointed that I didn’t get there in time. Take a look at the VIN and see what you think?

 

[Sheriff41]

The 05 in the VIN is Mach 1.

 

[Steve McMahan]

That middle pic, crumbled paper, look like is says Mach 1 Sports Interior Option.

 

[giantpune]

I thought the flat hood and 302 were the bare minimum that came with the mach1 package in 73. You could get the nasa hood if you wanted, but it wasn't the default.

Otherwise, somebody would have put some money into adding the mach1 grille and black headlight buckets and the stripes to a base model, but never did the hood.

IMO, it doesn't make much difference between a mach1 and a fastback. They're the same car. And I'm pretty sure the base fastback is more rare.

 

[bucketlist fastback]

I sure wish I had found this car when she first posted it. It would have been a great stablemate for my Sportsroof. I got a headache trying to figure out where I was going to store it.

 

[Hemikiller]

Sorry if I wasn't clear, it is a Mach 1.

3 - 1973
F - Dearborn assembly
05 - Mach 1 sportsroof
F - 302-2V engine
132712 - 32,712th Mustang serialized at Dearborn.

Not a lot of people realize that the 71-73 Mach 1 came with the 302 as the base engine and a flat hood unless otherwise optioned. The NASA hood was a no-cost option for the 302 Mach. If you ordered a 351-2V or any of the other upgraded engines, it was automatically included.

A Mach 1 featured Competition Suspension as part of it's standard equipment. For the 302-2V and 351-2V engines, that included uprated springs and shocks, plus the variable ratio steering box if PS equipped. The rear sway bar and staggered shocks were only intended to be installed on cars with 4V engines. There is at least one member here with a 351-2V car that has factory staggered shocks.

 

[MOTORCITYBADBOY]

I believe in 71 the 351-2V was the base engine with the Mach1 package. I've seen several 72-73 F-code Mach1s, but never a 71.

 

[Bill Perkins]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1134933941102830 Monday morning I spotted this one. Just knew it wouldn’t last long. Woman was very nice. Husband fell to dementia. Unfortunate circumstance but car looked a good value.. she said she also had a 68’ Falcon.View attachment 91751

Sharp Ride

 

[71coop]

I believe in 71 the 351-2V was the base engine with the Mach1 package. I've seen several 72-73 F-code Mach1s, but never a 71.

Hemikiller is correct (as usual). I have a 71 F-code that originally came with a 302/C4 drivetrain. The 3F05F vin code is exactly as he describes, and was a 1971 option. My original engine was long gone when I found the car, and now replaced with a 351C, but my research on the car upholds the 302 as the base engine for the 1971 Mach 1.

 

[Hemikiller]

I believe in 71 the 351-2V was the base engine with the Mach1 package. I've seen several 72-73 F-code Mach1s, but never a 71.

The 302-2V was the base engine for 71-73 Mach 1s.

 

[tpj71mach]

I can't help wondering back in 1971-73, what dealership ordering manager or customer for that matter said:

"I can have the way cooler hood for no added cost as a free option with the base engine? No thanks."

At no extra cost, it is hard to believe that there was even one car that was ordered without the NASA hood, but clearly it happened. I am sure there are people who preferred the flat hoods, I get it, both absolutely have their appeal and their fans. I just think that back in the day if you are choosing the 302, it is for probably for economy sake, either in the purchase price, or fuel expense, or both. If you're working within a tighter budget, and if it is free, why not get the optional hood that all of the Mach 1's with larger engines came with?

 

[Hemikiller]

Guilty as charged...