Choosing a Convertible for my Mom

[USAFPILOT]

I have found these two cars.  I am wanting to know if the car without stripes would have actually come with a 4V 351C...or if it is likely a 2V engine just had a sticker swap.  The 4V car does have the tach dash.

Looking at both cars from the online adds, which would you go with.  Budget is 30K.  

One appears to be basically done and the cheaper one may need some things like a new top, rear leaf springs and some general maintenance.  I think I also see some rust in places.  It leaves 10K to play with.

Car number 1 28K

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1256917/1971-ford-mustang-for-sale-in-volo-illinois-60073



Car number 2 18K

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/ford/mustang/2305427.html

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

IMO, the 71' M code is the more interesting ride. The description appears straightforward. M-code with air would be fun ride. The extra 10K can take care of quite a few items.

 

[USAFPILOT]

do you see anything bad from the couple of photos? i see a bit of rust bubbling on the bottom of the rear fenders. H bad would you think it could be on this car?

 

[mpbsr]

IMO the 28k is way overpriced.

Save the 10k on the price as you can customized it more to your liking.

 

[c9zx]

Car number 2 without doubt. Offer less than the asking. Chuck

 

[MustangNJ]

wow. $30k for a 71-73 351 is a ton of money. its a price we would all love to see for these cars, but is not a price I believe to reflect the general market.

 

[Hemikiller]

28k - LOL. Nutso money for a plain 2V convertible with some really bad paintwork.

18K - too late - listing is gone.

 

[USAFPILOT]

28k - LOL.  Nutso money for a plain 2V convertible with some really bad paintwork.

18K - too late - listing is gone.

What would be a good price for the car listed for 28k?

 

[USAFPILOT]

Still considering car number 1. Mom can be down 40HP for her intended purposes with the car. Question, what's the main difference between the C6 transmission and the FMX transmission?

 

[MustangNJ]

my mom wanted a convertible a few years ago, I got her an A4 vert....

 

[Hemikiller]

Still considering car number 1.  Mom can be down 40HP for her intended purposes with the car.  Question, what's the main difference between the C6 transmission and the FMX transmission?

As far as she'd be concerned - nothing. Both are three speed autos and one works as well as the other. 

Car #1 is way, way, way overpriced.

If I was going to budget $30k on a convertible, I'd probably lean towards this car for it's future collectability after some of the problems are handled.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/ford/mustang/2310662.html

 

[USAFPILOT]

https://www.justmusclecars.com/1971-vehicle-ford-mustang-convertible-c-64.htm

I found another, and I would like opinions on it. Based on the vin if I am deciding it correctly, I think it’s supposed to be an H code 351C 2V engine. It’s only advertised as a 351C , but the engine picks show 351C 4V on the air cleaner. How can I tell for sure what engine it has in it? Is this just up badging?

 

[USAFPILOT]

Here is the door tag...It is def a 2V car...can anyone here help me make sense of the rest. I think maybe it should be Green, but IM not sure.

 

[Hemikiller]

https://www.justmusclecars.com/1971-vehicle-ford-mustang-convertible-c-64.htm

I found another, and I would like opinions on it.  Based on the vin if I am deciding it correctly, I think it’s supposed to be an H code 351C 2V engine.  It’s only advertised as a 351C , but the engine picks show 351C 4V on the air cleaner.  How can I tell for sure what engine it has in it?  Is this just up badging?

That car looks really nice underneath. I see some leaks and such, but that's nothing that some basic mechanical work can't take care of. The critical thing with any 71-73 Mustang convertible is rust, especially in the floors and inner rockers. 

It has an aftermarket aluminum intake, carb and air cleaner with a repop "351-4V" sticker. 

2V had smaller port and valved heads than the 4V engine. 4 bolts ere typically Boss and Q-code engines only, but I had an H-code car with a correct VIN stamped 4 bolt block.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_335_engine

Attached PDF will help with the buck tag codes

Ford Buck Tag Codes-V1.pdf

 

[Don C]

And here are enough codes to keep you entertained for a while

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-ford-code-numbers?pid=347340#pid347340

 

[USAFPILOT]

can't figure out FM and PW (unless that's a PV power ventilation) PV is power windows I guess.  The car has power steering but no mention of it on the buck tag.  Also can't figure out the transmission and rear end.

 I see now that it was a Medium Green Metallic, with all black vinyl interior.

 

[Don C]

FM is for FM stereo radio, PW is for power windows. Two more missing codes I'll add and update the posting. I used power windows in the example, but didn't manage to get it in the list

My car has power steering, too, but isn't on my buck tag either.

 

[MustangNJ]

this is typical of what I see around here all the time: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/braintree-1973-mustang-convertable/6984915963.html

decent looking, around 12k. I don't think its a Mach 1, but I didn't check very hard

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I would like to get a convertible for my Mom, but her trade in value just isn't very high.