My 1971 Mach 1Recently Acquired

griffbl · Jul 9, 2017

Gents-

Bought a nice 1971 Mach 1 I am going to keep. http://gatewayclassiccars.com/houston/1971/ford/mustang-S815.html VERY similar to my first car in High School, purchased in 1975 when I was 15, which was a Red 1972 Mach 1 H Code with white interior. My High school car did not have disc brakes, or a/c, but otherwise very similar. Both have P/S, thankfully also. Paid top dollar, but it is very original, (which I prefer), and the previous owner has been very helpful with telling me his experience, etc. to give me a head start. I always do that when I sell a car, and boy does it help! My preferences are my opinions only, and not right or wrong, just my own preferences and opinions. Starting with the fact that I love the lack of hockey puck stripes, spoilers, the color(s), disc brakes, power steering, etc. and complete lack of rust which was a requirement of mine.

I have already fixed the exhaust tips to correct style, and am about to attack my existing front and rear springs, replace the antenna with the correct one (already have it), replace the spark plug wires with the correct style, order a Tach conversion for my clock from Rocket man http://www.rccinnovations.com/index.php?show=menu-mustang-all , and replace my front hood springs which are a bit weak. Car is rust free, and while I grew-up in Portales, NM, THIS car was sold right down the street from me where I live today in Dallas, TX! Saw that when I pulled the Marti.

So I could not be more pleased. I have owned and sold a 1971 M code and a 1971 429 Mach 1. Both were red, which I sold at Barret Jackson back in 2013. I am not into trying to make this thing go faster, really, as I have a 2015 anniversary Mustang GT which is plenty fast, and I just want this one to be reliable, and as original as possible with a few exceptions: 1) the aforementioned tach, 2) probably a Sanden type a/c compressor. I usually avoid a/c cars as it adds to complexity, but this car's is already converted and working o/k....the sanden will draw less power, and dropa little weight. 3) springs, shocks etc. 4) maybe an aluminum air gap manifold and 600cfm carb for weight savings and because I always wanted to do that in 1975-1979 when I owned the car, but never did! 5) maybe a 3.25 axle ration from the current 3.0. 6) battery bracket for inner fender (just purchased) 7) seat hinge covers (just purchased) if they are correct for this car 8) and I need to find a good, WORKING, original AM/FM radio. That's about it for now!

As you can see, I do like to lighten a car when I can (i.e. the compressor, and maybe the intake) which is not necessarily rational, and I readily admit that! I might use some aluminum repro magnum 500's, but probably not. I strangely wish for a set of aluminum wheels my dog dish hub caps and trim rings would go on! go figure.

Thank you in advance for your help, and for help in the past. I had an inspection done by a friend I met on this site on a car I chose not to buy. Mistake avoided! I have bought and sold parts here, and want to say thank you for that also.

Best,

Bradford in Dallas aka Griffbl on this site!