351ci Windsor V8/C4 3-Speed Trans/Deep Red Paint/Well Maintained

1973 Ford Mustang Convertible

1973 brought the last year of the "big" Mustang. It was to be replaced by a smaller, lighter breed, therefore, most of the changes for '73 were merely cosmetic. This year was to become the last Mustang convertible for many years.

For consignment the last year for the big Mustang. Ads of the year spoke of “What makes a Mustang different is the way it looks, handles, and makes you feel”. The long hood and short rear deck of the “pony car” has been pushed to the limit in the design of this car, the front simplified and lines cleaned up making it a larger car. The example has a revised engine, different from original paint, and now a white convertible top. The lines of the early 70's 'stangs were certainly their own, and this one is a nice example of said design.

Exterior
This car is bathed in deep red and it is in good condition. All trimmings are shiny and as they came from the factory, gaps are decent, and steel is straight and rust free. A white canvas top is in good condition and has a plastic rear window mainly clear. A black front spoiler below the grille is on, as is a black matte rear wing. A few original design cues remain like the central large chromed gas filler cap, the triple taillights on either side, now flattened and fit into the rear roll panel, and the galloping Mustang upfront is in a frame in the center of a black egg crate grille. Shiny polished 15-inch Torque Thrust wheels are all around and wrapped with raised white lettered tires.

Interior
White high back vinyl covered buckets sitting in a sea of black carpet and accompanied by a rear 2 plus 2 bench with the same white vinyl make up the interior seating. Molded white vinyl door panels with a wood appliqué are seen, and a black center console runs up the center between the buckets. Prior to it's rise to the dash, said console has the T style shift lever, and a trip of inset gauges just in front of the shifter. On the rise are the temp and airflow sliders, an aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio, and a hands-free phone microphone sticking out of an upper small storage area. Deep inset circular gauges find themselves mounted in the sharply angled forward dash. Black background and silver insets set off the black faced gauges. A padded dash top in black as well as another glovebox in front of the passenger finish off the dash. Slight wear through on the corners of various areas of the dash and console are noted.

Drivetrain
Under the long hood now resides a 351ci Windsor V8. It is topped by a 2-barrel carburetor and has a C4 3-speed automatic transmission on the back. A rear axle setup of a Ford 8-inch with 2.79 gears. All presenting nice in blue block and intake paint with chromed accents and bolt ons.

Undercarriage
Underneath there are areas of prior repairs due to invasive rust and a few other areas that need to be touched up. Power disc brakes on front and power drums on the rear, and glass pack style mufflers for just a bit of extra breathing room.

Drive-Ability
The test track was no match for this car from 1973 and its standards. Great acceleration, solid braking and handling, and all functions were working properly. The top down was a nice asset to have at my disposal. Happy motoring had by all.

The last year for the big Mustang, and a nice example to add as a stopping point on your walk through our hallowed halls here at Classic Auto Mall. Nice paint and chrome, and a white interior, along with the white convertible, drive in a parade and have the queen sit on your back tonneau cover and wave with her wrist.

VIN DECODE
3F03F169491
3-1973
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
03-Convertible
F-302 2bbl V8
169491-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76D-Mustang Convertible
COLOR 5M-Medium Copper Metallic
TRIM CF-Ginger Sebring Knit Corinthian Vinyl Buckets
DSO 16-Philadelphia
AXLE 3-8" 2.79 Conventional
TRANS W-C4 3 Speed Automatic