Not new to Mustangs but I've never owned a Mach 1. A relative offered theirs to me to buy.

It is a unrestored 351C, auto, 2-V originally now a 4-V. Looks like an early model 71. VIN is 1F05H180xxx

Engine runs good but trans is shot. Some rust & bondo.

What is a specimen like this worth? $4000? What would you pay? More importantly, how do I get the OK from the wife who says "No more cars!"?





http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p119/...h1side.jpg

Thanks!

Welcome! Roll Tide? I bought one in similar looking shape, 71 Mach 1 in 2002 for $4200. It ran, though not very well, C-6 automatic. I'd recommend looking under the carpet at floor pans and the trunk floor. They like to start looking like swiss cheese. Also check the cowl panel vents, but you probably already know that about Mustangs.

War Eagle!

Yeah, I know swiss cheese all too well from rebuilding the 65. I've always loved the look of the Mach 1s. I was born in 71 so this has that appeal as well. I got rid of a swiss cheesed 71 Gran Torino a few years back and have missed it ever since. Maybe this 71 will be a good replacement.

Welcome to the club, Don! You are definitely in the right place for Mustang info, and your first question is a doozy!

You can always go with the "it's time for me to relive a little of my youth" track, or the "it will be a GREAT investment, honey (although, as an experienced 'stang owner, you know that's usually not really true, now is it?) . Sometimes, it's something for the husband to "keep him busy" while the wife is quilting, or even "at least it keeps him out of the bars at night".

Or you can try them all. I got my 'vert for $5000 cash, and I haven't regretted it a bit. The friendship that I've found on this website has been good for both my Mustang, and my sanity.

And that's my very long-winded way of saying, "I hope you get the Mach, and hope to see you around here for a while." Glad you're here.

Doc

I hope I get the Mach too! Just in the last hour or so on this forum I really like what I see here. I don't say that lightly...I'm on several forums! VMF, TDIclub, M1911, dieselstop, and many others. Seems like a really good place to spend my internet time.

Nice car just do it.

Thanks for the kind words, Don. Many people share your fondness for this site, and if I were to try to distill it down to one word, it would be "respect". That's very simplistic, but I think that, no matter where our members are located, when they come here, they at least get respect for being a fan of 71 to 73 Mustangs.

Dang, sorry for the soapbox tonight. I've alway known that I'm a bit long-winded, but I guess I'm on a roll tonight. Anyway, see you around the forum, and again, welcome! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you're able to get the Mach.

Doc

I'll post if it occurs or not. So $4k sounds reasonable? I don't know the options it came with...I'll find out those tomorrow.

(02-09-2011 12:23 AM)73vertproject Wrote:  Thanks for the kind words, Don. Many people share your fondness for this site, and if I were to try to distill it down to one word, it would be "respect". That's very simplistic, but I think that, no matter where our members are located, when they come here, they at least get respect for being a fan of 71 to 73 Mustangs.

Dang, sorry for the soapbox tonight. I've alway known that I'm a bit long-winded, but I guess I'm on a roll tonight. Anyway, see you around the forum, and again, welcome! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you're able to get the Mach.

Doc

Well said Doc, and as a relatively new member here, I've felt welcome from day one. If anything, I spend too much time here.

---

Don65, is the transmission automatic? rebuildable core at least? I spent 1k on having the floors and trunk done, and I have more to go that I'm planning to do myself one day. If you have less body work, then probably a wash on replacing trans/motor work. Depends on what you want to do.

X2. Spend 15 minutes and peek under the carpet and look at the cowl and under the battery tray. Take your digital camera with you and post what you see here, and let us help you understand what you've got.

Or, do like many of us did and just say, "Hurray, I'm now a Mach 1 maniac, and even if all the rusted parts and chassis fit into a mason jar, with enough welding and solder I'll bring her back to life!" LOL! Just look around this site and you'll see that it's not that far-fetched.

Bottom line - it looks like a fun project from here, but without seeing the floor pans and cowl, and not knowing your interests yet, it's still up to you. Snap a few pics and we'll talk.

Doc