Vehicle Description
1973 Ford Mustang Grande
For the 1971-73 model years former GM executive Bunkie Knudson, now
the leader of Ford's product design, wanted to take the Mustang
into a bigger, heavier and more luxurious playing field. The idea
was to cash in on the burgeoning large luxury coupe market; and not
only did the Mustang grow, it also received styling cues which
exaggerated both its length and weight. Throughout the years, the
Mustang has truly been everything to everyone. It's spanned several
pricing levels, performance levels - it even shared DNA with the
Ford Pinto during the mid-to-late 70s. Through it all, the car
remained successful and nearly every early variation has found its
place in the collector market. Right now, it's all about the
pre-1971 cars, but the tide is rising for examples like this
awesome 1971 Mustang Convertible.
For consignment, buy early with the tide rising and your ship may
come in! A 1973 Mustang Grande with its exaggerated long hood and
small front grille opening, and even smaller rear deck with lots of
passenger room, these are the biggest, (most spacious), Mustangs to
hit the market in its history. Here we have a nice 1973 example in
Dark Green Metallic with nice chrome, purchased by our consignor
and restored over the course of 2.5 years to mimic his first car, a
1972 Mustang of the same ilk.
Exterior
Bathed in a color change to Dark Green Metallic, this Mustang is
looking good with deep end of the pool paint and signature '72
matte black striping down the sides. The chrome around the grille
and front bumper setup is shiny with nary a flaw or scratch to be
seen. The egg crate grille is black and has the galloping steed in
the center with another chrome trimming surround. A black Mach 1
chin spoiler is below the front bumper. Panel alignment remains
straight and true throughout the body with nice straight steel. A
long clean roof covers the passengers and a near vertical rear
window is housed between the flying buttressB-pillars and helps
maintain the overall Mustang feel from years past. Keeping this
theme is the short deck for a trunk lid and below are the iconic 3
lights that are now flush with the rear panel and conform to its
new shape. 14-inch polished Ansen aluminum slot wheels are on all 4
corners and are shod in raised white letter Cooper radials.
Interior
The original black steering wheel fronts the original dash which
has clear plastic coverings for the deeply inset circular gauges.
Knobs and center dash are all original equipment and the factory AM
radio is on board and neatly mounted in the center, sandwiched
between the heater slides below and burl applique above. Black high
back buckets in cloth vinyl are in front and show some wear
particularly to the driver's lower cushion but are overall in good
condition. The rear shows 2 plus 2 bench seating and a small
consolette also in black is just below the dash holding the
T-handled chrome shifter. Black carpeting floods the floors and is
clean and fluffy. Black door panels present in like new condition
and are sporting chrome for the cranks, actuators and mirror
joystick....tres chic!
Drivetrain
Nicely detailed with its royal blue blocked 351ci Cleveland V8,
blue valve coverings, and snazzy shiny Edelbrock intake manifold
and 4 bbl carburetor underneath the chrome Ford Racing air cleaner
assembly, things are looking good under the hood. This mill has
been bored .030 over and has been fitted with a Crane camshaft. A
completely rebuilt C6 3-speed automatic transmission with a shift
kit is on back with a rebuilt Ford 9-inch rear with 2.75 gears
turning the tires.
Undercarriage
Underneath is very well maintained with virtually no rust and all
structurally sound unibody construction, floor pans and rockers are
all nice as well with a mix of black undercoating and green
overspray on the replaced floor pans. We note independent coil
springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear rides. Power
disc brakes are up front, and power drums for the rear. Headers and
Thrush mufflers give this car a throaty sound.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and all 8 candles lit right up. Off to the test
track, and it performed nicely with good solid acceleration, nice
handling, and good braking on the panic stop and prior to the tight
corners. All was functioning as it should.
A nicely restored car thatyou don't have to be afraid of getting
abug splatter on or taking the family for ice cream in. A wonderful
deep paint job, a clean interior, the all important 351ci Cleveland
V8 all work together to make this one seriously enjoyable pony. The
engine and mechanicals are solid, and all is looking 1973, Mustang.
Cue the models!!
3F04H261759
3-1973
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
04-Mustang Grande
H-351ci Cleveland V8 2bbl Ram Air
261759-Sequential Unit Number
DOOR STICKER
BODY 65F-Grande Hardtop, Standard Buckets
COLOR 9A-Wimbledon White
TRIM FA-Black Cloth & Vinyl
TRANS U-C6 Automatic
AXLE 2-Ford 9" 2.75 Conventional
DSO 16-Philadelphia
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
