Vehicle Description
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1
1971 was the tail end of a radical period of performance Mustangs.
In '69 and '70, you could opt for a GT, Boss 302, Boss 429, Shelby
GT350, Shelby GT500, and the Mach I. In '71, choices dwindled to
the Boss 351 and the Mach 1. If we all had a crystal ball back
then, we would have picked up as many performance Mustangs as
possible and tucked them away in secure storage only to pull them
out and sell at the right time, whenever that may be. These cars
were priced between $2,700 and about $5,300 which seems like
chicken feed today, but $5,300 is equal to $44,800 in today's
money, so amassing a collection in 1970 would not have been that
easy.
For consignment, a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1, showing 72,679 miles
which are non actual. As the brochure prompted, "Put yourself into
a '71 Mustang. Then put your mark on it with this challenging
selection of better idea options.". And indeed, three different
rooflines, three different engines, and six different models gave
shoppers different levels of performance and luxury to choose from.
36,496 people walked away with Mach 1's in 1971, but none came in
this interesting color!
Exterior
Burnt Orange is a color we've grown accustomed to in 2024 and looks
good on the big body of the Mach 1, finished in two stage
base/clear for lasting gloss. And there's lots of sinister black
here to contrast the orange, and it works well. The bumpers, chin
spoiler, hexagon grille, body stripe, and spoiler are all black and
are complemented by smoked, modernized headlights, window trim, and
the classic rear fascia which picks up on the hexagons and lens
trim. Chrome lovers need not fret however, as the 15-inch US Mag
wheels offer some metallic shine to the profile. And what a
profile! It's the distinctive Sportsroof offered in '71 on both the
Mach and the Boss, but you could also get a base Mustang with that
large, sloping rear. But what it didn't have were the aggressive
intake scoops in the hood, now iconic triangular ducts that also
graced the Boss 351. The paint and panel gaps are nice here with
imperfections noted only as a deep scratch on the rear valance,
some bubbling down low, and some rust on the very bottom corner of
a door.
Interior
The guards in the 1971 film "Escape from Planet of the Apes" wore
black vests with geometric patterns that were trending at the time
and seen on the door panels of this car, in black vinyl, with
squares and circles embossed in the material. Tight black vinyl
with design lines covers the newly upholstered tall back bucket
seats in front and look great and material and conditions are
copied in the 2+2 seating in back where the rising roof provides
good headroom. A GT steering wheel fronts a black painted cluster
surround, and three round gauges are in plain view of the driver. A
row of three gauges heads the center stack under a cubby and above
an AM radio and that leads to the vent controls and an analog
clock. The dash pad is a black affair covered in textured vinyl and
roughly cut in some areas, while the center console is a tidy
arrangement of the standard Ford shifter in front of a formed
plastic storage bin. Black loop carpet is in good condition as is
the stitched headliner above our heads. The large trunk wears a new
liner.
Drivetrain
Under the massive hood we find a clean 351ci Cleveland V8 with a
4-barrel carburetor, headers, and a C4 3-speed automatic
transmission. Power is sent to the Ford 8" in back and the momentum
is halted by power disc brakes up front and power drums in the rear
which are part of an upgrade made by a previous owner, along with
suspension components.
Undercarriage
On the hunt for new components, we do find the leaf springs to be
fresh, along with sway bars and other obviously new pieces. Along
with the leaf springs in back, the car has coil springs in the
front. Dual exhaust comes off the header and through glasspack
style mufflers finally exiting through straight pipes escorted
through the rear of the car via cutouts in the valance. There's
some typical patina otherwise and a few drops of oil on the pan,
but nothing waving red flags underneath.
Drive-Ability
There's a charm in the simplicity of it all. A few gauges, a basic
shifter, and an orderly interior, not much to distract from the
task at hand, driving. And with a turn of the key, you become alert
and aware, there's no cruise control, lane assist, or ABS. You're
all in. Our ride was gratifying in that the 351 puts out plenty of
power and has a nice growl to go along with it. The car handles
well on the newer suspension and brakes are on point. We note the
dash lights don't illuminate and the tach is not working. All other
items operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents
that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
Here's a real deal Mach 1 in a unique color with some tasteful trim
work, a distinctive shape, and some of the meanest hood scoops in
the business! It's well sorted and ready for both show and go. The
further we get from 1971, the more collectible these seem to be,
and the Sportsroof that once seemed unusual and out of place, now
makes them unique and special. This big bodied 'Stang is ready for
a new stable. Grab the reins, cowpoke, and lead this wild one
home.
1T05F154863
1-1971
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
05-Mustang Mach 1
F-302ci 2bbl V8
154863-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
