351ci Cleveland V8/Great Paint/Functional NACA Ram Air Hood/Lots Of New Parts

1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1

In October of 1947, test pilot Chuck Yeager accomplished something widely thought to be impossible due to an aircraft not being able to withstand the shock when it happens. He proved them wrong by breaking the sound barrier (Mach 1) on October 14, 1947. At the altitude he was, he had to be going over 662 MPH.

Fast forward to 1973 and we give you for a consignment and benefitting from a full-on restoration on a solid body, originally hailing from the great white north and now moved stateside, and a Cleveland engine, Mach 1. This pony was part of the 6 generations of Mustang display at the AACA museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2018 and was also photo'd for the innovations and advertising promotions brochure for the event and are included. A color change on the interior and exterior, rebuilt engine in 2001, a new clutch in 2017, some snappy decaling and we are soon to create our own sonic boom.

Exterior
Draped in its retina searing Competition Yellow respray with clear coat then add in some black graphics on the NACA ram air hood and some side striping and we are looking fast. Also, we can add some more silver in badges, some correct, some of which are stick ons, and wrap it all up with a set of twist lock hood pins to make Chuck Yeager proud. A few frowns are found in the form of some inclusions in the paint and sanding marks throughout but these are barely noticeable in natural sunlight. A rakish rear window, complete with louvers, melts its way downward to the deck gracefully and continues all the way back to the rear spoiler. Underneath the spoiler we see a honeycomb center panel which is flanked by the triple brake lights bordered by another stripe above and a clean bumper below. 15-inch polished Ansen slot wheels are on all four corners. The 1973 front grille is the most menacing of all the Mustangs and has been emulated even in newer versions of this moniker and looks just splendid with the urethane front bumper and chin spoiler below. Lastly, worth noting this year we lost the hockey stick cove on the side panels and doors but an eye-catching black stripe does a wonderful job of breaking up the long slab sides of this pony.

Interior
Turning our attention to the interior, high back ginger knitted vinyl buckets with darker ginger accenting stitched in are in front, and a 2+2 fold down seat in the rear. The original dash, in a new color ginger, with its deep round dual gauges is complete with the factory tachometer all within a black textured bezel. In the dash center, surrounded by wood applique, there is another trio of gauges, factory AM and 8-Track player, temp control levers, and a clock. In the center console we note a white ball topped Hurst competition shifter and a deep storage compartment that doubles as an arm rest for the front passengers. Carpeting is ginger and clean, and above we see a ginger headliner that is sagging. Rounding out our interior tour, we note molded ginger vinyl for the door panels with a pleasant applique insert along with a chrome and applique bezel for the power window controls, yes even the small rear windows drop down for airflow.

Drivetrain
Under the long twin scooped NACA hood we are met with a rebuilt in 2001, correct but non-original 351ci Cleveland V8 dressed in Ford blue resting in the wonderfully restored engine bay. This beautiful mill also has the correct Ram Air air cleaner assembly atop along with the matching ducting attached to the hood. Under all this menagerie is a 4bbl carburetor to provide the big Clevor with copious amounts of air and fuel. Strapped to the back is a 3-speed with overdrive manual RUG BP transmission, an imposter Toploader if you will, with a new in 2017 clutch. On the rear is a Ford 9-inch pumpkin with Equalok and 3.50 gears.

Undercarriage
All cleaned up and spit shined during the restoration, we now see splendid undercarriage with solid floor pans and rockers with no rust. Dual Super Turbo exhausts make their way rearward from the manifolds attached to the Cleveland. Front power disc brakes and rear power drums are on with new pads, shoes and lines. For the ride we see an independent coil spring arrangement and on the back are traditional leaf springs all with new shocks. During our tour we noted new motor mounts along with a new fuel sending unit.

Drive-Ability
This rocket fired right up, and we have liftoff! Plenty of power, and nice handling, and a comfortable interior to boot. It shifted smoothly, but occasionally would pop out of first gear. During our drive we also noted that the tachometer would sometimes stick, but a tap on the top of the dash rectified that. Also, the top center defroster duct does not have airflow as that is where a CB radio was once mounted, the reverse lights are nonfunctional due to no switch on the transmission, and the rear window louvers do not lock down.

Nicely restored and save for a few mechanical faults and very minor cosmetic issues we have a nice example of the snarly Mach 1! A rebuilt 351ci Cleveland V8, 3-speed with overdrive transmission, and power windows...all you need to do now is “pony” up the dough and you can drive it right out of here...BOOM!

VIN DECODE
3FQ5Q204794
3-1973
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
05-Mustang Sportsroof Mach 1
Q-351ci V8 4bbl
204794-Sequential Unit Number