This 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Slept in a Garage for 45 Years, Probably Loves the Outdoors

Ford green-lit the 1971MY Mustang in September of 1970. The car looked almost nothing like its predecessors, the mid-to-late 60s Mustangs.

First of all, it was bigger – partly because it had to make room for the carmaker’s big block 429 ci V8 without Ford needing to redesign the suspension. Second, the overall styling, while reminiscent of the outgoing model, became almost excessively angular by 1970s standards.

Mach 1 and Boss 351 specs were still pretty cool, but the fun didn’t last long as Ford had to drop the Boss 351 edition and the optional 429 ci V8 unit because of emissions regulations. This happened straight away. It’s almost as if these cars never got a chance to truly spread their wings.

By 1972, the largest available engine was the 351 ci V8, with its 5.8-liter displacement, and by 1973, the most powerful Mustang you could purchase had just 266 horsepower, with most other V8 specs producing either 177 hp or 140 hp.

The iconic Mach 1 didn’t get off scot-free, and what we have here is a perfect example of one such car, powered by the previously mentioned 351 ci Cleveland V8 (H-code version).

This vehicle was reportedly acquired by its current owner in 1978 and since then, it has never spent a night outdoors. The Blue Glow factory-finish is still there, going strong, although it was refinished in the late 1980s. Other visual highlights include the silver stripes, non-functional hood vents, dual sport mirrors, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, plus a set of 14-inch five-hole alloy wheels with Firestone Wide Oval tires.

The car also comes with power steering, KYB shocks, power-assisted front discs (rear drums), to go with new calipers and rear brake lines.

Inside, you’ll find blue vinyl front bucket seats and a rear bench, but also faux woodgrain trim, an AM/FM cassette stereo, a center console, heater, auxiliary gauges for oil pressure, alternator status and coolant temperature, and finally, a Rim Blow steering wheel.

Going back to that H-code 351 ci V8 unit, it was factory rated at 177 horsepower, with everything going to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. According to the ad, recent maintenance work includes a rebuilt carburetor, new distributor, new spark plug wires, an oil change and new fluids for the transmission and differential.

Why even bother?

That’s a fair question. I mean, this is a nice car, don’t get me wrong, but if you want a truly great Mach 1 Mustang, you just have to go for a 1969MY car.

You probably saw two perfect examples on our website just recently in this Burgundy one (with 290 horsepower), and this truly insane Black one with a supercharged V8, producing 1,000 horsepower. Still, if you end up with the winning bid on this 1973 Mach 1 (better hurry), there’s nothing stopping you from sending it to restomod school.