Green Gold: 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Convertible – SOLD!

December 8, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

1973 proved to be the final year for the first-generation Mustang and the factory convertible body style before Ford reintroduced it one decade later. Traditionally less desirable than earlier models, the ’71 to ’73 vintage Mustangs are enjoying a growth in popularity and prices.  A prime example is this restored Green Gold metallic, H-Code powered, 1973 Mustang convertible, once listed in November 2022 on Craigslist in Atlanta, Georgia, is said to be one of only 302 examples produced in this color combination.  Among many other upgrades, the seller notes that the factory A/C features a conversion to R134A.

Once offered for $25,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is in line with the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for Ford Mustangs of all body and trim styles produced between 1971 and 1973.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Mustang featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $24,800 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $36,800, assuming this Mustang is indeed a true Mach I trim example.

While Ford produced the first generation Mustang from its debut in the spring of 1964 through 1973 before launching the Pinto-based Mustang in ’74, enthusiasts segment these cars into four classes based on major styling and feature changes.  The last major first-generation restyling launched in September 1970 as a 1971 model. The ’71 Mustangs were still offered in Hardtop, Sports Roof (Fastback), and convertible versions such as the example featured here and grew in size, gaining three inches in width to accommodate Ford’s big block 429 cu in (7.0 L) V8 to avoid the extensive suspension redesign previous years forced.  However, tightening federal emissions regulations and rising insurance costs started to take their toll on Muscle Car popularity. Consequently, Ford dropped the Boss 351 edition and optional 429 big blocks leaving the 351 cubic inch (5.8 L) variants as the largest available engines for 1973.  The example featured here is an H-Code Mustang, which means it came from the factory equipped with a two-barrel carburetor topped, 351 cubic inch, “Cleveland” V8 producing 177 brake horsepower at 4000 rpm and 284 foot-pounds of torque at 2000 rpm.

Convertibles came equipped with a power top and a single-piece glass rear window.  1973 brought some mild restyling. The urethane front bumper became standard and was enlarged per new NHTSA standards. All Mustang models had their sports lamps replaced with vertical turn signals, as the new bumper covered the previous turn signal locations in the front valance. Both Mach 1 and base grilles were offered, with differing insert patterns.  The 1973 model year Mustang was the final version of the original pony car, as the model name migrated to the Ford Pinto-based Mustang II in 1974.

The Classic Car Channel YouTube Channel offers this montage of 1971 Ford Mustang commercials featuring actor Sid Ceasar:

The avocado-green color combination may have been popular for kitchens and this 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 convertible in the early 1970s, but it may not be for everyone today.  Otherwise, this Mustang appears to be a nicely optioned survivor example featuring many upgrades to keep it roadworthy for the next caretaker.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1973 Ford Mustang convertible?  Please comment below and let us know!