This wonderful 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible has logged just over 600 miles since a complete nut and bolt rotisserie restoration, using hundreds of New Old Stock parts. Heavily loaded with options, including Ram-Air hood, A/C, power windows, all decor, power and convenience packages, rim-blow wheel and rare tilt column. The car's history is interesting as well, being in the care of one family from new! Its last title transfer dates to 1981 when the last owner bought the car from his brother-in-law. At that time the car had 42K original miles, and over the next 8 years the car was driven sparingly, adding just 7K miles. During the 1980's literally hundreds of NOS parts were methodically purchased direct from the Ford dealer, in preparation for the day when the car would need a restoration. This proved to be a wise investment, as many of these parts became unavailable soon after. The car sat idle from 1989 onward, and the collection of NOS parts kept growing. In the year 2000 it was decided to begin a full restoration of the car to show quality standards, it was completed in 2005, and the result is the incredible example available here.
Finished in its original color of Ivy Glow Metallic, the coachwork is to show standards, cut and polished to a glass smooth finish. It shows perfect prep and application with no runs, fisheye, or orange peel. Body panels are laser straight, gaps are to factory specification, and sightlines are flat with no waviness or rippling.
Displaying perfect fit and finish everywhere you look. Magnum 500 wheels are perfect with no flaws. Tires are quality Michelin Pilots with 600 miles from new. This Mustang comes with its original build sheet, owner's manual and a Deluxe Marti Report.
The car was taken completely down to a bare shell, dipped to bare metal and then built back up piece by piece. The top is all new, the frame underneath was also redone to new condition. It raises and lowers with instant response from the switch and latches down easily with perfect fit. The rear window is glass with no scratches or defects. No details were overlooked on this car, even the trunk is perfect. An aftermarket space saver spare and jacking equipment is included.
Resplendent in groovy Avocado, the interior has been expertly restored using all NOS materials. This car is one of just 340 examples ordered with this paint / trim combination. The car has all new weather stripping, every piece. Power windows all work swift and smooth. Working off the door light switch, these cars used solenoids that would release the seat back locks for back seat passenger entry. These solenoids have been replaced with NOS units and an on-off override switch has been added to insure that the solenoids don't overheat if a door is ever left open for an extended time, a common source of failure. The car also has an all new wiring harness - every gauge, light, indicator and control in this car works correctly. The car shows quality work in places you normally don't think to look - behind the dash, the door jambs, they all show the same level of attention as the rest of the car.
This Mustang is loaded with options, including the rare tilt column. The rim blow wheel is NOS and perfect. Gauges all show good readings, the car has an I-Pod ready Alpine CD with electric antenna, the clock is, again, NOS, and works perfectly. The ashtray now holds an aftermarket cruise control setup, next to it is the 'on the fly' timing control for the MSD electronic ignition.
The 351 motor has been completely rebuilt by Cleveland experts ARI, and is mated to a C6 transmission and 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end. The motor has a Holley 4bbl, Crane roller cam, worked 2bbl heads with hardened seats, specially adapted 4bbl factory headers with Jet-Hot coating, and NOS Boss 351 valve covers. The car runs very strongly, offering serious power throughout its entire rpm range. The car cruises along effortlessly, its all new suspension components and Mach I sway bar make for super tight, responsive handling. An all new exhaust provides a nice sounding rumble, not too much, just the right amount. NOS air cleaner assembly, all new R-134 AC components, new wiring throughout, factory supplied "Car-Lite" windshield in as-new condition. NOS grill, twist-lock hood releases, and a complete NOS Ram-Air hood and plumbing, back from when these types of items were available from the dealer.
The undercarriage shows the degree to which this car has been restored, it received the same attention as the top side. This car is sorted, dialed in, ready to drive and enjoy.
