We’ve had quite the warm spell here recently, and that means more vintage cars are appearing around town. This 1971 or ’72 Mustang is rare in that it appears to be a base model. No Magnum 500s, scoops, spoilers or stripes on this one.
CC Outtake: Convertible Weather In March?
– Posted on March 27, 2012
Look Mama, a Clydesdale! I’m not seeing dual pipes either, could this porker be powered by a tough as anvils Ford I-6?
If it were a 250 it would be 1 of 679 1971 drop tops.
Clydesdale, Sure compared to a 65 but against that Accord and Prius on either side of it………it sure doesn’t look that large.
Lot’s of 302 and 351 powered cars sported single pipes from the factory so it could be powered by one of those.
It’s a very good point. A kid in the neighborhood just started driving one around, and it doesn’t look nearly as big as it did back in the day. Everything has gotten huge!
Very few have respect for the Clydesdale years. Even among Mustang “purists”. It works for me as I still haven’t found my Mach1 and prices aren’t artificially inflated.
The new ones are huge. My 2012 Mustang is as big as my 88 Thunderbird.
I would be cruising the hell out of that thing right now. 80 degrees here in Bama for the last two weeks.
First thing to go would be those wheel covers. Dog dishes and trim rings or the “sports” wheel covers look the best on these. Then I’d trade it for a Sportsroof..
I recognise those trims, they had another lite out here on the 76-78 XC model Fairmont
I thought the XC used a wheel more like the slotted wheels from around 68.
I was thinking of these.
(ETA.. Pic is from Mustang Monthly)
These are the ones I thought the Fairmont used.
(Pic from somewhere in the Google matrix)
12 slotters were on earlier GTs the XC Fairmont had hubcaps same as that Mustang with painted segments around the outer edge
Yes; these are the right ones for this vintage.
I just love it when people restore/keep original cars like this. I’m sure this was a more-or-less everyday sight in 1971/2, but given the ’71/2 Mustangs that have been restored since then you’d think they were all Mach 1s.
Perfect weather for ragtops now fine and sunny 22degreeC beautifull Autumn weather
Ha! I’ve been driving our MX5, top down off-and-on since February.
Last week, I was too lazy to put the top up in the morning, so, fedora on, windows up, rear air screen up, heat on – a real sweet ride at 6:30 am.
Had the top down yesterday, too, but not in the morning.
Makes the 100-mile commute not so bad sometimes.
100 miles round trip? Either way, it sounds like “decompression” therapy if you have a good set of wheels..
Yes. Since last August. It stinks, but a nice ride helps, whether in my Impala or MX5.
Too old for this silliness…
Mustangs of this era always bring back memories of the closing credits of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
And Paul is right about the size of today’s cars, including the Mustang. I’ve toyed with the idea of buying a new Mustang convertible, having owned three (non-‘verts). Funny thing is, the size and cocoon-like interior of the 2012 reminds me more of the Thunderbird my Dad drove when I was in junior high…
Yes that’s truly what has happened. Whenever anyone says; “Why can’t Ford build a Thunderbird and Chevy a new RWD Monte Carlo?” I end up thinking… “They do, order a Mustang with the nicest interior or a Camaro with leather.”
Or a pimped out Charger or 300 for Mopar Muscle!
I had the roof down on my “new” 1985 Lebaron last week when it was around 70 degrees. A fun ride topless. The 2.2 non-turbo is a bit sluggish, however. I had the car effortlessly up to 57 MPH on the expressway and seems it might top out at 65 or 70. I may never know. Don’t really intend on driving much highway speed in it. Everyone passed me up like I was parked. The car seems to hold the road very well, but It seems that I feel every bump in the road. Also, a great deal of road noise invades the cabin.
With 31K on the clock, this car looks like new. A true little old lady car, I’m sure it drives much the same as new. A real culture shock from a Cadillac. After telling my neighbor about the ride, etc. (he loves the car), he said I’ve been spoiled by Cadillacs. He’s probably right.
Once you go (classic) Cadillac, you never go back. Mostly about the ride. Even newer Caddys don’t compare. The best ride+handling compromise was achieved by Citroen. All others chose handling with stiff suspension and compromised ride.
I saw a ’71 Boss 351 hardtop ‘Stang last week when I stopped at a used car lot to look at a 944. It didn’t look that large next to the other cars on the lot. How big is the new ‘Stang compared to the ’71-73 models?
Well 1967 Ford Mustang (hmmmm wonder why I chose that year of gen 1?): curb weight 3400lbs
1971 Mustang curb weight: 3560
I guess not as huge as the enthusiasts make it out to be.
(Sources, google.)
Length
2010 Accord 194″
1971 Mustang 190″
Height
2010 Accord 58″
1971 Mustang 50″
Just saying…..
Sure the Accord has a little more efficient interior packaging particularly the 4dr vs the 2dr Mustang.
I’d like to snag a ’71-’73 fastback and make a Bullitt tribute car out of it.
Wow, I never thought I’d say this about one of these 1971-73 Mustangs, but that is really quite a handsome car. In a way, it reminds me of the big Frua-styled AC 428.