Q-Code Cobra Jet: 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible
Big changes were in store for the Ford Mustang in 1974, as the pony car got a major redesign going into its second generation of production. The all-new Mustang II was smaller and more fuel efficient, and the timing couldn’t have been much better, as the marketplace was shifting towards many buyers getting away from performance-oriented autos and seeking something more economical. Thankfully, the original owner of this 1973 Mustang convertible had a much different mindset, as he drove off the lot with the hottest V8 under the hood you could get at the time.
T.J., we appreciate your great tip here! By 1973, the Q-Code Mustang no longer meant you got a 335 HP 428 Cobra Jet, as was the case just a couple of years earlier. However, a whole lot had changed in the industry during that short period, and little of it was good news in terms of performance. The CJ offering was now a 351 Cleveland, but it did include a 4-barrel and had a factory net horsepower rating of 266, giving drivers plenty to smile about considering how quickly the fun factor was in the process of disappearing from most offerings. This was the best you could get here for ‘73, with the seller telling us this one’s 100% numbers-matching in the drivetrain department.
Not only is this Ford a decent performer, but it also scores highly in terms of outside appearance. The owner confirms that his Mustang is still the same color as when it left Dearborn, and while there’s no word on whether any of the paint is still original, the body seems to be in excellent condition and the Bright Red finish is shining brightly, except for the flat black area on the hood. Even the white canvas top appears to remain in good shape, and I’m not spotting much at all on the exterior that needs any immediate attention.
The same holds true for the interior, at least for the parts we can see. The seller provides only two photos from the inside, but if the rest looks similar to the front buckets and gauges, this one’s way more than satisfactory for a driver. Keeping in mind that 1973 isn’t 1971 regarding CJ performance standards, this is a hot Mustang for the time, and it seems like a good deal at $26,950. If you’re ready to be owner #3, this beautiful droptop is located in St. Louis County, Missouri, and can be found here on Craigslist. Is this 1973 Ford Mustang convertible as fairly priced as I think?
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Comments
Looks like it’s potentially a great deal, if legitimate. It’s sad when the default on every ad that seems like a deal is that it might be a scam.
Steve R
Crazy. Those pictures are taken at a golf course 5 minutes from my house. I play there twice a week
Seems like a fair deal, sits very high to me.
Wondering. What’s the mini cooler hung on the A/C compressor for?
Power steering cooler.
Steve R
Sweetie here, love the tall stance, helps when i curb those tight right hand turns 🥴😲
3.25 gear ⚙️ came from the Ford Factory 🏭 with the Cruise-O-Matic C6 autoloader, perfect match for this beautiful Mustang.
That’s a power steering cooler attached to the A/C compressor.
I well sorted car like this, with an unusual engine, is now capable of selling for a figure that once seemed unreasonable. Especially in the light of what pedestrian new cars are going for! This one is well presented and looks to be an excellent value for someone that doesn’t want a project.
IMO, the ’71-’73 Mustangs make one of the very best looking convertibles ever made. Has just the right lines.
if it worth 50k and is rare as the owner said it is why is he trying to sell for 1/2 of that? clean the tires
I had a 73 in copper over black with a 302. Was the 2nd owner. Back then that engine put out 166 hp which was adequate. I can only imagine with this one. Sweet ride!
Sounds too good to be true!!!
Nice to see some love for this car. I’ve always admired these, but; what do I know? They came out when I was ten and new is always better, right?
Define “better”.
The clue was being ten years old. Children are impressionable. I still love these Mustangs.
That almost looks like the Mustang convertible that I owned from 1998 to 2000, except mine had a black interior. An ex-friend of mine talked me into selling it to him, saying that he’d finish the restoration of it. He had it for about 6 months or so and sold it. I asked why he sold it and he replied he got tired of being broke. The truth was he’d made a bet with someone at work that he’d get my car and was actually shocked when I agreed to sell it to him. That’s part of the reason he and I are no longer speak to each other. I’ve wished a thousand times I’d kept that car. It wasn’t perfect, but it had a lot of potential.
Now $24,950.
To me the 71 Thur 73 never had the definitive styling of the 60 Thur 1970 Mustang but this generation Mustang was a hit with me and considering what came after this car only makes this more desirable. I think it a great buy and someone will be very lucky to get it if it’s not big up much more.
Already taken down, was way underpriced.