351 V8 / 4-Speed! 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Ford rolled out the Mach 1 option on the Mustang in 1969 to perk up sales which had been falling since competition entered the “pony car” field. But the Mach 1 soon became more of an image product rather than a performance car. The base engine in 1972 was a 302 V8 and the 429 Cobra Jet had disappeared thanks to rising insurance premiums. This sweet ’72 Mach 1 looks great at 42,000 miles and is original except for one repaint. Located in Citrus Heights, California, this dark green beauty is available here on craigslist for $36,500. Another swell tip brought to us by ToddK!
Mach 1 sales were still a big factor in the Mustang push, but it didn’t seem to help overall. Production was down to just over 125,000 units in 1972, the Mustang’s worst sales year since the mania began in the prior decade. Yet 27,675 copies of the Mach 1 rolled off the assembly line, including this one with a 351 cubic-inch 4-barrel with Ram Air Induction. It also has a 4-speed manual transmission, which should have been added up to one of the perkiest Mustangs at your local Ford dealer.
The seller suggests that you could either restore this Ford or enjoy driving it as-is. I would opt for the latter because nothing pressing seems to suggest otherwise. The mileage is low, it’s a well-equipped car, and its one repainted in the original color looks to have held up well with no signs of rust. The seller contends that few were produced with the combination of options this Mustang has, like factory air conditioning. A Marti Report would help shed light on any rarities that might apply here.
The ’72 Mustang has a few more emissions tweaks than the ’71, but fewer than the ’73 so perhaps this is the one to get if you like the bigger editions of first-generation Mustangs. After 1973, the car would shrink to subcompact proportions and be powered by 4-cylinder engines as economy won out over performance. Times were changing and who would have thought then you’d have an electric-powered car named Mustang 50 years later?
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Comments
Unfortunate dash cap. Otherwise color me green!
First car I leaned to drive a 4 speed in.
It was a teacher’s car in auto lab back in the early 70’s.
The 71-73 Mustangs aren’t as well-liked primarily because of their increased size and weight. But to me they still look good, with the emphasis on their long proportions (e.g. the hood) and the fastback roofline. I like them in dark colors like this attractive green, over the silver lower body accent.
This example looks pretty good. Don’t see too many with manual transmissions.
I agree. I’m not a big fan of the 71-73 Mustangs either but this is a good looking car. This would be a fun car to own.
I remember a Steven Segal movie Marked for Death where he was driving one of these, black with a blower coming out of the hood. Pretty cool chase and fight scene. I liked this body style ever since. Glwta
Oh yah … anything the great actor Steven Segal drove HAS to be good.
Didn’t James Bond drive one of this era in a movie? Can’t think of the name of it???
Diamonds are forever. He drove it in Las Vegas.
On two wheels at one point, I think.
Red
He drove a 1964 k code convertible in Gold Finger and a 1971 mach 1 in Diamonds are Forever.
The Ford Ranchero in gold finger was very special, had an F350 rear suspension. Due to it hauling that pressed ’68 Lincoln back from the wrecking yard.
It’d be a huge hit here in Germany I’ve seen very few for sale, after shipping add 20-30k$ easy
My mom had a 71 coupe. 302 2 bbl. Carb. 3 speed floor shift. Not rocket ship fast but still fun to drive. This on the other hand looks like it would be a”BLAST”. Really like the color combo also.
There is no such thing as a mustang suv, wtf are you taking about?!
I think he means that weird ‘lectric thing that Ford stuck the Mustang name on.
Yes 1971 Mach 1 in Diamonds Are Forever w Sean Connery.
It was the female interest that odd job adding killing that drove the 65 convertable, white over red. Bond uses DB5 wire wheel hubs to disable it as an excuse to meat the girl.
I’ve got a 71 mach1 with a 351 cleveland, 3 speed auto. It’s in the paint shop right now being painted victory red. It’s fast and i like it.
Oh and he got driven in a blue (I think) 66 in I believe, You only live twice , that’s when he makes the comment “fly this way often ?”
I am unable to view the vehicle or the write-up I can read all the comments and nothing else. Is anyone else having trouble?
BF has been kinda “fritzy” the past few days on my end. Sometimes it seems to freeze, like when typing out a comment. Try refreshing and wait for page to load entirely before scrolling.
Thanks I will and will restart all devices.
4bbl w/Ram Air was unavailable in ’72, 2bbl only.
There were 4 engine options available in 1972… a 302 Wndsor 2 barrel 140 hp… a 351 Cleveland 2 barrel 177 hp… a 351 Cleveland CJ 4 barrel 266 hp… and a 351 Cleveland HO 4 barrel 275 hp
I would rather have the 351 windsor modified 400
PL, you are right about the Ram Air…
Ram air was factory Available on 2V only due to EPA cert. On a 4V it was a dealer installed option.
Nobody gets the 351 Cleveland with the 4 barely. In 72 that put you up there with the hevey hitters. The big block chevelles the cudas the Trans am. A very special vehicle. Big and over sized maybe but look what it is and the time it was born. I find a perfect time machine to cruise in and enjoy it for what it is. The last Horan before the end of an era.would be proud to own it perfect driver.
in my opinion there was no better production engine than the 351 Cleveland. Toughest and strongest stock engine i’ve ever owned. mine was in a 79 ford bronco
I agree. The 351 Cleveland was a great engine and Ford kept the claimed horsepower figures down because of the insurance companies. I have a friend that had a beefed up 1968 Acapulco Blue fastback Mustang GT S code and he could never beat another friend’s 1969 Mach I with a 351 Cleveland. The 68 beat the Cleveland off the line but by the time they both hit 3rd gear, the Mach I was passing him by…. he was always frustrated by that car. They were both awesome cars.
A 1979 Bronco would not have had a 351C in it. The Broncos used the 351M or 400M. The C and M engines are different and do not interchange. To put a C in where a M once was would require changing the transmission as the bell housing bolt pattern is different.
CATHOUSE he could have had a 351 Cleveland in his 79 Bronco sine he doesn’t say anything about the transmission or bell housing. Who knows if he did or didn’t the only thing that you can go bye is what he says unless you see the paperwork on it and inspect it yourself
It was a 79 Ford Bronco XLT from California. Came with stock brushed aluminum wheels, capt seats, brown over tan. Had a built 351 Cleveland and stainless steel straight pipes. Original owner was a drag racer who ran the bronco on the dunes with 33 inch tires. Ran like a raped ape
Wow…..thanks for sharing your knowledge of the 351 Cleveland I currently own a 72 Cougar XR7 with a 351 Cleveland it had a aftermarket 2 bbl carb I switched it out for 4 bbl manifold fi-tech EFI it scoots
Look at that, 3 cars later and I have the answer to the question I asked on the ’72 Cougar posting. I guessed that a same year, same condition Mach I would be 10K more. Looks like we are talking more like 15K.
I would save the $$ and go for the cat.
BARN FINDS……….what is the wordpress BS I am seeing on some listings when I try and open? Some open fine, others do not.
Just started Nov 16th
They are having some sort of website issue.
My advice is to hold on and they will have it fixed soon enough.