1973 Ford Mustang

1973 Ford Mustang Convertible 302 V8, Power Top, Solid Undercarriage


Why This Car Is Special

The 1973 Ford Mustang convertible holds a distinction that most collectors have come to appreciate over time: it was the last open-top Mustang Ford would build for eleven years. When the Mustang II arrived for 1974, the convertible was gone from the lineup entirely. It didn't return until the 1983 model year. That makes every 1973 Ford Mustang convertible a legitimate endpoint in a specific chapter of Mustang history and it makes survivors in solid, driving condition increasingly difficult to find.

The 1971 through 1973 generation is often called the largest Mustang ever built in the original pony car era, and that's accurate. Ford stretched the platform considerably compared to the first-generation cars, adding muscle car proportions to a nameplate that had started life as a compact. By 1973, the body had been refined with a new egg-crate grille and color-keyed front bumper, giving the car a cleaner nose than the 1971 and 1972 models. The rear bumper also received an update for 1973, with a full-width chrome unit that tied the tail together more neatly. These changes make the 1973 the most visually refined version of this generation.

Ford sold just under 11,900 convertibles for the 1973 model year across all engine configurations. That's a relatively small number when you consider total Mustang production for 1973 was over 134,000 units. Convertibles represented less than nine percent of the total build. Most of those have been lost to time, accidents, or simple neglect. Clean examples like this one have thinned out considerably.

The VIN on this car decodes to confirm it was assembled at the Dearborn, Michigan plant, which was Ford's primary Mustang production facility throughout the first-generation era. The body style code confirms the convertible configuration, and the engine code aligns with the 302 cubic inch two-barrel V8 as originally installed.

This particular 1973 Ford Mustang convertible presents in its original green exterior over a black vinyl interior, wearing a black power convertible top. It has dual exhaust, rally-style chrome wheels, and a solid undercarriage that puts it well ahead of most comparable 1973 convertibles currently on the market.


Features List

- 302ci 2-barrel V8 engine
- 3-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, floor-mounted shifter
- Power convertible top, black
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Dual exhaust with dual rear exit tips
- Ram Air hood scoops
- Rally-style chrome wheels
- White letter tires
- Center console with dual cup holders
- Black vinyl bucket seats, front and rear
- Full round instrument pod with individual gauges
- FM Stereo radio
- Underdash 8-track player
- Woodgrain door panel inserts
- Body side stripes
- Solid, coated undercarriage
- Modern rubber floor mats


Mechanical

Under the hood sits the 302 cubic inch two-barrel V8, Ford's standard small-block displacement for this era. The 302 was built on the same basic architecture as the 289 that came before it, a platform that had already proven itself in everything from street cars to road racing. By 1973, emissions equipment had reduced net output compared to earlier years, but the 302 in two-barrel trim remained a tractable, reliable engine with a long service record and excellent parts availability. The air cleaner lid on this car is clearly marked 302-2V, confirming the correct engine designation as built.

Behind the engine is a 3-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, with the shifter mounted in the center console. Ford's SelectShift unit allowed the driver to hold individual gears manually if desired, giving the automatic more versatility than a conventional automatic of the era. The transmission has been confirmed by inspection to be correct for the application.

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