Opening Paragraph

Here is a genuine milestone in pony car history—the final open-top Mustang Ford would build for a full decade. After 1973, the convertible vanished from the lineup until 1983, making this the last expression of the original, full-size Mustang era before emissions rules and fuel shortages forced a complete redesign. With just 11,853 convertibles produced that year, and only a fraction fully optioned with V8 power, a power top, auxiliary gauges, and a sport interior, this is exactly the kind of well-specified survivor that discerning collectors seek out. Finished in composed Gray Metallic with a crisp red side stripe package and a black power convertible top, it makes a striking, purposeful statement without shouting. Slide inside and you’re greeted by an all-red vinyl cabin that photographs beautifully and reads correct for the era. Recreating a car with this combination of body style, drivetrain, and interior quality from scratch takes real effort—which is precisely why a solid, fully sorted example like this deserves your serious attention.

Engine & Drivetrain

Proven 302ci Windsor small-block V8—one of the most durable and best-supported classic Ford engines ever built, with broad parts availability that makes ongoing enjoyment effortless
Ford SelectShift 3-speed automatic transmission, offering relaxed highway cruising with manual gear selection when you want it
Power steering for easy, confident maneuvering
Power brakes with front discs and rear drums—the correct, period-appropriate configuration for a V8 Mustang, and a meaningful safety upgrade of its day
Dual exhaust exiting cleanly and symmetrically below the rear bumper, delivering a satisfying, true V8 note
Headers fitted in the engine bay, a sign this car has been driven and maintained rather than left to sit
Chrome air cleaner and dressed valve covers adding a tidy, polished finish under the hood

Exterior

Sophisticated Gray Metallic finish beautifully contrasted by a red sport stripe package running the lower body
Functional NASA-style hood scoop finished in body color, sitting flush for a genuine performance profile
Rear deck spoiler adding a period-correct finishing touch at the tail
Handsome chrome 5-spoke wheels wrapped in classic white letter tires—the ideal era-correct combination
Black power convertible top that works as it should and pairs perfectly with the gray body and red accents
Full-width taillight panel with the signature 1971–1973 sequential-style turn signal design
Clean chrome rear bumper with correct Mustang script and symmetrical dual exhaust tips below

Interior

Striking all-red vinyl cabin with ribbed bucket seats front and rear, correct in style for this generation
Red vinyl door panels accented by woodgrain inserts framed in bright chrome trim—a detail that truly shines in person
Period-correct wood-rim steering wheel, offered only on the 1971–1973 Mustang, anchoring the driver’s cockpit
Three-pod instrument cluster with the desirable optional tachometer, ringed in gold trim for a clean, purposeful look
Auxiliary gauge cluster—oil pressure, alternator charge, and coolant temperature—mounted in the center console area
Center console with chrome T-handle shifter and a factory console clock
Factory-style Mustang-branded AM radio with its correct period face
Air conditioning controls laid out in the correct horizontal dash format
Pony floor mats featuring the running horse and tri-bar logo, tying the cabin together

Additional Info

Undercoated floor pan with an underside that presents well on the lift—no visible rot or major structural concerns
Solid, properly sorted suspension, rear axle, and exhaust routing confirmed in the underbody photos
Fully optioned, driver-quality example built to be enjoyed, not simply parked

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