1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 performance-oriented option package was introduced in August of 1968 for the 1969 model year and continued through 1978, reappearing briefly in 2003 and 2004. Mach 1 is the speed of sound, approximately 761 mph at sea level on a standard day, and for the Mustang, it was the proliferation of performance. The 1973 Ford Mach 1 continued to be the top-of-the-line Mustang and was the final year of the first-generation Mustang. The Mustang had received a complete styling overhaul for the 1971 production year that carried through 1973 with only minor noticeable changes, limited in 1973 to a redesigned front grille insert with vertical signal lights and, in the Mach 1 and Décor versions, the traditional galloping pony emblem over a tricolor bar. While the Mustang had grown to accommodate the 429 cubic-inch big-block engines, the largest powerplant for 1973 was the 351 CID V8 in 2- and 4-barrel carburetor configuration. Mustang enthusiasts knew this was possibly the last of the V8-powered Mustang muscle cars, as Ford was preparing to introduce the Mustang II for 1974 with standard 4-cylinder and optional 6-cylinder power.

The 1973 Mach 1 was based on the Mustang's updated front end and tail lights as part of a mild update while continuing the Mach tradition as a SportsRoof only. The Mach 1 package included a NASA duct hood, honeycomb grille, new mid-body side stripes, blackout grille and rear panel, dual color-keyed racing mirrors, front disc brakes, and competition suspension. They rode on E70-14 whitewall tires of bias-belted wide-oval construction and had an all-vinyl upholstery and trim with high-back bucket seats. The Mach 1 was clearly identified by contrasting body-side stripes with Mach 1 lettering cutouts.

A new option for 1973 was the 'Tu-Tone' hood paint treatment option that consisted of the black or argent paint treatment and twist locks but was devoid of the functional components of the Ram Air system.

The 302 cubic-inch, 140 hp Windsor V8 remained standard with the two or four-barrel 351 Cleveland optional. Both the 302 and the 351 Cleveland had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, and five main bearings. The 429 cubic-inch CJ and SCJ engines had been dropped from the lineup in 1972, and horsepower ratings had been lowered across the industry as they switched to new SAE net horsepower calculations. The 351HO engine was dropped for 1973 and the 351-2V was the only engine available with Ram Air. The 302 CID V8 with a two-barrel carburetor produced 140 bhp and 239 lb-ft of torque. The 2-barrel 351 had 177 bhp and 284 lb-ft of torque, and the 351 with the four-carburetor setup produced 266 horsepower and 301 lb-ft of torque.

The 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 the final year of the SportsRoof (a.k.a. fastback) body series, had a base price of $3080 and total production reached 35,440 units. 1973 was the year that Ford produced the fewest number of Mach 1 Mustangs.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020