1973 Mustang Mach 1 Cobra Jet

[19simmons65]

I was just driving down the street and saw a 1973 Mustang Mach 1 CobraJet for sale. The guy is asking 13k obo and states that it's 80% original and drives great. Of course I'm going to have it checked over by a mechanic (i.e., AAA 100 point inspection). I could only see one rust spot poking thru the paint--i'm sure there is more. The underside looked pretty solid. The interior needs some work but nothing major.

Does anyone have this car? How does it handle? What should I be looking for (i.e., defects)? Is 13K to high an asking price.

Thanks in advance,
Regie

 

[chepsk8]

I'm not sure if there was a Mach 1 in 1973, but if it is the "R" code cleveland, that's a honey of a motor. Basically a low-comprsssion Boss 351 with hydraulic cam. They are actually rare, but I don't know the prices.

I have a friend who is the original owner of a 1973 Vert with the "R" motor, 4-speed, 3.25 with the resonators, Ginger/ginger/black top, a super-rare car.

 

[GrandeStang73]

They only made the coupe, Grande, and Mach 1 in 73'. Unless he swapped that Cobra Jet in there, something shady is going down with that guy. You can tell alot by the looks of the motor. 1973 was the first year for emissions, so you'll see the EGR plate right underneath the carb. It's not going to be a high compression motor if its an original motor also. My 73' 351C 2V was rated at 190 HP and 240 lbs. o torque. just check it all out and make a wise decision!

 

[oxarmy1]

Believe me I am no expert on these cars, but I did just pick one up also. Yes there was a Mach 1 in 73. I don’t believe that there where any R codes in 73. The top option in 73 was the Q code. So look for that in the vin. If it is a Q code car then there will be no ram air option. I have been told two things 1) RA was not available in 73 on any mustang. 2) RA was only available on 2bbl cars due to emissions. Hope that helps a little.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

Believe me I am no expert on these cars, but I did just pick one up also. Yes there was a Mach 1 in 73. I don’t believe that there where any R codes in 73. The top option in 73 was the Q code. So look for that in the vin. If it is a Q code car then there will be no ram air option. I have been told two things 1) RA was not available in 73 on any mustang. 2) RA was only available on 2bbl cars due to emissions. Hope that helps a little.

You are correct. There was an open chamber 4V Clevland available in '73 and it was the Q code, also called the 351 Cobra Jet. And only 2V engines came with Ram Air from the factory.
The 351 HO/"R" code was not a factory option for '73, it was only available for a short time early in the '72 Model year.

The '71-'73 Mustangs ride and handle very well. Part of that comes from the longer wheelbase and part of it the extra weight of the car. I have a '73 Mach 1 and I enjoy driving in it. The ride is good and the seats are comfortable. One problem is that the aftermarket is just now starting to show these cars some love.

 

[19simmons65]

I've been talking with my wife about the color of the car...presently Grabber Blue...and of course she hates it. Not that it matters! I've been trying to find a color palette for the 73 online but I haven't located one. Has one seen one posted?

How much did you guys pay for your '73? What was the condition?

 

[ratio411]

73 Mach I cars with the CJ were cool cars IMO.
The Cleveland blocks that year were thinner than earlier, but the CJ was 4 bolt main that year. Heads are the less desireable open chambers and compression was lower than previous. Probably a good thing considering the open chambers were not compression friendly.

All in all, though, they were good cars.
Look for the digit 4 cast into the heads, check the casting number on the block, look for the digit Q in the VIN. Also, there is a way to tell if it is a real Mach... I think it has something to do with the number 63... Maybe the trim code on the door frame. Find out for sure and match all the numbers.
If they check out, and rust is minimal, it is surely worth 12-13k.
Make sure to pour a quart or so of water into each side of the cowl...
If water leaks into the car, it is very likely rusted in the cowl and expesive to fix.
Point out each mismatch and problem like this to the owner and see if he starts lowering the price.
Dave

 

[ratio411]

I have been told two things 1) RA was not available in 73 on any mustang. 2) RA was only available on 2bbl cars due to emissions. Hope that helps a little.

Ram air was only on 2v cars... Also, 2v cars were only FMX.

4v cars were all CJ, no RA, and they were available with a Toploader.
Hurst shifter was included that year with the 4 speed option.
The only 4 speed available was the wide ratio.
4v auto had 3.25 rear, 4v 4 speed had 3.50 rear.

 

[oxarmy1]

Y the aftermarket is just now starting to show these cars some love.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

Also, there is a way to tell if it is a real Mach... I think it has something to do with the number 63... Maybe the trim code on the door frame. Find out for sure and match all the numbers.

The VIN code for a Mach 1 is 05.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I have been told two things 1) RA was not available in 73 on any mustang.

That's the first time I've heard that one.

Ram air was only on 2v cars... Also, 2v cars were only FMX.

So does that mean Ram Air was an option in 73?

19simmons65, try to decifer the metal tag riveted to the front passenger side radiator support in comparison to the VIN. Keep in mind that the VIN on these cars can be swapped in about 5 min.s.

Biggest rust issues to look for is the cowl, rear trunk drop offs, rear tail light panel (around the lights - especially the bottom) and rear window channel.

The price doesn't seem unreasonable, but you'll have to do your homework and judge for yourself. If it has the rear fold down seat option (in good condition) that's a plus.

 

[Gud T.B. Blown]

That's the first time I've heard that one.

So does that mean Ram Air was an option in 73?

.

Ram Air was only available on 2V engines in '73 from the factory.

 

[ratio411]

So does that mean Ram Air was an option in 73?

Yes.
Only on 2v Clevelands, $58.24 option. That was on top of the cost of the Mach package, $181. Because you could only get RA option if you had the NASA hood, and the NASA hood only came on the Mach package.
2v Clevelands were only available if the buyer paid extra for:
Front disc brakes $62.05
FMX $203.73
2v option itself $40.79

All of this though, automatically gave you a 9" rear, in place of the std 8".
2.75 was the gear you got unless you paid $11.66 for the 3.25.

Edit:
I was curious what it would have cost just to get a ram air car in 73...
No options other than what is needed to get RA.
A stripper RA car.
Base 302 SportsRoof: 2907.00
Add Mach: 181.00
Add 351 2v/9" rear: 40.79
Add disc brakes: 62.05
Add FMX: 203.73
Add RA option: 58.24

Total: $3452.81

 

[Platonic Solid]

Damn $58.24 for Ram Air!! I've seen original RA setups sold on eBay for over $1,200. Where do you get this information from?

 

[ratio411]

1973 dealer order guide.
The only year I have...
Would love to find a 72.

 

[SVGAL42]

Cobra Jet question~~
My 73 Conv is a Q code~~ no mention anywhere that it is a Cobra Jet. What's the deal here? I'm confused -- it also has the rare 4 speed for the convertibles that year. The heads have been replaced with '70 closed chamber ~ it runs really nice.

 

[Realmongo]

1973 Q Code = Cobra Jet with 4-Speed or Auto.

 

[SVGAL42]

1973 Q Code = Cobra Jet with 4-Speed or Auto.

Do you know why there isn't any mention of the Cobra Jet--or any insignias,decals, etc on the car? I guess it just wasn't a big deal~~

 

[Realmongo]

The only identification I can think of would have been the air cleaner decal.
See Jim Osborn item DF0365 for the 1972 and 1973 Mustang decal.