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Buy with confidence!
If for any reason
you're not
completely satisfied
with an item, simply
return it within 7
days and the
purchase price will
be refunded.
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We ship world wide.
All international
orders must be paid
online. Checks or
money orders drawn
on non-US banks will
not be accepted.
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1973 Mustang - The End of an Era
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The ‘73 Mustang brought the
first chapter of the Mustang to
a close. It was the end of a
colorful era in which one car,
the Ford Mustang, made an
entire populace rethink its
definition of the term “sports
car.”
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In a bit of a surprise, and contrary to the previous year, the 1973 Mustang took on noticeable
exterior changes. This was an intriguing move made, most likely, to increase the flagging sales from
the year before, which were down 25,000 units from 1971. For 1973, the Mustang did see a slight
increase in sales of approximately 10,000 units. This may, however, have come from the fear of
what was to come. By now, word was out that a newer, smaller Mustang would be revealed the
following year, and not all Mustang enthusiasts were looking forward to the downsizing.
These were strange times in the automotive industry. The 1973 Mustang represents the end of the
pony car era as it had originally been defined. What would follow would be a radical change in the
way the car was made and perceived. This was the end of the first-generation Mustang and, to
many, the end of a legend.
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1973 Mustang at a Glance
Body Styles: Coupe, convertible, and fastback
Construction: Unibody
Engine Options: 250-ci inline six @ 99 hp, 302-ci V-8 @ 141 hp, 351-ci 2V V-8 @ 177 hp, 351-ci 4V
V-8 @ 266 hp (CJ)
Suspension: Independent w/coil springs and shocks in front; semi-elliptic leaf springs w/shocks in
rear
Units Sold: 134,867 total, 76,754 coupes, 11,853 convertibles, 46,260 fastbacks
Retail Price: $2,760 coupe, $3,102 convertible, $2,820 fastback
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Body and Trim
The most noticeable changes to the ‘73 exterior were in the front grill. The corral surround was
retained but had vertical bars emanating from it (as opposed to horizontal the year before), this
over a large rectangular mesh field. The “mouth” of the grill had a chrome perimeter, and a vertical
turn signal was housed just inside each end. The headlights now had a rectangular chromed bezel.
The body-color urethane front bumper, now standard on all models, jutted out a full inch longer
than that of the ‘72 model to meet new federal safety standards. The depth of the chrome rear
bumpers was increased for the same reason. A “Mustang” script continued to grace n the front
fenders. Bumper guards were available as a single option or part of the Deluxe Bumper Group,
which included the pair of rear guards with rubber bumper faces.
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After getting no changes
the previous year, the ‘73
Mustang received cosmetic
changes. Vertical turn
signals, a wide mesh grill,
and protruding bumpers
were key modifications
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The Mach 1 grill got a mild revamp in 1973.
Vertical turn signals and an expanded
honeycomb mesh grill were used inside a black
fascia with chrome trim accenting the opening.
The headlight bezels were changed to a
rectangular shape and were all bright metal as
you can see here. You can also see the fascia
surround the grill.
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The Mustang script, now well entrenched in
Mustang design, continued to be placed on the
front fenders of the car. The silver paint on the
lower side panels was part of the Décor Group
option that included the hockey-stick side
stripe.
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The “hockey stick” tape stripe continued as part of the Exterior Décor Group, but the Mach 1 got its
own look. See the section on the Mach 1 under 1973 Mustang variants below.
New for 1973 were fully chromed taillight bezels complementing those used on the headlights. On
the rear inset panel, a black-grained appliqué was used on standard coupes, convertibles, and
SportsRoof models, while Grandé and Mach 1 models got a honeycomb treatment.
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The non-functional NASA Ram-Air hood was still available — standard equipment on the Mach 1
with 351-ci 4-barrel powerplants, and as a no-cost option on those with the 302-ci 2-barrel engine.
The fully functional Ram-Air hood was available with 4-barrel versions of the 351. A double-striped
two-tone hood option was available for all models without the dual ram induction.
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The Ram-Air hood was available in both
functional and non-functional (as seen here)
form. The two-tone hood option was standard
on Mach 1 but available as an option on other
models.
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This is the underside of the non-functional
Ram-Air hood. Note the blocked scoop intakes
and U-shaped area. This is where the plenum
on the functional Ram-Air unit goes.
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Paint options (with Ford code numbers in
parentheses) for the 1973 Mustang were as follows:
Wimbledon White (9A), Bright Red (2B), Maroon
(2J), Light Blue (3B), Medium Blue Metallic (3D),
Blue Glow (3K), Ivy Glow (4C), Medium Aqua (4N),
Medium Green Metallic (4P), Dark Green Metallic
(4Q), Medium Brown Metallic (5H), Medium Copper
Metallic (5M), Saddle Bronze Metallic (5T), Medium
Yellow Gold (6C), Medium Bright Yellow (6E), and
Gold Glow (6F).
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The 1973 interior changed
little for the year. This
Mustang is optioned with
extras like a console (a
mini-console was standard on
like models with automatics)
and electric clock.
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The interior of the 1973 Mustang saw only minor revisions. The dash, gauges, door panels, and
seat patterns were identical to the 1971 model. The two-spoke steering wheel (deluxe on the ‘71
model, standard on the ‘72) with galloping Mustang center badge was standard. A leather-wrapped
version of the two-spoke steering wheel was a new option for the year, and the three-spoke Rim-
Blow wheel was offered once again.
The Instrumentation Group was once again offered with the same package of gauge revisions seen
on the ‘71 and ‘72 models. The Décor Group included the Instrumentation Group, special vinyl or
cloth seat inserts, a deluxe two-spoke steering wheel, molded door panels, a black dash panel and
instrument faces, a wood-grain center dash appliqué, a rear ashtray, an electric clock, color-keyed
floor mats, bright trim foot pedals, and dual remote racing mirrors. The Mach 1 Sports Interior
(which was available on other SportsRoof models) included the two-spoke deluxe steering wheel,
knitted vinyl seats, the Instrumentation Group, molded door panels, black and wood-grain dash
accents, an electric clock, a rear ashtray, bright foot pedal trim, and integrated color-keyed rubber
mats in the front. A Hurst shifter was used on all four-speed models, but the ‘73 had a round shift
knob instead of the T-shifter used in the previous two years.
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The interior color lineup remained unchanged with the exception of the commemorative Sprint
models, which got their own separate look. For more on this see the section below on 1973
Mustang Sprint. Standard vinyl interior colors for 1973 were as follows: Medium Blue, Black, White,
Avocado, and Medium Ginger. Knitted vinyl and combination cloth/vinyl inserts were available
(Décor Group) to match each of the vinyl colors.
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Previous | Next
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This has been a sample page from
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Ford Mustang 1964-1/2 - 1973
by Pat Covert
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Designed for the Mustang restorer & model car builder alike, this
book gives vintage Mustang enthusiasts the detailed information
and Illustrations they need to build highly accurate models or
restored full-size cars. The text covers what finishes, materials,
and parts were correct for each year, with information on
variations and options. Full-color photos show detailed views of
the car’s body and trim, chassis and undercarriage, drivetrain and
engine bay, and interior. Straight profile and front and rear views
are printed to scale to allow enthusiasts to accurately place
decals, stripes, and trim pieces. Sidebars cover production
numbers, performance figures, and paint, trim, and interior codes
and colors.
Most vintage Mustangs have been modified heavily over the last
40 years. This book will show you how your Mustang really was
originally, including accurate 1/24-scale photos and extremely
detailed color shots of the interior, suspension, chassis, engine
compartment and other hard-to-find angles! This book will prove
to be an indispensable resource for model builders, enthusiasts,
restorers, & owners.
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Click below to view sample
pages of each chapter.
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Chap. 1 - 1964-1/2 Mustang
Chap. 2 - 1965 Mustang
Chap. 3 - 1966 Mustang
Chap. 4 - 1967 Mustang
Chap. 5 - 1968 Mustang
Chap. 6 - 1969 Mustang
Chap. 7 - 1970 Mustang
Chap. 8 - 1971 Mustang
Chap. 9 - 1972 Mustang
Chap. 10 - 1973 Mustang
Chap. 11 - Modeling
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8-1/2 x 11"
112 pages
Softbound
Item # SP079
Price: $discontinued
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Click here to buy now!
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This is a great book that any Mustang enthusiast will love!
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Other items you might be interested in
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Mustang Muscle Portfolio 1967-1973
Road and comparison test, specifications, and model introductions on
the Shelby GT 350 & 500; 390 GT; 428 Cobra Jet; Tunnel Port; Mach
1, 351, 428, 429; Boss 302, 351, 429; Grande; and 351 HO. 140 pgs.,
over 250 b&w photos. Sftbd.
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Price:
$22.95
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Mustang Restoration Tips & Techniques
From ‘Hot Rod’ magazine 100s of how-to tips for pre-’73 Mustang
owners inc. rust & dent repair, painting, engine detailing, boosting
horsepower, doors, interiors, more. 163 pgs. Sftbd.
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Price:
$18.95
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Super '60s Fords
The Inside Story of the Most Powerful Fords Ever Built. This book
covers the entire Ford performance story in the ‘60s -- and not just
Mustangs and Cobras! Covers models year by year with
performance engines & stats. Sftbd. 8-1/2 x 11, 160+ pages, 200 b/w
photos 100+ color photos.
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Price:
$22.95
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Shipping is combined and discounted for multiple item purchases!
Buy more and save on shipping!
We ship Worldwide! See International Shipping for more information!
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Search Our Store for More Great Ford, Lincoln & Mercury Items!
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FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE
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we would like to be to treated. We strive to describe all items correctly. You have many options
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FAST SHIPPING
Items usually ship within one business day of receipt of payment! We keep large quantities on hand
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ready to ship.
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YES, WE HAVE A RETURN POLICY
Satisfaction is guaranteed. Our store has a NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY within 7 days of
purchase. Your exchange will be processed upon receipt. If you are not satisfied with your
purchase, our knowledgeable team will do their best to make sure you get what you are looking for.
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QUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY
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SHIPPING
Standard shipping is a flat rate of $4.95 to anywhere in the United States with USPS Media Mail.
Priority Mail shipping is available for an additional $3.00, or $7.95 shipping. Shipping is combined
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PAYMENT & SALES TAX
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If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us. We look forward to serving
you and fulfilling your needs.
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Thanks for your business!
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MRE
PO Box 47
Grinnell, IA 50112
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