The Pick of the Day is a 1973 Ford Mustang convertible with a double-digit odometer reading — somehow, this 48-year-old vehicle has accrued just 84 miles over its lifetime. If ever there existed a “time capsule” example of a 1970s-era Mustang, this is about as close as it gets.
The Mustang “was purchased new from Frederick Motor Company in Frederick, Maryland, and driven to Dover, Pennsylvania, which is 57 miles away,” according to the private seller in Dover, Pennsylvania, advertising the convertible on ClassicCars.com.
The seller said that the Mustang’s ultra-low mileage is genuine and authentic.
“It is unbelievable, but it is real,” the seller declares. “With exception of the battery, this Mustang is all original right down to the tires, which still show the white chalk markings from new. This completely original, unrestored, unaltered car will not disappoint.”
The story goes that the seller purchased the Mustang from the original owner’s son, who is now 82 years old. The listing doesn’t specify why the original owner saw fit to tuck this Mustang away long-term, but the storage strategy included the requisite paper trail; an owner’s manual, warranty booklet, promotional materials, and other documentation items are included with the sale.
The Mustang was garage-kept throughout its motionless life, although started on occasion, the seller says.
Power comes from a 302cid V8 equipped with a two-barrel carburetor and coupled with a three-speed Select Shift automatic transmission. The listing on ClassicCars.com doesn’t discuss what mechanical roadworthiness measures were taken during long-term preservation, but with a change of the fluids and a fresh set of rubber, the Mustang looks like it could be driven without much preparation.
“I was told by the original owner’s son, who I purchased the car from, that the top has never been down,” the ad states. “This Mustang would make an excellent museum car.”
At the start of the 1970s, the original design language of the Mustang was tweaked, and it became larger in most dimensions. The 1973 model year was the last of its generation, so perhaps that was one reason why the original owner decided to put this essentially brand-new example away for safekeeping.
The seller is asking $49,000. The new car smell is included.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
It would be interesting to read an article on how the original owner of this car should have stored it away. All materials degrade over time, plastics, vinyl, upholstery, steel. Mold grows and mice roam too. What are the expensive dangers of buying a car such as this? I personally would not buy it, but that is me.
UGH!!! I guess the dealer stuck that rub strip down the side on the car before they bought it? Deduct 50% for the holes drilled in both sides of the car.
My 73 Sportsroof, (Fastback) came with those strips added by the dealer, and they were off the first day with my sisters hair dryer and a little mineral spirits for the remaining glue. NO HOLES !!
It would be interesting to know why it was stored for so many years and never used.
Really ? How can you tell
73 Mustangs did not leave the factory with door strips. It ruins the looks of this car. Even with low miles this still is not a sought after car like the 69/70 mustangs. Asking price is too high. More like 25K.
The last issue I have of the NADA Classic,Collectible Exotic, and Muscle Car Appraisal Guide is September through December 2019, and it has the value of a “High” car at $37,600, without adding for the Deluxe interior that this car has. There are no deductions listed for the 302 or the automatic. The “high” category specifically doesn’t represent a #1 car or 100 point car. My guess is that there is no way ’73 Mustangs have gone down in value since 2019. This car may not be worth $50,000, but I’ll bet it’s worth $40,000. My 73 Sportsroof, (Fastback) came with those strips added by the dealer, and they were off the first day with my sisters hair dryer and a little mineral spirits for the remaining glue.
Interesting car. It seems to me the original owner bought the car for whatever reason then stuck it in his small garage as car #2. Door dings developed over time. Time comes to get rid of the garage queen but the dealer sees the dings and puts the strip on to hide them or help. He then needs to put a strip on the other side to balance it out. The real question is whether it was a wise investment to buy the car and house it for almost 5 decades only to sell it today at almost 50K minus prep costs and the sales commission. Maybe the owner should have invested in real estate!
I give you $25,000 cash if you’re interested don’t like the strips down the sides .