1973 Ford Mustang

1973 Ford Mustang Convertible 302 V8, Red Interior, NASA Hood, Power Top

Why This Car Is Special

The 1973 Ford Mustang convertible occupies a genuinely significant place in pony car history: it was the last open-top Mustang Ford would build for a full decade. After 1973, the convertible body style disappeared from the Mustang lineup until 1983, when Ford revived it on the much smaller Fox-body platform. That ten-year gap makes the 1973 Ford Mustang convertible the final expression of the original 'large' Mustang era a car built before emissions regulations and fuel shortages forced a complete redesign. Anyone who understands that history knows exactly why these cars are worth preserving.

The 1973 model year was also the last for the SportsRoof and the classic Mustang body that had been evolving since 1969. Ford made some meaningful updates that year, including standard front bumper guards designed to meet the new federal 5-mph impact standard, which gave the front end a slightly more substantial appearance. Convertible production for 1973 totaled just 11,853 units, making open-top examples a small fraction of total Mustang output that year. Of those, examples optioned with a V8 engine, power top, auxiliary gauges, tachometer, and a full sport interior represent a more select group still.

This particular 1973 Ford Mustang convertible is finished in Gray Metallic with a red side stripe package and wears a black power convertible top. Inside, everything is red vinyl bucket seats, door panels, floor mats, all of it. The car is equipped with the 302 cubic inch V8 backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, ,power steering, power brakes with front discs, dual exhaust, and a NASA-style functional hood scoop. The underside has been coated and shows well on the lift. This is a fully optioned, driver-quality 1973 Ford Mustang convertible with the kind of specification list that takes real effort to recreate from scratch.


Features List

- 302ci V8 Engine
- 3-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Convertible Body Style
- Power Convertible Top
- Black Convertible Top
- Gray Metallic Exterior
- Red Side Stripes
- NASA Hood Scoop
- Rear Deck Spoiler
- Chrome 5-Spoke Wheels
- White Letter Tires
- Red Vinyl Bucket Seats
- Red Vinyl Door Panels with Woodgrain Inserts
- Wood-Rim Steering Wheel
- Center Console
- Console Clock
- Auxiliary Gauge Cluster (Oil, Alternator, Temperature)
- Tachometer
- AM Radio
- Power Steering
- Power Brakes
- Front Disc Brakes
- Rear Drum Brakes
- Dual Exhaust
- Pony Floor Mats
- Undercoated Floor Pan


Mechanical

The 302 cubic inch small-block V8 was a well-proven engine by 1973, having been in continuous development since 1968. Ford marketed it as the 'Windsor' 302, and while net horsepower ratings had come down from the high-compression muscle car era due to new SAE net measurement standards and emissions tuning, the 302 remained a capable and durable engine with a long service history. Its compact dimensions made it a natural fit for the Mustang's engine bay, and the combination of a lightweight short-stroke design and broad parts availability has made it one of the most supported classic V8s in existence today.

Backing the 302 is a 3-speed automatic transmission, which Ford sourced as the SelectShift unit during this period, allowing manual gear selection when the driver chose to use it. The combination of the 302 and automatic made this car a comfortable highway cruiser with enough pull to feel like a proper V8 Mustang. Power steering and power brakes are both present. The front brakes are discs an important safety upgrade that Ford made standard on V8 Mustangs while the rear uses drums, which was the standard configuration for this generation.

The dual exhaust system exits cleanly at the rear and is clearly visible in the underbody photos. The floor pan has b