1973 Mustang Buyers Inspection Guide

Inspection Checklist

Body, Rust, And Structure

The same first-generation rust priorities still apply: inspect the cowl, floor pans, rockers, torque boxes, and rear leaf-spring mounts.
Alignment or tire-wear complaints on 1971 cars should trigger a crossmember/side-rail inspection because NHTSA documented missed spot welds in that area.
1973 front-end photos should match the federal-bumper year with the large urethane bumper, vertical lamps at grille ends, and revised grille treatment.

Options And Special Models

1971-1973 Mach 1s should be SportsRoof cars; coupe or convertible Mach 1 claims are clone or custom stories unless clearly described as tribute builds.
Boss 351 and 429/351 performance claims should be verified with Marti/build data, drivetrain date codes, rear axle, cooling, suspension, and interior evidence.
Use door/data plate, Marti report, and photos to verify paint, trim, axle, and transmission; replacement tags and repaints are common on restored cars.

Mechanical And Safety

1972-1973 302 V8 with factory A/C needs cooling-fan recall awareness; verify by VIN/equipment and do not run suspect flexible fans near an open hood.
Check power steering, front suspension, brakes, cooling, fuel hoses, and engine bay wiring carefully; these heavier cars expose shortcuts in older restorations.

Photo Clues

Mach 1 photos should show SportsRoof body, correct striping/hood treatment, grille/bumper year details, and interior cues that match the trim code.

A 1973 wearing earlier front trim or bumper pieces should have collision/restoration explanation before travel money is spent.

Do not let ten-foot photographs substitute for a direct cowl and floor inspection with a flashlight and magnet.

VIN, Tag & Option Mismatch Checks

Mach 1 body-style mismatch is a major warning: the factory package was SportsRoof, not hardtop or convertible.

Rare drivetrain claims should match Marti data where available. Marti special-paint entries can appear as Unknown because Ford did not retain the color in this data, so physical color layers and other documentation still matter.

Known Buyer Risks

Cowl, floor, rocker, torque-box, and rear leaf-spring-mount rust remain the shop-identified first-generation bodywork risks.
Cooling fan and recall-related hardware should be checked by VIN/equipment, especially on V8/A/C cars.

Color & Interior Database

Use paint/interior codes as a screening tool, then verify individual cars from door labels, window stickers, Marti reports where available, SVT/Shelby/registry records, or Ford build data.

Code	Color / Trim	Model	Body	Units	Notes
A	Wimbledon White	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
B	Bright Red	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
C	Medium Yellow Gold	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
D	Medium Blue Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
H	Medium Brown Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
K	Blue Glow	Mustang	-	Not published	Glamour paint option
M	Medium Copper Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
N	Medium Aqua	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
P	Medium Green Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
Q	Dark Green Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
T	Saddle Bronze Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
3	Light Blue	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
6	Medium Bright Yellow	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
4B	Bright Green Gold Metallic	Mustang	-	Not published	Paint code reference; exact production count not publicly verified.
4C	Ivy Glow	Mustang	-	Not published	Glamour paint option
6F	Gold Glow	Mustang	-	Not published	Glamour paint option
AA	Black	Mustang	Interior	Not published	Standard vinyl
AB	Med. Blue	Mustang	Interior	Not published	Standard vinyl
AF	Med. Ginger	Mustang	Interior	Not published	Standard vinyl
AG	Avocado	Mustang	Interior	Not published	Standard vinyl
AW	White	Mustang	Interior	Not published	Standard vinyl

Confidence: Availability-focused; exact counts not publicly verified. Breakout: No verified production-by-color breakout available.

1973 Mustang Buyers Guide