71 Mustang Headaches

[stang98kjg]

I just bought a71 mustang Mach 1 with a 429 4barrel engine, yellow with black trim.

Here is my problem the VIN says it should be a light pewter metallic, 351cid 4V V8. I'll attach some pictures to see what I'm starting with. Any help on what would make this a great valuable car would be appreciated. I don't know what to do first.

Unfortunately I do not have a picture of the 429 or I would post it also.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Well to make this a great and valuable car. First it would have to be put back as close as possible to original. Like it came off the showroom floor. Second one has to break down the VIN, and the original code tag, from the door. To see what options it came with, and to obtain a Marti report. Which list all kinds of info, and lists how rare, your car is with it's options. Third one has to ask, is it worth the money to restore this car back to original. Or find one that is original and heavily optioned, to restore. Or even, an original in pristine condition, and just enjoy it. Lastly you can see, your car has just been freshly redone by someone? What did he have to start with? A rust bucket? a wreck? or a mongrel of several cars? If your going to restore it back to original, you'll have to undo everthing he's done. Unless it was a heavily optioned "special "car in some way. I'd sell it and go a different direction. If you want a great and valuable car. Just my thoughts. JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

You have what appears to be a nice car. Evidently you thought so as well as you have made the purchase.

While a 1971 351C 4-V is worth more than your average Mach 1, your car is probably currently worth as much as it ever will be unless it was to be professionally refurbished to original (who knows where the original #'s matching drive-train is) and that would literally cost more than the car would then be worth.

The value of your car is in your enjoyment and keeping it in good shape and making little improvements from time to time. Should you ever then decide to sell it you will have not lost and will quite possibly make a few dollars.

Welcome to the site. It's great to have you with us. Please feel free to jump on in and share some of your history and your interest in your Mach 1 and Mach 1's in general.

[Rare Pony]

Unless you like the custom stripes on it, I would go back to the original Mach 1 stripes which will give it more of an original look. Actually some of the resto mods are bringing similar money as the ones restored to original. The best thing to do is make it the way you like it!

[stang98kjg]

Found out some good news yesterday, at least I think it is good news. The original car is a Boss 429 mach 1. The door where I got the vin number was a replacement door, which I assume means it was wrecked at some point...won't know that till I get it in the garage. I'm pretty sure that will bring up the price quite a bit.

The first thing to go is the stripes, ordered a set this morning with the boss 429 name graphics.

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ok i'm a rooky with the mach 1s i have no idea what I have after studying the specs. maybe someone else can help me. I have a mach 1, with a 429 CJ engine and an automatic transmission. What model would that have alluded to.

PLEASE EXCUSE MY STUPIDITY

[Steven Harris]

Your cars VIN tells it's story.

The best way to know what your car came with is to purchase a Marti report which will decode the complete car and what options it came with from the factory. You can even purchase a new door sticker with the correct information on it.

The engine code on your vin should be a C for a 429-4V Cobra Jet or a J for a 429-4V Super CJ Ram Air.

For example my 73 VIN reads 3F05H....

The 3 is year. The F tells which plant. The 05 Mach 1 body style. The H for a 351 2V. The next numbers are consecutive production numbers.

Let us know what you find!

[gxr02190]

Give us the first 5 digits of your V.I.N. and we'll be able to tell you what you have there. No such animal as a Boss 429 Mach 1. No Boss 429's after 1970. 1971 Boss cars were 351's. Note: Door and dashboard mounted v.i.n. tags are easily changed on these cars, so pulling the left front fender may be necessary to view the v.i.n. that left with the car from the factory. It will be stamped into the top of the fender apron.

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1971 429 cars are either CJ's or SCJ's.

[stang98kjg]

i'll work on getting that information. It will take me some time to get the car in the garage to get the pieces off. I'll post again when I figure it out. Thanks for the help.

[keith1562]

The first step is to order a Marti report, it will tell you exactly how the car came from the factory. 2nd is to determine what you would enjoy most, a 429 #'s matching or not sounds like a whole lotta fun. 3rd is to decide if you want a factory look. The yellow & black are a classic combo, change out the stripes and it will look factory. 4th whatever you decide make sure you have alotta fun doing it!

[stang98kjg]

Got the Marti report on the way. I only paid 13000 for the car. Got the stripes on the kitchen counter waiting for the black paint around the bottom. At the very least I have a car i've always wanted and made all my friends want one.