1970 Ford Mustang

Description

What's the most patriotic car of all time? I'd argue it's a bright red Mustang convertible like this great 1970 model. Not a dressed-up clone of some kind, not a fake GT, but a simple, clean V8-powered ragtop that looks great. America invented the muscle car, and the Mustang convertible has become iconic around the world because of it.

I like Mustangs that stick to the original formula and don't try to become something they're not. Sure, tributes and clones are fun, but for most folks in the 1970s, Mustangs looked just like this and if you want a lot of fun for not a lot of cash, this is how you do it. Bright red always works on a Mustang, particularly a convertible, and the 1970 models were as clean as they come. Clearly the product of easy living, this pony has straight, clean sheetmetal that only comes from warm, dry places, and while it's been repainted, it has a wonderful patina that helps make it look very authentic to the period. The panel fit is quite good, particularly for a convertible, and the even gaps around the doors are your best evidence of this never being a rusty or wrecked ragtop. There's also a smattering of chrome to sparkle against the red paint, including bright bumpers front and rear, bright trim around the blacked-out grille, and shiny taillight bezels that highlight the famous three-element design.

Mustang interiors have always been about high style, too. With high-back buckets dressed in highly detailed seat covers, this Mustang doesn't look like it should be bargain-priced. Add in a center console, some fairly nice woodgrain appliques, and carpets that haven't been bleached by the sun and you have a great place to spend some time this weekend. The instrumentation is fairly comprehensive, lacking only a tachometer, and with a Mustang you could get a whole host of upgrades, including factory A/C (not currently hooked up) and an AM/FM stereo radio in the dash. A white power convertible top raises or lowers itself in the time it takes to wait at a red light, so sunshine is only a few seconds away, and the trunk is deep and well-shaped so you can carry all your gear when you head out on the road.

A 302 cubic inch V8 makes for a great travelling partner in a Mustang. Torquey and fun, but not thirsty like a big block, it happily burbles along the highway and idles in traffic without issues thanks to a new carb up top. Rebuilt just last year, it runs superbly with crisp throttle response and lots of low-end torque that makes this pony feel quick and agile in traffic. Finished in Ford Blue engine enamel, it looks quite stock and features a lot of rebuilt components, ranging from the power steering system to the freshly rebuilt C4 3-speed automatic transmission behind it. Underneath, it's quite solid and while it's mostly original, someone did a good job replicating the original red oxide finish on the floors, the front springs are new, the brake system as just fully rebuilt, and there's a fresh dual exhaust system that sounds great. Flashy Magnum 500 wheels give it a racy look and wear 215/65/15 front and 245/60/15 rear performance radials.

Nice Mustangs are getting harder to find all the time, and this honest red ragtop with lots of recent work in all the important areas will make a great summertime cruiser for years to come. Call today!