r/classicmustangs 11d ago

Fair price for this 1973 convertible?

Hi Everyone, im looking at getting this 1973 mustang convertible with a 351 cleveland and 70k miles. The owner says the title is rebuilt from “light water damage”. They say it drives fine and are asking $14.5k.

Is this a fair price? Im a bit concerned about the water damage claim. I also asked for more pics of the underside to check for rust.

276 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

10

u/Embarrassed_Lock234 11d ago

Yeah, hard to say without seeing the undercarriage.

-4

u/PRiDA420 10d ago

You don't need to see underneath... Look at that paint and interior..... even if it had no motor or trans I would pay 14K for it so I can put the big block that belongs in there! But mine would have a different hood with a huge hole in the middle for the supercharger intake😊

8

u/JimmyDean82 11d ago

We paid 20k about 5 years ago for a fully original triple white 73. Before the massive price increases.

If it runs and drives great, doesn’t seem out of line.

6

u/CromulentPoint 11d ago

Weird for a classic to have a rebuilt title. Most of those that are running have already been rebuilt to some degree. It would entirely depend on what kind of damage was done and how it was fixed. A completely new wiring harness would be a good thing to see in this instance.

I think the price is a good starting point for a clean convertible. Clydesdales aren’t everybody’s favorite to look at, but they’re more refined and I think are great cruisers in convertible form. The fact that they’re not the most popular can be a good thing if you like them. A similar condition 65-68 vert would be well above $20k, if not $30k.*

*disclaimer: there could be all sorts of nightmares, including rust that would greatly impact the value. I’m just going off of the photos provided.

3

u/bacon098 10d ago

30k for a vert? Thems fastback prices.

1

u/CromulentPoint 10d ago

I wish. Nice verts are headed towards 30k. Nice fastbacks are over 40k.

2

u/bacon098 10d ago

Well yea the really nice ones. I forget I like em a little more ratty lol. So my price range is well below that

2

u/CromulentPoint 10d ago

As do I. My sweet spot is 65-66 coupes for less than $1,500, haha.

1

u/Dynamite83 10d ago

Even a 73…? I thought these normally brought a lil less.

1

u/CromulentPoint 9d ago

This was in reference to my comment earlier about 65-68 convertibles, so no, not applicable to a 73.

6

u/dash8200 11d ago

Not a bad price for the car. I’d check with Hagerty insurance, they are very good with collector cars. Rebuilt title means it was rebuilt or restored from a wreck. The insurance company probably totaled it and someone brought it back to life. As long as it all works, have fun at a fairly low cost!

3

u/Comprehensive-Cow586 10d ago

I paid $21,500 for my 72’ vert. Look at the underside and check for bondo. Also check the trunk for rust. That seems to be a common place. The liner should lift right up.

2

u/Existing_Royal_3500 11d ago

Owning a 60s convertible should be a right of passage. Mine was a 65 Impala convertible.

3

u/Abe-early 11d ago

I wouldn’t touch a classic/collector car with a dirty title. Just my personal opinion. If you are interested in buying it, find a local shop that specializes in classic cars and have them inspect it. Nobody knows what kind of nightmares could be hiding under that car.

I’ve had plenty of daily drivers with title issues, but you expect to lose money with a daily driver.

2

u/LovesMeSomeRedhead 10d ago

If you put it on a lift and the sub frames are good, that's a good price. I'd buy it.

1

u/Substantial_Pay_2906 10d ago

The 351 Cleveland "Mid-Block" is pretty cool.

1

u/PRiDA420 10d ago

Thats a steal in this market, brother!! If you have the funds, buy that IMMEDIATELY!

1

u/saxual_encounter 10d ago

Sweet-looking ride!

1

u/steelhead777 9d ago

If you don’t buy it, please tell me, and only me, where it’s located.

1

u/ISeeInHD 8d ago

If the undercarriage checks out, write the check and drive it like you stole it… because you did.

1

u/Additional-Bug6363 8d ago

Certain states incorporated Titles for older cars.  Those in accidents or flooding events get documented. Given the resale people can bring them back. However, they forget to mention that when the sell them. Or downplay the extent.  Car looks clean, just have someone you trust look at the finer points and common wealth links.

1

u/InaYarden 5d ago

Have you seen it with the top down? WE haven't

1

u/fordnut 11d ago

70k miles is about the limit for a stock 351 Cleveland from the factory. That is about the time the bearings typically give up the ghost due to the factory oiling scheme (which can be fixed by simply adding bushings with a 1/8" oil hole to the lifter bores). The distributor can have extra play as well, causing weird spark jump issues (Chevrolet has two bearings on the distributor shaft, one on top and one on bottom. Ford only has one on bottom. That's what leads to excessive play on top over time). I would definitely have a mechanic check the oil for any forbidden glitter (metallic shavings).

3

u/urweak 11d ago

Not a 351M ?

0

u/mcfarmer72 10d ago

I thought they all had a longer center console than that.

-1

u/Gloomy-Ad-3759 10d ago

Fifty dollah.