If you are a muscle car enthusiast, you probably know that around the mid-1970s, things went really bad for those of us looking for big power and performance. The oil crisis meant gas was expensive and American carmakers were forced to take their big V-8s and neuter them. The 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is one of the cars that got the worst of it. Despite having a 351 Cleveland under the hood, the most powerful version of the 1973 Mustang Mach 1 made 285 horsepower. But that doesn’t mean this 1973 example should be overlooked, especially when it has been fully restored and is currently listed for a reasonable price.

[This means a whopping 164 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 276 pound-feet (374 Nm) at 2,000 RPM from the 5.8-liter V-8 with 8.6:1 compression ratio According to the listing, the car has been in restoration since 1994 and the project was finished over the last winter by the current seller who purchased it last year. The car currently resides in LaValle, Wisconsin and comes with a clean title. There are also images as partial proof of the full restoration the car had underwent.

Being a 1970s Mustang, this isn’t the most desirable version of the Pony car. For 1973 the Ford Mustang Mach 1 was offered in three different forms: the base Mach 1, Mach 1 CJ, and Mach 1 HO (high output). Since it isn’t specified which of the three versions this one is, we have to assume it is the base one. Of course, the same engine could easily make 330 horsepower from the factory. Cars like the De Tomaso Pantera are a prime example of that.}. All that is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic.

Being one of the least desirable first-generation Mustangs, the price is still fairly reasonable at “$27,500 OBO.” The parts needed for that power output are available so the neutered Mustang can, just as easily, become as fast as it looks. Just make sure you keep the original parts as they keep the value up. Otherwise, the 1973 Mustang Mach 1 is a comfortable cruiser that looks the part and has potential to perform much better (with the right parts installed).

Being one of the least desirable first-generation Mustangs, the price is still fairly reasonable at “$27,500 OBO.” And let’s face it, nowadays, you can’t really get an American V-8 from the showroom like you used to, so this is one of the few reasonably-priced options out there if you are looking for an attainable American classic. It may lack the power as it is, but at least it will save you the trouble of cringing while saying you bought a Mustang EcoBoost for the same price.