- Lifted 1973 Mustang gets 31-inch tires, rebuilt suspension, and safari gear.
- 351ci V8 adds Edelbrock upgrades, tubular headers, and MagnaFlow exhaust.
- Auction listing notes VIN issues but confirms a clean title and rebuild.
Classic Ford Mustangs have a way of wandering into every corner of car culture, and plenty of them end up living hard lives on drag strips or road courses.
There is always another story waiting to be told with these cars, which helps explain why this one catches you off guard the moment you see it. Off-roading rarely enters the Mustang conversation, which is why this particular example stands out.
Read: Nissan Z Warrior Trademark Hints At Off-Road Coupe
This lifted 1973 Mustang SportsRoof, shaped with a Safari theme in mind, is now up for auction and seems destined to surprise whoever takes it home. Originally, the seller refurbished it to mimic a Mach 1 after buying it in 2024. That goal only went so far before things took a wilder turn.
The Mustang now rides on a completely overhauled and lifted suspension that includes new shocks, control arms, ball joints, rear leaf springs, and U-bolts. The transformation continues with 31×10.5 Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires and Magnum 500-style wheels.
Bring A Trailer
The exterior features Medium Aqua paint, Mach 1 graphics, and some custom door lettering. LED headlights complement Hella driving lights, a roof rack, and a snorkel-esque Ram Air hood. That hood, by the way, just so happens to cover up a 351 cubic inch V8.
The auction and seller don’t mention output, but when new, this motor would’ve been good for at least 240 horsepower (178 kW). Notably, the engine benefits from an Edelbrock intake, tubular headers, an X-pipe, and MagnaFlow mufflers. It’s mated to a rebuilt three-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
The seller also rebuilt the power steering system, refreshed the braking setup, and overhauled the tie rods, pitman arms, and idler arms. That all said, it does seem to have some issues.
What Needs A Closer Look?
For one thing, the listing notes some VIN inconsistencies. One identification tag corresponds to a 302-equipped SportsRoof built in Dearborn, while the door data sticker shows a different serial. The title, however, lists the car as a 1973 Mustang Mach 1.
In addition, there are several spots both inside and outside that could use attention. Many of the panel gaps don’t match up well, the cabin has some loose wiring hanging out, and if you’re really going to drive this thing off-road, some skid plates under the chassis could save the day.
Even with those quirks, this is a very fun-looking Mustang – how it drives, though, may be up for discussion…
If nothing else, this thing proves the Mustang playbook is wide open. If you want to see how far someone pushed it, check out the listing here and decide whether you’re tempted or terrified.
