Shelby American Automobile Club and Clearing Up Some Misinformation - Pony Tales

Netstang
http://mysticcobra.net
If you like the way those '96 Mystic Cobras change colors like a chameleon when viewed from different angles, you'll want to know everything "mystique" about these cool Mustangs. What better place than a Web site that's exclusively dedicated to the Mystic Cobra, http://mysticcobra.net. This informative site has a detailed explanation of what the Mystic paint is and links to the BASF (manufacturer of the Mystic paint) Web site. The site even has frequently asked questions about the Mystic Cobra, Mystic Cobras for sale (including a link to ebay.com), Mystic touch-up paint availability, a Mystic Cobra registry, and cool photos of Mystic Cobras. It's a site worth checking out, just to look at the photos alone.

No. 1 For '71-'73 Yields A Few New Surprises-Fifth In A Multipart Series
For months now, we've been telling you about 100001 from each model year beginning with 1967. Thanks to Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works and Ford Motor Company's longtime support and help toward Kevin's efforts, we now know a lot of information about '67-'73 Mustang production than was never known.

This month, we're going to look at 100001 for 1971-'73. With the information Kevin has provided us, one thing is clear: Elgin Motors Ford in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, apparently had a lot of clout with Ford. All 100001 units from 1971-'72 were delivered north of the border to Elgin Motors. In 1971 when there were two Mustang plants online (Dearborn and Metuchen), both 100001 units went to the same dealer: Elgin Motors.

The year 1971 would result in an odd year for Mustang production. The folks at Ford would build Mustangs at Metuchen during the fall of '70, while they were ramping up to build the all-new Pinto at the East Coast plant. Mustang production ended in December 1970 at Metuchen, as a result. Dearborn would be the only Mustang assembly plant until 1974 when San Jose would come online again until 1982.

Ironically, 100001 for 1971 at Dearborn was a convertible planned for delivery to Elgin Motors Ford. It was equipped with the 351 2V engine, a white power top, an AM radio, power steering and disc brakes, a console, the Decor Group, and full wheel covers.

As you can see from the chart at right, there's nothing extraordinary about 1F03H100001. It's a garden-variety '71 Mustang convertible with 351 2V power. Does anyone know where this one is today?

When Dearborn was bucking 1F03H100001 for its 27-hour journey down the line, hundreds of miles away in northern New Jersey, the Metuchen plant was doing the same thing with 1T04H100101. You might be tempted to ask us about the typo, 100101, but it's not a typo. Mustang production at Metuchen didn't begin until 100101. The first 100 orders that year for Metuchen were identically equipped Yellow Pintos. And no wonder, the Pinto was a spirited sport/economy car at a time when America needed one most.

Metuchen's first '71 Mustang was a Grand hardtop that was also shipped to Elgin Motors Ford in Toronto. It was equipped with a brown vinyl top, power steering and disc brakes, an AM radio, a console, and tinted glass.

Dearborn was the only plant producing Mustangs in 1972. The first order for Dear-born that year was a Mach 1 scheduled for delivery to Elgin Motors Ford in Toronto. It was a nicely appointed Mach clad in Bright Lime with green interior. Elgin Motors ordered this one with a rear deck spoiler, power steering and disc brakes, an AM radio, a console, and the knitted vinyl Sports Interior.

We wrap up our series of 100001 cars with 3F02H100001, a 1973 Mustang convertible ordered by George Busby Ford in Nashville. This was a striking SportsRoof clad in Bright Red with black interior, power disc brakes, Deluxe bumper group, and an AM radio.

When you sum up 100001 from 1971-'73, it's certainly ironic how much these cars have in common. They're all 351 2V engines with FMX transmissions, all have vanilla 2.75:1 conventional axles, and none were generously appointed.