Depending on your view, the 1971 Mustang is either iconic or one of those huge misses that some would like to forget. Either way, it's hard to ignore this 429 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1.

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Depending on your view, the 1971 Mustang is either iconic or one of those huge misses that some would like to forget.

At the time, the design was intended to appeal to more mature Mustang buyers with families. It was a drastic departure from previous models, with a long hood and odd roofline extending down into the decklid.

It was definitely a Mustang that required certain taste from a buyer. And to date, it remains one of the oddest designs in the 50 years of the Ford pony car.

However, regardless of what you think about the car, there’s no questioning the fact that it is an important part of Mustang’s history. And when it’s one like the 429 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1 featured in the Muscle Car of the Week video below, it’s hard to ignore the appeal.

That said, we’re not necessarily saying that the video (hosted by the ever-informed Kevin Oeste) will change your opinion of the car, if you aren’t a fan of the car already.

 

Ford's decision to build a bigger Mustang was a marketing-driven decision. But so are most such decisions in the business, so I cannot fault them for that.

I know these 71-73 bodies are not as popular amongst Mustang fans, but I have no objection to them. I look at it this way; some folks tend to think the Mustang II design was one of the weakest cars in the Mustang lineage, with the 71-73 models being the second-weakest.

But if it wasn't for the 71-73 cars and the 74-78 cars, we would have never made it to the Fox body '79 (with a thrilling 157hp V8).

If it wasn't for these cars, the Mustang nameplate could have faded away into motor history, not to be seen again. And we wouldn't be enjoying the Mustangs we have today.

 

'71 Mustang? I thought that was the new Camaro!

 

These cars are not as big as some people seem to think:

 

Wow, that shot kinda puts it in perspective...

Did not realize how big the S197 are or how small the 71-73 are.

 

 

S197 Mustang
Wheelbase: 107.1 in (2,720 mm)
Length: 187.6 in (4,770 mm)
Width: 73.8 in (1,870 mm)
Height: 54.5 in (1,380 mm)
Curb weight:
V8 coupe MT/AT: 3,480 lb/3,525 lb
V8 convertible MT/AT: 3,610 lb/3,655 lb
GT500 coupe: 3,950 lb
GT500 convertible: 4,040 lb


1973 Mustang
Wheel Base: 109"
Length: 193.8"
Width: 74.1"
Height: 50.1"
Weight: 3560 lbs. (351CJ)

 

The 1973 V8 is six inches longer than the S197 but that was partially because of the new "five mile per hour" bumper they added that year which added about four inches.
The previous two years of the same body style the length was 189.51" -only less that two inches longer than the S197.
The other dimensions are actually smaller and the weight eighty pounds heavier that the base V8 S197. With the smaller V8 (302) the '73 weighs less than the base V8 S197.

In short, the 1,2,3's my be the longest by a bit but it is certainly not the biggest.

 

Just Stumbled on this Old Post!

Post 5 Blew My Mind!

Mgb,

KC

 

Yup, me too. I always thought 71-73 were very large, not so much.

Here is our S197s vs the other early models as well...

 

Great Perspective Shots!

Mgb,

KC

 

From a visual point of view, the 71-73 models only appear to look much larger over the S197 models, but when placed together, side by side, is when the size differences between them fully reveal themselves as being nearly identical... For myself personally, I would have much preferred if Ford had retained the overall size dimensions of the previous SN-95/New Edge generation when they designed the S197 models, but I can certainly understand that due to meeting updated safety regulation requirements, along with advancements in safety component technology that Ford had no other option, but to increase the overall size for the S197 design platform...