The 1972 Mustang

The 1972 Mustang styling remained relatively unchanged by Ford for its second year of the three year model run. Five versions of the pony car were available.

As with the 1971 models, Ford offered the coupe, which was called the hardtop, the Grande, convertible and the Mach 1.

While the standard coupes and Grande cars featured chrome wrap-around trim at the leading edge of the hood and on down along the edges of the matte gray headlight buckets,the 1972 Mach 1's trim was color keyed to match the paint.

The one exception to that rule, was if you ordered your Mustang with the


















optional Decor Group, which like a Mach l, included a color matching front bumper.

Some may disagree with me, but I still like the look of those Mach 1 Mustangs.

I also think that the best part of the 1972 model, wasn't for me, the 1972 car. It was watching the famous up on two wheels 1971 Mach 1 Vegas chase scene, with Pussy Galore screaming in the James Bond film, Diamonds are Forever.



















Engine:

Government regulations changed the way that horsepower was rated, with the higher gross horsepower changed to the new net horsepower, the result in posted output made it appear that the 1972 engine performance was lower than the previous year.



The new net horsepower resulted in the 250 cubic inch I6 motor with 98 hp, the 302 V8, rated output, dropping from 210 gross horsepower to a sad sounding 140 net horsepower.

The 351 V8, 2 barrel motor now was listed at 177 hp, while the 351 cubic inch Cobra Jet specs dropped to 266 horsepower. The other 351 V8 option, called the H.O. or high output, was a low compression motor with only 275 horsepower.

The 1972 Mustang was also missing the big 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet ( CJ ) and Super Cobra Jet ( SCJ ). More government regulations,including tighter emission controls and higher insurance costs spelled the end to the Mustang big block.

Exterior Styling:

Like the 1971 car, the 72 Mustang in standard form kept the small chrome front bumper,while the 1972 Mustang Mach 1 had its body color urethane "rubber" bumper.

Both the Boss 351 and Boss 429 options were dropped and the 1972 Mach 1 remained the only performance Mustang.

Ford brought back the horse and corral on the front grille for the standard and Grande cars, with the horse and 2 color bars for the Mach 1, which also featured horizontal rectangular running lights in the grille.

The distinctive front chin spoiler stayed at the front of the Mach 1, as did the rear wing.
















The Mach sported it's distinctive honeycomb panel between the tail lights along with a cool looking chrome gas cap cover.

The standard and Grande cars had chrome wrap-around trim at the leading edge of the hood and on down along the edges of the matte gray headlight buckets,while the Mach 1 trim was color keyed to the paint.

I may be in the minority, but I still like the look of those Mach 1 Mustangs. But I also think that the best part of 1972, wasn't the 1972 car, it was seeing the famous up on two wheels 1971 Mach 1 Vegas chase scene, from Diamonds are Forever, the James Bond film.

Mustang Sprint Edition

During the 1972 Mustang model year, Ford put together a special edition assortment of cars, celebrating the USA Olympic team, in America's favorite colors - Red, White and Blue.

Along with it's siblings, the Ford Pinto and Maverick, the Mustang Sprint were all white bodied cars, with some really nice looking red trimmed blue racing stripes, mixed with a matching lower rocker stripe and rear quarter panel affixed USA shield decal.

Mustang Interior Choices and Changes

As with the 1971 models, a standard or optional deluxe interior was available on all but the Grande or Mach l models.

1972 Ford Mustang Grande Restoration

We just got in some new restoration in progress pics from Australia on a nice looking yellow 1972 Ford Mustang Grande. It's looking good! And there's a lot of Ford Mustang enthusiasts out there showing up at events.

How about a picture of yours?


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