Buying a 71 Ford Mustang Mach 1 / Boss 351 for Oz

[TheChaser]

Aside from my hunt for XA & XB Ford coupes for restoration into Max replica's, coincidently to OpiateMFP, I am also searching for either a 1971 Mustang Mach 1, or a 1971 Mustang Boss 351.





I have been in love with this car (the Mach 1) ever since seeing it in the Bond movie 'Diamonds Are Forever'. As they are both more or less the same in looks, I would be happy with either. However I would like to get one of these ready to go and in good to excellent condition.





Being in Australia, presumably not so simple to find these either. Have been looking at many websites, happily there is one place based in Melbourne called "Just Mustangs" justmustangs.com.au who import and sell various models, presumably I could ask them for what I want to make it simple.





Wondering if anyone had dealings with this place? Also a question of whether to try and import myself, or go through a place like Just Mustangs.





The left hand drive factor is an obvious issue, I know people for that, but presently I just concentrate on getting the right car at the right price. With all these projects I am embarking on I will be broke if not too careful!





Again, if I sound like a relative novice, it's because I am. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[RickH]

For that car you're not required to convert it to RHD. Only if the car is under 30 years old. That is unless you really want to convert it.

[TheChaser]

I have seen the odd car in Melbourne from time to time left hand drive, and have a mate who has imported a couple of newer Chevy utes and had them converted. Didn't know about that rule, but it sounds good to me. Certainly rather leave as is.

[roadwarriormfp]

Chaser i live in far north Queensland....


And even here, i have spotted over different 30 mustangs in the past 12months.... and the local car shows always have at least 15 to 20 of the damn things!


Including several Mach 1s.... I even saw an orginal "elanor", though it had the bonnet scoops (XB style)... but the same colour scheme...


I dont know if there is a Mustang Register here in Australia... but there would be plenty of them here...

[RickH]

Yeah, All American Day here at Castle Hill had about 80 Mustangs (well it was sponsored by the Mustang Owners Club after all). There are plenty of them.

[OzHemi]

Yep, there are quite a few Mustangs in Oz now...I have shipped my fair share,lol..I just picked up a K code convertable '65, actually that I'll be loading up in a couple weeks. As mentioned they can stay LHD as well, a '71 will just need the seatbelts done, changed to amber turn signals and headlamps...along with a few hundred dollar certificate for it (forgot the name of it at the second) that's in Vic at least, .. ('69/70 is the cutoff for those things..69 and back you don't need to change anything)

[Scar2783]

The '71 351 Boss is going to be a tall order for a good price. In the lastest Hemmings Muscle Machines, one went for over $65,000 U.S. My cousin Charile has had one since '85 and it's a monster for a stock/factory car. It can eat up and spit many of those other Mustang varients but they've never been respected in the car community as most people don't care for the '71 thru '73 body style. It's my favorite and I bust on Charlie that he'd better will it to me ( he's 65 now ).





M

[TheChaser]

I have been reading that the 71 351 Boss variant, was overall the best combination for performance and handling, although the thought of the 429 Super Cobra Jet is mouthwatering. If the Boss goes for around $65,000, then the Super Cobra is even more expensive, apparently produced only 531 of these. I also read that total units for the 71 Boss was 1,806. I wonder how many of those are in Australia too?





Personally I can't imagine why as you say scar, people don't like this shape. I think its the meanest and best looking of all of them.





It seems however, the negative points about the model are that the seat is positioned very low, and coupled with the long bulging bonnet makes the drivers ability to view in front of car quite challenging. Which also adds to vision difficulties when performing a right turn.





Secondly, the 14 degree angle of the back makes rear vision something like "looking out of a gun slit". Scar, assuming you have driven your cousin Charlie's beast, how do you find it in those areas?





And to Ozhemi, you have actually shipped Mustangs to Australia before, the mods for the tali lights do not require any major work, do they?

[TheChaser]

btw roadwarrior, did you see any of the Boss 351 at the car show?

[Big Bopper Bart]

the 71-73 Stangs are my all time favs The Sam Auxier 71 drag Stang is my fav stang in the world .this one i lust after!