1972 Ford Mustang

Description

After a major restyling in 1971, 1972 Mustangs remained largely unchanged. Mustangs were again made in convertible, coupe (notch-back), or sportsroof form.

At the rear, "Mustang" was now written script form and mounted on the right side of the trunk lid.

The fuel filler cap on the Mach 1 was changed from a pop-open design to a screw-on design (though owners often install the pop-open cap). The front bumper on Mach 1s is supposed to be body-colored, though many 1972 Mach 1s now have chrome bumpers.

Engines were now rated in SAE net horsepower instead of the old gross horsepower, so all engines had less reported power.

The Boss 351 and the 429 engines were no longer available, but the 351 HO and the 351 Cobra Jet engines were introduced. The 351 Cleveland HO engine was rated at 275 horsepower, while the 351 Cobra Jet was rated at 266 hp. A 351 2-bbl was also available with 177 hp.

1972 Mustang Key Differences

1971 and 1972 Mustangs shared the same horizontal front signal lights set into the grill. 1972 regular Mustangs had "Mustang" written in script form on the deck lid, while 1971 regular Mustangs had "Mustang" spelled out across the deck lid in separate chrome letters. Mach 1s no longer had the pop-open gas cap, but owners often installed this style cap later.

Similar Years

1971 to 1973 Mustangs had the same body style. 1973 Mustangs had a different grill and front bumper, but 1971 and 1972 Mustangs are harder to differentiate.

How to Identify a 1972 Mustang

Overview

• Fourth version (1971 - 1973) of the First Generation Mustang (1965-1973)
• SportsRoof body style shown
• The 1972 Mustang was made in coupe, convertible, and SportsRoof styles (1965-1973)

1972 Mustang Grill

• The grill was unchanged for 1972, and had the same headlights and horizontal signal lights as last year (1971 - 1972)

1972 Mustang Grill Emblem

• A small horse emblem mounted on three vertical bars was used on the Mach 1 (1971 - 1973)
• The Mach 1's grill had a honeycomb pattern (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Signal Light

• The horizontal signal lights set in the grill remain unchanged (1971 - 1972)

1972 Mustang Trunk Emblem

• Regular Mustangs had a "Mustang" emblem written in script letters mounted on the right side of the trunk lid (1972-1973)

1972 Mustang Mach 1 Trunk Decal

• Mach 1s had a "Mach 1" decal positioned in the center of the trunk lid (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Fender Badge

• Mounted on the front fenders, regular Mustangs had a chrome "Mustang" badge written in script letters (1971 - 1973) (1971 version shown)

1972 Mustang Mach 1 Emblem

• Mach 1 Mustangs had a "Mach 1" decal on the front fenders in place of the "Mustang" script (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Mach 1 Gas Cap

• The gas cap on the Mach 1 was no longer a pop-open design from the factory (1972-1973)
• Some sources say early 1972 Mach 1s did have the pop-open gas cap
• Also, owners often put reproduction pop-open gas caps on these cars
• The rear panel had a honeycomb design on Mach 1s (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Mach 1 Hood

• The Mach 1 hood continued without change for 1972 (1971 - 1973)
• Non-standard hood stripe shown

1972 Mustang Side Stripe

• The Mach 1 side stripe was the same as in 1972 and came in black or silver (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Tail light

• The tail lights carried over from last year (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Chin Spoiler

• The front chin spoiler was available as an option (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Rear Spoiler

• The rear deck lid spoiler was also optional (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Rear Window Louvers

• On SportsRoof Mustangs, rear window louvers were available (1971 - 1973)

1972 Mustang Dash

• The dash carried over without change from 1971 (1971 - 1973)
• Non standard steering wheel shown

More 1972 Mustang Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1972 Mustangs, visit the First Generation Mustang Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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