Seven years after the introduction of the original Mustang, Ford launched the forth and final face lifted version on the original 108″ wheel base chassis in 1971.

The model aimed originally at the youth market was now aimed at a far more affluent market that could afford to double the price of a basic model with sports packages.

By 1972 however, when today’s featured model was built things were beginning to radically change. As an oil crises drove up fuel prices, sales of performance orientated models with high end 275 hp Boss 351 motors plummeted to just 351 units.

With the increased perceived need for fuel conservation even the 140 hp 5 litre / 302 cui Windsor motor like the one above stood to be demonised as a gas guzzler against national interests.

While performance was “out” safety was rapidly becoming the new “in”, the ’72 Mustang was the first to be fitted with a “Fasten Seat Belt” warning lamp on the dash panel.

This particular ’72 model seen at Summer Classics in Easter Compton, fitted with a Mach 1 honeycomb sport lamp grill option was imported into the UK in May 2000.

1972 saw Mustang sales dip below 130,000 for the first time since the models launch in 1964 to just 125,903, the forth face lifted Mustang continued to be built with minor revisions into 1973 when sales slightly picked up.

Thanks for joining me on this “Fasten Safety Belts” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow . Don’t forget to come back now !