1972 Ford Mustang Cherry Blossom Olympic Sprint

1972 Mustang Sprint Convertible (Cherry Blossom Olympic Sprint)

https://youtu.be/26bK-_ZhAo4

Ford enthusiasts know that the 1972 Sprint package was offered on hardtop and Sportsroof Mustangs, which might lead to some question as to why this convertible is decked out in the distinctive red, white and blue Sprint colors. There’s a simple answer; it is one of just 50 convertibles ordered for the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C., in April of that year. 50 identical Cherry Blosson Olympic Sprint Convertibles were produced in March 1972 at the Dearborn, Michigan Plant. Soon after production the cars were trucked to Washington, DC to be part of the annual Cherry Blossom Parade. These convertibles were “50 of a kind” except for the sequential VIN numbers that ranged from 2F03f182456 to 2F03F184305.

The original 50 cars in this specific livery configuration were not part of the original Ford Production plans for 1972. In fact the Washington DC area ford dealers petitioned Ford to provide a special Mustan convertible to be used for the Cherry Blossom Festival in which a representative “princess” from each of the 50 states would be a rider in the parade. According to Rex Turner, in his book CHERRY BLOSSOM OLYMPIC SPRINT MUSTANGS – A history of Fifty 1972 Ford Convertibles, the Washington, DC Jaycees and the Cherry Blossom parade committee urged Ford to provide these beautiful cars. After the cars were distributed to Washington area Ford Deales and sold to the public for the sticker price of $3,7272.22 (a clever price with the repeating “72” honoring the vehicles), with many dealers adding bonus costs because of the uniqueness of the car.

This Cherry Blossom Olympic Sprint Mustang Convertible 2F03F184303 has been totally restored and is without a doubt the Most Highly Restored One in Existence!

This of course includes a Marit Report for Authentication that comes with the car which confirms its one-of-50 provenance but also documents its original factory equipment.

The Mustang was born with a 302 CI V-8 (which, in 1972, had a net rating of 140 HP and 239 lb-ft of torque) and a SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. Power steering, power front disc brakes and E70-14 Wide Oval tires were also on the order sheet. Interior amenities, like the power convertible top with glass rear window, high-back bucket seats, knitted vinyl seat trim and Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel, were standard equipment. The only interior option on the form was an AM radio.

The patriotic Sprint package, which added $169.62 to the Mustang’s $3,844.70 MSRP, consisted of: Wimbledon White paint; blue stripes with red pinstripes on the hood, rocker panels and tail; the Exterior Décor Group, which included a blacked-out honeycomb grille with integral driving lights, color-keyed front bumper, and hood and fender moldings; color-keyed rearview mirrors; and American flag decals on the rear fenders. The graphics scheme carried over into red, white and blue upholstery as well.

This 1972 Mustang is a perfectly restored example back to exacting detail in every respect as to how it originally rolled off the assembly line with every single detail in place from the specific markings of the components with their color code keys to every inspection tag sticker in place. It was a complete tear down frame up Rotisserie restoration performed with the highest of standards by several Gold Level Mustang Club of America Judges and consultation with many additional Mustang Restoration experts along the process.

It is being sold with a wealth of documentation as well as a detailed Photo History of its Extensive Meticulous Restoration whereas every single nut, bolt, Clamp and fastener has been replaced with a proper OEM one or refurbished in cases where they were not available as well as every aspect of the Frame, Suspension, Mechanicals and a complete tear down and rebuild of the Engine and Transmission and finally every Inspection paint marking and Inspection sticker and accompanying piece of documentation it would have left the assembly line with is present on this vehicle right down to the visor slip on , the warranty booklets and even the Owner Identification Warranty Card!

Why is this Mustang so Rare? Let’s look at the numbers. In 1972 only 50 identical Mustang Sprint Convertible Cherry Blossom Olympic Sprint Convertibles were produced. According to detailed research of the original 50 produced only 35 are known to still exist and only One other (sold at Mecum back in May of 2021 for $71,500 which would be a total of $78,650 after auction fees) has been ground up restored – however that one had some incorrect equipment with an improper radio, improper wheels and tires and so on. So in comparison it was not restored to the exacting level of detail to this one especially in regards to the Engine compartment and the undercarriage which on this one are 100% Factory correct right down to the inspection tags and proper levels of red oxide overspray on the undercarriage.

How detaling was this restoration? One example of the efforts taken. All 1972 Sprints were fitted with unique white and blue upholstery, the blue being sewn into the center of the seat. Yet the 50 convertibles used different blue upholstery than the 9,000-plus hardtops and SportsRoofs. According to Turner (Motor Trend Reporter who interview Bill about the Resgtoration),he latter used a blue Lambeth cloth in the center, while the convertibles used a blue Comfortweave vinyl material. It’s only speculation, but Turner opines that it would seem logical this might have been done with the expectation that convertibles would be exposed to more weather, and thus the Comfortweave was likely deemed more durable. Regardless, Bill was able to find the correct blue material, and then had John’s Auto Toggery in Mount Vernon, Washington, custom stitch it all together.

The exhaustive research conducted by many Mustang Aficionados and enthusiasts worldwide have resulted in 35 of the vehicles having been located, two of the cars located in Sweden, and cars located in Denmark and Norway. The Remaining 15 are destroyed or lost.

Th restoration began in 2012 and was not completed until 2017, 5 years of Research and Detail at Restoration performed by its owner Bill Johnson a Renown Mustang Expert, Mustang Club of America President, MCA Gold Member Judge and his Colleague Dick Knight also a Mustang Club President, MCA Gold Judge members. Bill has a long track record of owning and restoring many Gold-winning Mustangs and has long been considered to be a top expert in the “Wide Body” models form 71-74 having also restored a number of other models in that genre including a Boss 351 and many of the vehicles he has restored have been featured in National publications like Mustang Monthly and Fast Fords and this one is no exception.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Olympic Sprint Edition
• 1 of 50 produced for the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington D.C. in April of 1972
• Comprehensive restoration
  • Unparalled No Expense Spared 5 year project by Top Industry Experts with detailed photos and expense documentation
• 302 CI V-8 engine
• Automatic transmission
• Special Red, White and Blue finish
• USA shields on rear fenders
• Air conditioning
• Power brakes
• Pushbutton AM/FM stereo
• Original window sricker, owners manual, Marti Report,  consumer literature and more
• Original Warranty plate card
• Owners manual