Jim Marohn's 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible in Mustang Monthly

Trail Blazer

Jim Marohn explores the Oregon Trail

in a ’73 Mustang convertible

text and images by Jim Smart

In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began a long expedition, along with 45 men, traveling from what is now Illinois to Oregon. President Thomas Jefferson spearheaded the dream and exploration, going to Congress for funding. Clark followed the Missouri and Columbia rivers mostly, trekking 3,700 miles on foot and horseback across what would later become 11 states. Today, it is known as the Oregon Trail.

Jim Marohn doesn’t have to ask Congress for funding or round up 45 buddies to explore the Oregon Trail. He gets right down to the business of exploration with his Bright Red ’73 Mustang convertible and its combination of styling, graphics, and power. We like the black-on-red theme, 15x7-inch Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in 235/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GT II radials, scooped NACA-inspired hood, chin spoiler, and white Comfortweave interior.

By the time 1973 rolled around, high-back bucket seats were standard equipment in all Mustangs in the interest of safety and good looks. Jim took the fourth generation Mustang’s wraparound interior and fitted it with a LeCarra steering wheel, deciding to stay away from other

car does what it was born for: cruising. It glides onto the interstate with ease and holds a solid 70 mph at 2,800 rpm. The FMX’s gearing provides the 351C with a distinct advantage coming out of the hole. Once on the freeway, it purrs. With the largest Mustang convertible ever, it’s easy for Jim to get lost in the experience, looking out over the long hood and glancing in the mirror at the short deck while listening to the rear of solid American V-8 power.

modifications because the car simply didn’t need them. A tastefully-adapted Pioneer sound system provides Jim with music Lewis and Clark could have only dreamed of 200 years ago. Jim infused some of his own hot-rodding logic into the 351 Cleveland with an Edelbrock Performer aluminum manifold and carburetor, aggressive flat-tappet hydraulic cam, Ford Motorsport cast-aluminum valve covers, and PerTronix ignition. What this means is real power from solid American iron: The Cleveland not only behaves like a big-block, it looks like one. In the tunnel is Borg-Warner’s FMX three speed automatic transmission and a 2.75:1 9-inch rearend. This