Description
The Ford Mustang SportsRoof 351 HO was one of the standout models of the early 1970s Mustang lineup, bringing together the sleek SportsRoof fastback body style with Ford’s high-output 351 cubic inch V8. Introduced in 1971, the 351 HO (High Output) engine was designed to bridge the gap between the base small-blocks and the more expensive big-block 429, offering buyers strong performance in a lighter, more agile package. It represented a key moment in the Mustang’s evolution, as the car grew larger and more aggressive in response to the muscle car boom.
The SportsRoof body style gave the Mustang one of its most dramatic and aggressive silhouettes. With its long hood, recessed grille, sweeping fastback roofline, and muscular haunches, the 1971–73 SportsRoof Mustangs looked more imposing than their predecessors. The 351 HO versions often featured functional Ram Air hoods, blacked-out treatments, bold side stripes, and Magnum 500 or styled steel wheels, emphasizing the car’s performance character. Optional rear window louvers, spoilers, and Mach 1-style trim packages further enhanced its menacing appearance.
Inside, the SportsRoof 351 HO combined practicality with performance touches. High-back bucket seats, a center console, and a driver-focused dash came standard, while buyers could add deluxe trim packages with wood-grain accents, sports instrumentation, and upgraded materials. Options such as air conditioning, power windows, and premium radios allowed the car to be configured as both a comfortable cruiser and a serious performance machine. The fold-down rear seat added versatility, a hallmark of the fastback body style.
The heart of the car was the 351 HO engine, based on the 351 Cleveland. Rated at 330 horsepower in 1971, it featured a four-barrel carburetor, high-compression pistons, a solid-lifter camshaft, and free-flowing heads, making it one of the strongest small-blocks Ford ever produced. Although advertised power ratings dropped in 1972 due to the switch to net horsepower measurements and lower compression ratios, the HO retained much of its performance potential. It was paired with a four-speed manual transmission as standard, with a heavy-duty clutch and close-ratio gearing, while a SelectShift automatic was optional. Performance rear axle ratios and a Traction-Lok differential further underscored its muscle car credentials.
On the road, the Mustang SportsRoof 351 HO delivered strong acceleration, capable of running the quarter mile in the mid-14-second range when properly equipped. Lighter and more responsive than big-block models, it offered a better balance of handling and straight-line performance. The Competition Suspension package, which included stiffer springs, heavy-duty shocks, and a thicker front sway bar, gave the car sharper control, while front disc brakes provided confident stopping power.
Positioned below the Mach 1 429 but above the base 302 and 351 models, the 351 HO SportsRoof appealed to buyers who wanted serious performance without the higher price, weight, or insurance costs of the largest engines. It was especially attractive to enthusiasts who valued the Cleveland’s high-revving nature and racing-derived cylinder heads.
Today, the Ford Mustang SportsRoof 351 HO is a prized classic from the early 1970s muscle car era. While overshadowed at the time by the bigger 429 Cobra Jet and Boss 351, collectors now recognize the 351 HO as one of the best-balanced performance options of its era. Its combination of sleek SportsRoof styling, high-revving V8 power, and relative rarity makes it a desirable car for enthusiasts who appreciate both the glamour and muscle of the classic Mustang lineage.