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1970 Mustang Fastback For $5k

I’m torn, as much as I love the ’69 and ’70 Mustang Fastback, I’m having a tough time justifying their asking price. You see, while $5k seems reasonable for a Fastback project, this thing has some rust issues. The fact that’s it’s being offered by a Mustang specialty shop just makes me that much more nervous, if the people you pay to restore your Mustang hasn’t already restored it, there must be something wrong. I can speculate all day long, but I’ll just let you have a look for yourself. Find this rusty Pony here on eBay in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

At first glance from a distance, it actually doesn’t look that bad, but once you get up close and start studying it more closely things start to get kind of scary. Open the hood, either of the doors, or the the trunk and it only gets worse! I can’t find a structural component that doesn’t have rust. It’s really too bad considering it’s a 3 speed 302 car!

I think I actually know what will happen with this Mustang. The next owner will have the engine, transmission and possibly a few other components restored. Once that’s done, they will buy a shiny new body from Dynacorn, drop the drive train in from this one and slap the old VIN plate on it. I know some people frown upon such behavior, but I really don’t see any other realistic option for this Mustang. By the time you’ve replaced all the rusty sheet metal, you’re going to have a brand new body anyways, so why not cut out all the headaches and just buy a rust free shell? It might not seem cost effective, but it might actually be cheaper in the long run.

So what do you think the future looks like for this Mustang? Is it worth $5k, is it a lost cause or is there still hope for it?

Comments

  1. Avatar photo 68 custom

    actually a base V8 / 3 speed car so no I do not think such a rusty, worn out example is worth that much, willing to bet the body is just to far gone. shame with it being a fast back and all.maybe if it was a 302 4 barrel 4 speed option but not this one…

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  2. Avatar photo Bill

    I think the fact a resto shop is unloading this car should tell you everything you need to know.

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  3. Avatar photo Heath

    Probably end up being a coupe to Fastback conversion then other parts like the clutch pedal set up and headlight doors and such will be sold off

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  4. Avatar photo Gunner

    The biggest asset this car has is that it is a Fastback. It is worth 5k? Maybe, maybe not. It doesn’t help it any that it has sat in a high humidity state for over 30 yrs. At least it was in a barn. If I was a bidder, I would need to look the car over for the rust issues and determine if it is salvageable, and the body could be saved. I believe that in 5-10 years (or less), the general opinion would be to save this car based on desirability, even if it is a base model fastback. These cars used to be everywhere, and most of us didn’t think twice about it. Will you still be of the same opinion on this car a few years from now, whatever that may be?

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    • Avatar photo JP

      To get $5K, in my opinion, it would have to be in full running condition which I’m guessing it’s not. The upside of Mustangs is that there are a lot of them and no point in restoring something like this. Time to part it out.

      I just looked at a full-running condition ’70 Mach one that seemed like a bargain at $15K but had rust in several spots so I quickly passed.

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  5. Avatar photo JamestownMike

    All the lower portions of this car are pretty wet and rusty! I agree, if it was a 4 bbl, 4 speed, hi option GT car, it would be a different deal.

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  6. Avatar photo JW

    From my experience with our Mach1 NO it’s not worth messing with no matter the body style, if it was a Mach1 or Boss maybe but not this one. Ours was in better shape than this by far and we still replaced half the sheet metal and paint which we got a deal at 15K from a friend of a friend. I would definitely pass, parts car IMHO.

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  7. Avatar photo Alfie

    It is the exact type of car someone should restore – the everyday car. Everyone wanted a GT, 428, 4 speed, whatever, but never the more realistic cars like the everyday base I-6/V-8 Mustangs/Camaros.

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  8. Avatar photo Pappy2d

    Reminds me of an old Chi-Lites song.
    She’s Gone.

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  9. Avatar photo Jumping g

    Notice the vent in the door jamb is off . The tin worms are having a feast from the ground up.I would pass.good parts car …

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  10. Avatar photo Jeffro

    On the bright side…I do see a rubber grommet that is rust free. I’m always looking for the positive!

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  11. Avatar photo JW454

    Find a nice coupe and use this one to convert it to a fastback. I normally wouldn’t say that but, in this case, there is just too much metal work needed.
    Rust is just a crime sometimes.

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  12. Avatar photo Rustytech

    Restoration shop gave the owner an estimate, he promptly had a heart attack, now they gotta find a way to get rid of it. I don’t even want to know what that estimate was!

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  13. Avatar photo G 1

    Had same car but with 351. Bought it to replace a worn out 69 Charger in 76.
    Sold Mustang, kept Charger.

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  14. Avatar photo Al D

    My first car was one of these and I loved it. Sad to say it would be tough to justify the investment in this car vs. the value when done, even if you could do it all yourself.

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  15. Avatar photo Nova Scotian

    … just go buy a modern mustang for all the headache this will bring. I must be gettin old….

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  16. Avatar photo terry

    Moistang.

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  17. Avatar photo Blueovaldude

    WAY too far gone for the asking price. Just another example of someone seeing if there’s a sucker out there. $1800.00 tops. Parts car.

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  18. Avatar photo Melvin Burwell

    These people are nuts, asking way too much money for garbage cars lately.

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  19. Avatar photo Tom

    As much as I love Mach 1 Mustangs , shes way too far gone and way over priced . I bought this 72 Mach 1 four years ago for $6500.00 I had just loaded it and was getting ready to head back to South Dakota , stil have it, never regretted buying it .

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  20. Avatar photo jb fish

    ANY part can be bought for this car. Get it runnin’ new seats, give the motor some mods and run it down the road AS IS and enjoy. After all its still fastback. OR you can work on it in your garage 8 years, gloss finish the sides and be afraid to enjoy the fruits of you labor.
    Have fun. Pony up! JB

    Like 0

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