If this 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is all the seller claims, it is an extraordinary classic. It features the desirable 428 Cobra Jet V8 under the hood, and its presentation is extremely impressive. However, the seller states that it is a true survivor and that the 17,438 miles on its odometer are genuine. If those facts are verifiable, their price is easily justified. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Mach 1 listed here on Craigslist in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The seller set their price for this amazing car at $125,000, which I believe is in Canadian dollars. If so, that translates to approximately US$90,600.
This Mach 1 is a classic that raises as many questions as it answers. The seller states they believe it was purchased from the original owner, although they don’t seem sure. That initially raises alarm bells, and, given the price, I would probably do some detective work before committing my cash to the purchase. After all, it is a lot of money, and it is worth the effort to ensure everything checks out. Beyond that, there is little to criticize about this Mustang’s appearance. The Medium Bright Blue paint, which the seller states was applied at the factory, shines nicely, with no major issues or shortcomings. The Black stripes are equally impressive, while the panels and underside are rust-free. The car appears to have factory Sport Slats on the rear window, but only the seller’s Marti Report will confirm whether the first owner ordered the car with the Magnum 500 wheels. The glass is clear, and the trim is in good order.
This Mach 1 means business. The first owner didn’t pull any punches, teaming the potent 428 Cobra Jet V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission, a 3.00 Traction-Lok rear end, power steering, and power brakes. The Cobra Jet is a beast, with Ford’s Mach 1 Sales Brochure quoting a power output of 335hp. That means that cars like this Mach 1 successfully blur the line between pony and muscle cars due to their performance potential. We’ve reached the point in this story where there are many questions. I wish the seller had provided evidence verifying the mileage, but they appear to rely on a mechanic’s opinion after thoroughly inspecting the vehicle. That isn’t enough in my book, especially considering the premium asking price. However, there are no fluid leaks or other problems with a classic that is a turnkey proposition.
This Mach 1 is consistent, with its interior presentation as impressive as the exterior. Trimmed in Blue vinyl, there is no apparent wear or evidence of abuse. The dash is spotless, and the faux woodgrain is excellent. The overall presentation is almost beyond criticism, although I am disappointed that someone swapped out the factory radio for a retro-style stereo. Originality is always crucial if sellers expect to achieve success with any classic priced at the top end of the market. Otherwise, the buyer will receive a rimblow wheel and a factory tachometer and trip meter.
Without sighting documentary evidence, we must take the seller’s claims at face value. However, if this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 is all they state it is, it is a pretty special vehicle. That would justify their asking price, which is at the top end of the market. Paperwork is key; without it, the Mustang’s value would be considerably lower. If everything checks out and this Mach 1 is all that is claimed, do you think the seller’s price is fair?
A very clean Stang!
It’s a sweet color and BB!
I’d want more verification on the mileage, too. I dont think I’d worry too much about the radio if the used a retro style replacement, didn’t do any cutting, and especially if they still have the old radio.
A lot of money, but given the condition and the motor, probably worth it.
I would need to see the Marti report and at least some kind of documentation on the mileage. A real mustang expert inspection would also be in order for this kind of money. In 1985 I was 31 ( I’m 71 now, Yikes!) and stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California and I had just sold my 71 LT-1 Corvette and was looking for a Mach1 or Boss 302 for something different. I called a Mustang restoration and parts business in Sacramento, California, and asked them if they knew of any cars for sale. The owner of the store gave me the phone number for a guy who had a cobra jet Mach 1 So I gave him a call. He told me that his mom had bought the car new for him when he turned 16 in the SF Bay Area when he was in high school. When he graduated, he went to college in the east and didn’t want to take the car with him so he left it at his mom’s. After graduation, he remained in the east for work and did not bring the car out. He was now back living in Northern California And wanted to sell the car. I went to look at it and it was an Acapulco blue four speed cobra jet with two options, an AM radio and power front disc brakes. The beauty of the car was that it only had 16,000 original miles and the only modification was a hurst shifter. I bought the car for $6000 which was a lot of money for it in 1985. I really Loved the car, but didn’t want to put too many miles on it so I sold it 2 years later for $8000 and thought I was really making a killing on it. It was a beast to drive with no PS and the rim blow wheel made for a little unintended horn honking when parking. Wish I knew where it was now. This car is a beauty but I think the Acapulco blue was very pretty.
Starting in the 1970 model year Ford installed Hurst shifters at the factory.
This color is good but, Acapulco Blue is also a great color for this year Mustang. I bought a 69 Mustang Grande a few years ago and it was primed and ready for paint and Acapulco Blue is the color I repainted it. It only had a 351 but was scary fast. So much so, I sold it a few years later. I can only imagine what this 428 is like.
This has always been my dream car, aside from not having a 4 speed, but like many things by the time you get enough money together, the price goes up. Makes me wonder if I should just build something close to it… Nice find.
One of my top 5 cars in great colors. A guy in high school had a 69 Mach 1 CJ 4speed, Yellow/ black. Also had a guy who was a buddy with a 70 Mach 1, same blue/ black 351 4speed.
Out of all the guys/ cars I knew in high school 73-76, I know of only 1 that had the foresight to hang on to his 69Z. I sure wish I still had my 67SS Camaro I rolled or my 70 SS Chevelle! I’ll let my kids figure out if they want to keep my current cars and trucks when I can no longer drive.
WOW! That is a very clean car. I usually find stuff to complain about, but I’m at a loss on this car. $91k is a lot of money, but this car, in this condition is worth it. My son had a 1969 Mustang convertible, we bought from the original owner. It had a 302/auto and had been in a barn for almost 30 years. We went through it and it took us a few weeks to get it road ready. It’s nothing close to this car, but I remember I wasn’t fond of the way Mustangs handled and the brakes suck. Anyways, I’m jealous of the next caretaker of this piece of nostalgia.
Clean car. Great colors. Excellent shape. Perhaps not concours-correct, but that may not be the point.
Two suggestions: the seller says he has a Marti Report, how about showing it; a repro Autolite battery would look (way) more appropriate. (Ok, I’ll admit, these are pet peeves of mine….)
Agree on both accounts. I will never understand sellers that list a car like this, with six figure plus price tags, and don’t include pics of all documentation…and I’ll go one further, pertinent stampings and castings as well. Most, if not all, serious buyers will ask for these pics anyhow.
no need to show them to non serious buyers. . when the right one comes a calling thats a diffent story
I agree Bob, absolutely! Spending that kinda’ dough, show the deluxe Marti report! Also, your pet peeves are correct, wrong battery, wrong distributor, factory port of vacuum missing in action, along with the smog parts. Who knows what else is missing or incorrect…..state of condition talks, the other BS about this car walks…..just my honest opinion……oh yeah, wrong radio too…..these missing parts to correct are not inexpensive!……..
Smog may not have been required depending on the original DSO. Particularly if the car was sold new in Canada
Real nice car…beyond my finances .,Did these ever come with a 4 speed? Im not a mustang guy (only had an 89 lx foxbody back in the day)but I have never seen one to my knowledge with 428 and a 4 speed.
Indeed they did. The 428CJ paired with the toploader 4 speed was available and relatively plentiful.
Yes, they were available with a 4 speed and yes, Ford did build some.
No 1970 Mach One cars left the factory with Magnum 500 wheels. Also, missing expensive pieces like smog equipment.
Let’s say that you spend ~$90k on this. That’s about the going rate, and this one is extremely nice and original. Fair enough.
Then what do you do with it? At this price, you have to be a serious car collector, and have the resources to deal with it, and not some guy with a 2 car garage in the suburbs.
Do you put it into your garage with the others? Do you drive it to shows and risk damage and road rash? If you do want to show it off, is it a trailer queen now? Or do you just invite your buddies over to your man-cave garage , start it up and take a few runs around the block in it, then park it for the rest of your ownership?
Who do you have that can wrench on it, when necessary? What’s their rate these days? Technicians who understand a car like this are becoming rather scarce.
And this is still not an Italian car that simply continues to increase in value as an unique art object. The market here has peaked for this type of limited edition American muscle car. The value curves for each type of vehicle are divergent, with the Euro-classics and Duesenberg/Auburn stuff continuing to ride the wave of international cash flow. Those cars seem to be on a constant appreciation run. Not so with this kind of iron. American muscle value seems to have peaked or even softened.
So, with insurance, maintenance, security, and storage, as well as the lost opportunity value of using $90K for this purpose, this will likely be a cash flow negative proposition for the new owner. So much for cars as “investments”.
Honestly, I don’t get it. I like old cars that are affordable and fun to drive and own. To me, this whole scene of pampered “collector cars” looks like a major PITA. But to each their own.
Nostalgia. Reason enough for a lot of people. Frankly, 90 grand is not crazy for a car anymore. A 50 year old Ford? Maybe, maybe not. But people sign up for 90k F250’s and Mercedes E-class all day long and they’re a helluva lot less fun and will depreciate a lot faster than this Mustang. Cars are rarely an “investment” when you figure in maintenance, insurance, garaging, etc. But people also collect watches, jewelry, art, etc. and all those baubles have similar ownership expenses.
To rich for me. Even in Canadian $. Also transportation costs, taxes and import fees. I also share the concerns that were brought up. Not being an expert I would look for someone to do an inspection. It is one of those cars I would love to have in my garage.
lot of cash. a pic of the report would be nice and some kind of mileage paperwork as well not just a pic of the odometer.100k is auction house money. good luck in today’s financial mess. it is a nice-looking pony.
If the car is legitimate in terms of mileage and originality, then the money is right. However, it is missing key items. It would be nice to know if all the smog is still with the car and a sworn affidavit from the original owner indicating said mileage is real. If this would be a 3 pedal car then there would be no question about the cars value.
Oh…whomever buys this will know exactly what to do with it. Every individual gets what they get from buying or collecting cars such as this. When is the last time you saw one of these on the road? You don’t. Hard as it may be for some to swallow, the more common consensus is to cherish and protect them in whatever manner the owners choose. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
As hard as it is to own one of these at top buck, the average Joe can’t really enjoy the car because of the “what if factor”. You can find them at a much lower cost. Someone may have a weekend driver that you could also enjoy. The Tim Allen’s and Jay Leno’s can’t drive all those classics even though they have the money and can cover the cost if anything goes bad. I would rather have that weekend/daily driver and not worry. It also lets people see these cars and not hide them away.
I think I’d need a cigarette after a drive in this.
Craigslist. Nope.
Murph428
Well I am from Down Under and I happen to own a 69 Mach 1 R Code, Acupulco Blue, Stick shift with white trim. 8 Track which plays like new. 49k original miles.
It is very clean
They can claim the mileage as whatever and I’m ok with that. What they will never do is convince me that is original paint, part time during HS buffed cars for a detail shop and opened my own shop after graduation. They didn’t shine like that for one, secondly the bodies were not that straight right out of the factory. JS. This is a really good looking car, I won’t be surprised if it sells.
Definitely not original paint car. Drivers door VIN / ID Tag is missing. Unless the door was replaced at one point. Which would still indicate a repaint.
Why are the mirrors black? All the ones I have seen that were factory have mirrors same color as car.