By 1969, a flood of competition had entered the “pony car” space. Yet, the Ford Mustang was still the dominant player at sales of just shy of 300,000 units. But the convertible was just five percent of total production. But the number of ragtops built with the GT option, a 390 cubic inch V8, and a 4-speed tranny may have been a minority, especially with Acapulco Blue paint. That description applies to the seller’s car, which has been in its current state for at least 45 years. Located in Rockford, Illinois, this forlorn project is available here on eBay for $11,000.
The Mustang received its second restyle in 1969, retaining the platform that dated to 1964 (and 1960 with the Falcon compact). Dual headlights would arrive as a single-year exercise, reverting to singles in 1970. If we were to run a Marti Report on this once-forgotten ragtop, we’d surely find it’s in rare company in terms of the motor/transmission/color choice and the GT option that we understand was only ordered in 1,000 or so open-air Mustangs. That should have added lower-body striping, hood latches, styled wheels, and a more spirited handling set-up to this Ford.
As the story goes, the seller’s father had several old project cars that he/she has been parting company with since Dad’s passing several years ago. He bought the car as you see it now in 1980, but never got around to doing much with it. It has been clobbered twice, once in the rear and another in the right front. The damage has gone untouched, so your body shop will have a field day with this Ford. What you see is what you get; so many of the body panels are missing or perhaps in need of replacement.
The 390 V8 doesn’t turn over, so you probably have a big mechanical project on your hands, too. The scarcity of the combined equipment on this Mustang may have been why the father wanted to acquire it, as well as a possible low number of miles (55,000). If you decide to take the plunge, the seller is likely to request a wire transfer to keep things on the up and up. Would you undertake restoring this convertible, or would you leave it to someone else who’s a bit braver?
You are correct Russ, this is a rare and desirable combination. A big-block manual transmission GT convertible… certainly fewer than 1000, probably only a few hundred built, which means there are likely fewer than one hundred which survive. This example, with its attractive colors, would have been stunning when new.
I do note the cool “gear” gas cap which was exclusive to the 1969 GT.
It is in sad condition, and vehicles in this condition are obviously huge projects. But this one might be worth the effort.
Thanks Russ for writing up this Mustang.
You’re being too generous. This car is a double-digit car.
Any chance the seller has a convertible Impala for sale too?
The flatliner?
Wow… What a great investment. Bought the parts car for a few hundred, used the hood, fender, and door on his daily driver, stuck it in a shed for 45 years, and now wants 11k cause it’s special… Mint condition hardtops are going for 70-80, asking price. This one only needs everything, without labor… I think 5-6k is more realistic.
Look at the condition of the cowl on the passenger side. The previous owner clearly did not use the fender or door on another car. They would’ve been bent and battered beyond use.
The cowl area alone is going to be the make/or break point on whether this one gets restored. It took a really hard hit on the side.
Way overpriced. Too much work ($$$$) to start off $11k in the hole.
this horse sure is hurting
It should be put out of it’s misery.
Is there even a straight panel on the car? If it is, it is rusted. No underside pictures, but even without those, this is an uphill slog in every direction. Worth it is a relative term, but that guy who thinks so has deep pockets and doesn’t care about recovering his money or not – emphasis on the not.
I have a 69 convertible in Acapulco Blue that I restored 10 years ago and still have it. I know what it will take to restore that car and it ain’t pretty! Mine is a 408C and a 5 speed. I did all the work. I’d rather have had the big block and the S code, but hey, can’t have everything. I pity the guy that pays this kind of money. The car is worth maybe $3k and that’s only for the S code title and potentially rebuildable 390. Everything else will need to be changed or repaired. Not many of those parts on the listing will be reused and there isn’t a panel on the car that should be reused. It’s a convertible, someone please save it.
Parts Car! I looked to see if Dynacorn makes a body for one of these, but no, no convertible body for a ’69, just a Fastback body shell, which costs $17.5k, plus a $595 crating and shipping fee, and you’ll need to buy both front fenders and a hood in addition to the body, which Dynacorn also makes. At $5k or $6k, maybe, but $11k? I don’t think so! Sure it’s rare, but the restoration costs for the body, drivetrain and interior will probably consume something between $50k and $75k, depending on how much of the work you do yourself, and it’s doubtful you will recover those costs on resale. The basic rule of buying the best example you can afford still applies, and I think that there are better examples are out there for less money. Hard Pass.