To help turn around lagging sales, Ford gave its Mustang pony car a new performance edition in 1969, the Mach 1. Though the seller doesn’t identify this project car as being a Mach 1 (25% of sales in 1969), one lone photo shows a Mach 1 tag on the dashboard. This Mustang has had some changes that include converting the transmission from an automatic to a 4-speed manual and swapping a red interior for a black one. Rust is a major problem on this Ford in Plymouth, Ohio, one that’s available here on eBay where $6,100 is the current bid.
The Mach 1 started with the SportsRoof (aka fastback) body style that bore the 63C code on the door tag. No photos of that are provided by the seller, so this could be a real Mach 1 or another fastback that was doctored up way back to resemble one. All Mach 1’s came with a 351 cubic inch V8 engine or larger, which this car has, but the 351 was available elsewhere to Mustang buyers. This car has the requisite blacked-out hood with pins and a “shaker” hood scoop, but no Sport Slats over the back glass.
One thing this Ford has plenty of is rust. Afflicted areas are said to include the front and rear frame rails, and the floors. The red paint is pretty well faded but may be moot as the buyer is likely to repaint the Mustang after issues with the body or repaired. Or you may choose to use this as a donor for another project. All the photos were taken portrait so the entire isn’t visible in any pic. Tip: Always take car photos in landscape mode.
The 4-speed is also a Toploader with a Hurst shifter. If it’s functional (at least repairable), would you go back to an automatic or stick with the manual? We’re told the door and VIN tags are still in place, so you could easily validate this as a Mach 1 upon inspection. While the Mach 1 would be a huge sales success in its own right, it may have siphoned off buyers from other Mustang offerings as overall production numbers would continue to decline each year until the reborn Mustang II arrived in 1974.
A Marti report will verify if it was a true MACH 1. But this one does NOT have a shaker hood or intake. This is a standard Fake Scoop that sits on many MACH 1’s. At the current price you might break even on resale, if you did the work yourself. Otherwise you will be underwater.
My 69 only had the fake scoop and it was an M code with a Manual 3 spd. Could never figure out, Why the 3 spd? Seemed like an odd option for that model car.
A 3 speed manual was not an optional transnission, it was the base transmission for all Mustangs. If a buyer wanted an automatic or 4 speed manual transmission those were options, except for certain engine options like the Boss 302 and Boss 429 as those cars required a 4 speed transmission.
So a buyer could spend some extra money on an optional higher performance engine, like an M code 351 4V, and leave the manual 3 speed transmission. That way they still have a better engine and a manual transmission. And it makes it a lot easier to swap in a 4 speed at some time later in the future.
Sure this Rustang will need almost everything, and as optimistic as I am I would enjoy the rebuild process. Afterall the 1969 Sports Roof is on my favorites list, I would certainly keep the 4 spd. and upgrade perhaps to a built 400M. Underwater? sure, but not too deep doing most of the work myself then enjoying it for 10 years and passing it on to a grandson would make it all worth it and then some.
You mean 400, no M. Why would you put a 400 in a Mustang?
That car was hit HARD! Both front fenders dont line up at all on the pics under the hood!
I am amazed how many of these are still sitting but I am one also that bought a non Mach 1 sport roof, drove it a bit and now it has been dormant for 2 decades. About 9 years ago I thought of selling it, pulled it out and fired it up and asked 3k. Since it is not a Mach and an automatic with a 351 Winsor there was no interest except from guys that wanted the body for a Mach conversion since mine is virtually rust free. My now 14 year old son has expressed interest in it as a first car and I told him he can have it. It will be a good basic car, not a barn stormer but with ps, disc brakes, ac, power windows and the fold down seat this should be a fun first car for him. Lots of these cars still in hiding, simply incredible.
Hmmm. Maybe not a Mach 1 at all (never mind the sticker on the dash). I’m thinking 1969 was the last year of the Mustang GT, and that might explain a few things I noticed in the photos. Regardless, looking at this beauty in this condition is truly heart breaking. If only (the 2 biggest words in the English language) I had the time, money, and gumption to take this on… I hope this magnificent beast will find a more fitting fate than current circumstances.
In February of 1972 I came home from Vietnam to find that my older brother had totalled my ’68 GT 390 Fastback, meadowlark yellow Mustang. I could have salvaged it for a total rebuild but decided to move on. I now regret that decision.
Ah yes, the mandatory random snow tire…..
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m only seeing $4150 on the bid.
I hope somebody with more money than brains buys and restores it. I think it’ll be a nice car to be back on the road and enjoyed.