The next owner of this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 can choose from several paths in their bid to return this classic to its former glory. It is an essentially solid and complete classic, and one option would be to return it to a mechanically roadworthy state and then hit the road behind the wheel of a survivor. However, its lack of significant rust could make it a highly rewarding restoration project. Located in Valley, Alabama, you will find the Mach 1 listed for sale here on eBay. It has already attracted an impressive twenty-nine bids, which have pushed the price to $18,700. This figure is beyond the reserve, so when the hammer falls, this classic will be headed to a new home.
The owner claims that this Competition Yellow Mach 1 has spent its life in the south. The original owner purchased the car from Fuller Ford in Opelika, Alabama, and the vehicle has remained within twenty miles of that location ever since. It has been parked in a shed since the 1990s, but when the seller dragged it out of hiding, he was surprised by how clean it was. There’s no denying that the vehicle would look better with a fresh coat of paint, but the buyer won’t need to spend a fortune on panel or rust repairs before they can enjoy that little pleasure. There are no significant dings or dents, and rust appears to be minimal. There is one spot in the driver’s side lower rear quarter panel, but the owner includes a patch to address this. The battery tray was also bad, but he has already replaced that. It’s when you climb under this classic that you appreciate what it has to offer. The floors, rails, and torque boxes have surface corrosion, but they are rock solid. Addressing the corrosion would be a priority, but at least the buyer won’t be facing a mountain of bills cutting out and replacing a pile of rotten steel. Most of the trim and tinted glass is in good order, while the seller believes that a bit of cleaning and polishing should return the Magnum 500 wheels to a pristine state.
The buyer will need to invest a few dollars inside the Mustang, but it’s not as bad as first impressions might suggest. Before I compiled a shopping list, I’d treat everything to a deep clean. The seller has gotten no further than vacuuming the carpet, but he says that the seats have no rips or wear, and the foam feels supportive. The headliner has a couple of holes courtesy of a mouse, and the dash pad is badly cracked. The carpet may also have a question mark hanging over it, but it seems that this part of the restoration won’t hurt that much. The Marti Report indicates that the original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, but I can’t spot the compressor or brackets in the engine shots. The previous owner swapped the original radio for a Pioneer radio/cassette player, and like every other electrical component inside this Mach 1, it works perfectly.
The engine bay seems to be one of those “good news/bad news” deals. The first thing to note is that this Mach 1 is not numbers-matching. The Marti Report indicates that it rolled off the line with a 351-2V V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The previous owner ditched the original motor and transmission, and in their place, we find a strong 302ci V8 and a four-speed manual that originally saw duty in a 1970 Torino. The specifications of the motor are unclear, but I think it’s possible that it might be churning out more than the original V8’s 250hp. The seller has coaxed the engine back to life on an external fuel source, and he says it sounds clean and strong. The clutch works properly, and the transmission shifts through all gears. He emphasizes that the car is not roadworthy, and it will need some basic maintenance and a fuel system clean to achieve this. However, it would seem that it would be possible to return the Mustang to a roadworthy state for a minimal outlay, and the buyer could then choose to hit the road in this gem as an untouched survivor.
When you look at what this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 offers potential buyers, it is easy to see why it has generated so much interest since it hit eBay. It appears to be a straightforward restoration prospect, and once complete, it could offer a wonderful blend of looks and performance. The fact that it is no longer numbers-matching will negatively impact its potential value, but if you want to own a tidy driver-grade Mustang, this could be the car for you.
Make sure you know what you are buying, another one that presents well but all that surface rust under the hood would scare me. Looker over good or have it inspected by a reputable party, not feebays’ inspection service. You could go anyway you wanted since the original mill is gone. I’d leave the 4 speed meself. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
Would be fun, but yes a bit rough.
I’m thinking that motor was from a flood car. If it runs & sounds ok, so be it. But when air filters get dirty, the element turns charcoal or black – not brown. Why include this air filter? – lot of mud crap, etc. could go in the motor when you start it up.