With a simple sales strategy, the First Generation Mustang drew buyers into showrooms like moths to a flame. By ordering an entry-level vehicle, people could buy into the Mustang lifestyle without requiring a second mortgage. They could park a car in their driveway that would be the envy of their neighbors, that offered decent fuel economy, cheap maintenance costs, and didn’t come with crippling insurance premiums. Most early entry-level vehicles received upgrades as time passed, but this 1970 Hardtop is as original as the day it was born. Adding to its appeal, it has a genuine 36,000 miles showing on its odometer. It needs a new home, with the owner listing it here on eBay in Charlotte, North Carolina. They set a BIN of $23,900 but leave the option to make an offer. Barn Finder Larry D managed to spot another hidden gem for us, so thank you so much, Larry.
It is fascinating to delve into the production figures for the 1970 Mustang because they reveal a fact that some may find surprising. Although the classic scene focuses on variants like the Mach 1 or the Boss 302, the entry-level Hardtop sold in the highest numbers and generated the most revenue for Ford. The Boss 302 sold 6,318, while the Mach 1’s 40,970 was undoubtedly impressive. However, the base Hardtop’s total of 82,569 left the others in their dust. Many received later upgrades, but our feature car remains as it was the day the original owner took delivery. Ford applied its existing Wimbledon White paint, with the vehicle never receiving any repair or restoration work. It shines nicely, and like the spotless steel beneath, it shows no evidence of deterioration or problems. The seller doesn’t mention rust issues, and the supplied photos reveal nothing beyond the occasional spot of surface corrosion in the engine bay. The trim and glass are excellent, and the ‘Stang rolls on its original steelies with sparkling hubcaps and trim rings.
This Mustang’s “basic” nature becomes apparent when we examine its interior. Don’t look for air conditioning, a factory tachometer, a console, power windows, or a radio because you’ll be sorely disappointed. What you get for your money is an interior trimmed in spotless Blue vinyl, which shows no evidence of wear or other problems. It is the same story with the carpet, the dash, and the pad. It is unerringly practical and probably proved the perfect weapon for its original owner as a daily driver or family transport. It remains unmolested, which is a triumph considering how many First Generation Mustangs received aftermarket stereos and other additions. The interior needs nothing and should receive favorable comments at any show or Cars & Coffee.
This car would serve as a blueprint if you needed to devise a strategy to buy the cheapest new Mustang in 1970. Lifting its hood reveals a 200ci T-Code six producing 120hp. Those ponies feed to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission, while there is no power assistance for the steering or four-wheel drum brakes. The combination doesn’t sound exciting, and the ¼-mile ET of 19.2 seconds acts as confirmation. You could buy a slower ’70 Mustang, but that involved spending extra money on the automatic transmission option that pushed the ET to 19.8 seconds. Before condemning this car, it is worth reflecting on how effectively it would fulfill its original owner’s needs. If it was their daily driver, it could tackle city and suburban running while consuming fuel at 15mpg. Point it at a stretch of highway, and that figure improves beyond 20mpg. With a tank range of 460 miles, it would be an effective and comfortable commuter or cross-country cruiser. The seller indicates there is nothing but good news to this Hardtop’s mechanical story. It has a genuine 36,000 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence in the limited listing text. However, it runs and drives exceptionally well, leaving the new owner the option of flying in and developing a relationship with this classic as they drive it home.
Some classics possess the “wow” factor courtesy of stunning styling or breathtaking performance. Although it may not be the most desirable version of the First Generation Mustang, this 1970 model possesses that trait courtesy of its unmolested state and odometer reading. Considering its drivetrain configuration, the BIN price sits right at the top of the current market. However, the price is justified if the seller holds evidence that unquestioningly confirms the odometer reading. Fifteen people are watching the listing, and it will be fascinating to see if that figure grows as the listing concludes. That may not happen because someone might find it so irresistible that they hit the button early. Do you think that will happen, or can you see another eBay listing in this classic’s future?
Mary Tyler Moore drove one. While I enjoy the authors descriptions, as a signature feature, he always includes the performance figures, even on the most unlikely vehicles. This is one where the absolute FURTHEST thing from this buyers mind in 1970, was its performance. They wanted a sporty Mustang, but this car, except for possibly a few interior options, was probably the most basic Mustang you could buy. The floor shift wasn’t so much sporty, it merely was because a column shift wasn’t available. I read, a no option Mustang in 1970 like this, was about $2800 bucks, or about $300 more than a Falcon. Conversely, a Mach 1, was almost $3800+ bucks and not what this person wanted anyway. All we see today are Mach 1s, but in reality, we NEVER saw many Mach 1s, and I’d say 90% of all Mustangs were just like this. Its just, they were just run into telephone poles and few survived.
Clearly, the “add a zero to the MSRP” thing is alive and well. It’s a great find, much more in tune and usable for today. The 200 was a great motor. I think an automatic and P/S would increase the chances of a sale dramatically, but a swap is out of the question now. Pretty crazy, someone thinks a car like this is worth $25 grand, and no bids, oh well, can’t blame them for trying, eh?
Prices like this are the new normal, you’re living in the past. Crazy low miles, original paint, and seller has 100% positive rating. If the seller doesn’t get the money he will adjust it to match the market if he really wants to sell it. It’s tiring to see negative comments on Every. Single. Post. JACK.
It’s the Curmudgeon lifestyle some people embrace.
Would rather read any of Howard’s replies than yours Dave!
Yeah, there’s a theme here Howard. You’re nearly always the first commenter on every thread and it seems you’re singlehandedly trying to turn down the flame on the Survivor Car market. As I’ve stated repeatedly, have you priced a NEW vehicle lately? Try over $48K for the average new plastic tech-filled disposable Transformers inspired pickup-based transport or lozenge-looking thing identified as “car”. It is AD 2022 and you surely aren’t living in a cave or you wouldn’t have access to the apparently blazing-fast Internet that allows you to be the first to comment nearly every time. You come off as somewhat of an obstreperous mendicant Old Boy.
Survivors are the cars that truly matter. The ONLY ones that present every genuine original surface and scent that generations long gone put together hand in hand regardless of race, creed or color back when our industrial base still existed and those once thriving cities didn’t resemble a scene from Escape From New York.
You cannot restore a Mustang to this condition. The original parts were made by Americans in America, not by kids in Chinese sweat shops. The paint was delightfully crappy and in fact illegal to sell today, the chalk marks are originals that American factory workers put there 53 years ago along with the Coke can they might’ve left inside the door as a joke. This survivor is the GENUINE article. The top of the pecking order. Irreplaceable. $23K isn’t much to pay for a genuine, iconic piece of American history. In fact, it’s nothing, man. The value of survivors should rightfully continue to skyrocket and the values of the overblown restorations with the blatantly incorrect Chinese door panels, dash boards and seat upholstery, el-fako chalk marks and octuple-stage paint jobs will deservedly plummet if there’s any justice in this world. Meanwhile, all the obscenely expensive 2022 government monitored and controlled tech on wheels will be relegated to the junkpile of history within 15 years – rightfully and thankfully.
This is the type of classic car that defines the word “survivor.” It’s amazing to see cars like this are still being found. Sure, it’s a bit of a Plain Jane with no options but it’s a true survivor and cars like this are a rare sight at your local cars and coffee. On the plus side, the white exterior and blue interior is an attractive combination. The ask seems a little steep but considering the unmolested original condition and the claimed low mileage, maybe not.
Adam does a good job of reminding us that base-level cars were the biggest sellers, and without their underpinning of the finances of the model line, the high-performance models could not be justified. This is a great example of a very low end model, the type which was used up then discarded. I love the high performance Mustangs, but bring this example to a show and park it in a row of muscle cars, I know which one will draw my attention.
At least it doesn’t sport that doofus reverse vent on the rear quarter panel! A plain jane beauty. GLWTA!! :-)
Nice clean design on a car in excellent condition. The manual transmission puts a little fun into a basic car.
Had a ’69 Grande back in the 70’s, a 302 A/T car with PS. I much prefer equipped that way to this, seems too much like a Falcon with the 200 six. Owned dozens of cars in the 70’s, got bored easily and flipped them, but only two were Mustangs. All the secretary cars are long gone, making this one a rare bird.
Well over 20k for this tells me I’m outta touch with pricing. Now wishing I’d have kept some
ordinary vehicles just like it.
Alot to like here, and with a stick… fantastic.
If I had to guess, I’d say this was a dealer-ordered car. They specified no options, added the tape stripe and wheel trim rings (which are either Ford accessories or aftermarket), and advertised it as such: “You can get your very own sporty Mustang for just $2600!” When prospective customers arrived in the showroom, they were shown the basic, white hardtop, then quickly diverted to something with a fatter profit margin.
You’re right , almost all cars were ordered by the dealership , unless you had the extra money to want something special , and were willing to wait , which most people weren’t . As popular as Mustangs were , dealerships had rows and rows of them , starting with base cars like this , and moving up to a fairly optioned up Mach 1 . This way a dealer could steer a buyer into a car for a price they said they were willing to spend . No one would order something like this, as you said, it was a “get you into the dealership” car
Just right for my neice! She loves
Mustangs and I’d put her in this one if
I could. If the ask were lower, I’d really consider it. Not much chance of her getting into trouble with this one. Not a fire breathing rip snorter,
just a nice old Mustang for her to drive and enjoy– after I teach her how
to drive a 3 speed that is
How quickly Mustang went from a tight and clean, sporty package to a bloated, shapeless blob !
My best friend and I made it our job to harass the sales staff at Metke Ford on a regular basis (other dealers too), collecting sales lit and climbing all over the cars when we were kids. Starting in 1966, we coerced our mothers into dropping us off at target dealers to drool on the new cars while they went shopping. But after a few years, cars that seemed to get better every year began to get fat and shapeless, with claustrophobia-indusing interiors. While many others followed suit, for me, the Mustang epitomized this rapid decline of cool more than any other car. Just look at the crisp and clean styling of a 67 and then look at this turd. It is awful ! … and the reason why, even today,I say that America quit building cars after 1969.
As an aside, my friend’s favorite car from those days was a 67 Shelby, and in 1977 we hunted one down and he owns it to this day. Me, I preferred the Coronets rolling off the trucks over at B.C. Hawk Dodge, and I got myself a 66 convertible, …. which I still own today.
Even though the prices are up on all classic cars, including these base models, they certainly aren’t up to this level. Knocking 10K off the price will probably move this car along to another buyer.
Nothing wrong with flippers, but can you at least take the temporary tag off of the back plate, before listing it? Also, brief write up with no verification on suggested lack of mileage…. Good luck.
For my taste the ugliest Mustangs next to the shoeboxes they
built afterwards. Especially the round shaped front end and
the very downward shaped dashboard look very unfortunate.
As the bloated rear end, nothing looks like a well balanced
design. Where was Ghia, Bertone, or Pininfarina?
The car itself looks good. Peoples who bought such basic
equipped cars respect their asset what is confirmed in their
condition. This is not my kind of but whoever who likes it.
This baby is mighty clean!!
I owned a notch back 69 Mustang in 1972. 302/2 barrel with a manual 3 speed on the floor. No a/c, PS or PB. Loved that car. Was quick and for this 20 year old, no PS or PB was not a problem. Stronger then. It was such a leap forward from my previous car, 64 Galaxie. Wish I still had that Mustang, made me smile every time I drove it.
If I had room in the garage right now, I’d be interested. This is a beautiful, rarely seen Mustang. And the “wow” factor would be the condition, and when you opened the hood!
Lest we forget inflation, 1970 $2600 dollars in today’s dollars is approximately $22K. So much for lamenting how cheap things were back then.
Minimum wage was $1.45 in 1970. If you made $5-6 hr, that was good money.