It has been said that the only two things in life that are certain are death and taxes. I believe that there is a third that we could add to that list, and that’s the growing value of First Generation Mustangs. These cars have remained a staple of the classic car sector for decades, and when the vehicle in question is a 1969 Mach 1, that desirability increases. Our feature Mach 1 is equipped with its original 390ci V8 and four-speed manual transmission and is a solid driver that is ready to be enjoyed immediately. The owner feels that the time is right to part with it, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay.It is located in Sycamore, Illinois, and spirited bidding has pushed the price to $31,600. However, this figure remains short of the reserve.

While this Mustang’s shade of Candyapple Red is original, the owner admits that the paint isn’t. He says that the vehicle received a repaint around twenty-five or thirty years ago and that it shows. That suggests another repaint may be on the agenda, but given the healthy shine that this paint shows, that doesn’t need to happen immediately. There are flaws and defects, but it remains presentable as a survivor. The panels look pretty straight, with no significant dents or bruises and tight and consistent gaps. Rust is always a worry with these First Generation Mustangs, but it seems to be pretty limited in this case. The seller admits that there is some present in both doors, but it appears to be the type that the buyer could address with patches. The rockers and lower rear quarter panels are good, while the underside looks structurally sound and clean. The Mustang features a rear spoiler and Sports Slats and rolls on a set of very tidy ET Classic V wheels. With glass that appears flawless, this Mach 1 seems to be ready for a bit of open-road fun.

When it comes to assessing mechanical aspects of a car like this Mach 1, there are two factors to consider. The first is whether it will provide the level of performance that the buyer desires, while the other is how original the vehicle is. This Mustang has us covered on both fronts. Its engine bay houses its numbers-matching 390ci V8 that should be producing 320hp. Throw in a 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end, four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes, and this is a nicely equipped package. The engine sucks copious amounts of fresh air through its Shaker air cleaner setup and should produce a lusty intake roar when the gas pedal is floored. Its potential performance should satisfy most enthusiasts, with the Mustang capable of blitzing the ¼ mile in 14.4 seconds. The owner indicates that apart from a Ford C7AE-9425-F High Performance aluminum intake manifold, this classic remains mechanically untouched. He describes this Mustang as a nice driver, suggesting that it is a turnkey proposition for the buyer. That means that any restoration work can occur when time, circumstances, and finances allow.

Turning our attention to this Mustang’s interior, the news remains positive. The single fault that the owner identifies is a tear in the base of the driver’s seat. However, he includes a replacement seat cover in the deal. The Marti Report indicates but this car rolled off the production line with an AM radio, but it appears that somebody has swapped in an AM/FM radio/8-track player at some point, with speakers in the rear trims. The wheel isn’t original, and a previous owner has installed a rollbar. It appears to be a Shelby replica, and the work quality is faultless. The overall impression is positive, and it seems that this interior will need very little to present at its best once again.

When it comes to this 1969 Mustang Mach 1, its new owner will have some decisions to make. It isn’t perfect, but it still presents well enough to be classed as a tidy survivor. There’s no doubt that it would benefit from a repaint, and the improvement in its appearance would make it seem worth the effort. That is one of the few aesthetic flaws with this car, making it a pretty straightforward project. It has already received thirty-one bids since the owner listed it for sale, and there may be a way to go yet before the reserve is met. I believe it has the potential to top $40,000 before this occurs, and that makes me wonder whether one of our readers might consider submitting a bid. After all, the festive season is upon us, and everyone deserves one present. Is this the one for you?