Parting with a beloved classic is typically difficult, but the pain grows enormously if the owner has been its custodian for decades. That is the story of this 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. It is a one-owner survivor featuring a potent 390ci V8 under the hood. It could be a prime candidate for restoration, although preservation is also a viable option. The seller has listed the Mach 1 here on eBay in Rancho Cordova, California. Bidding has reached $27,877, which is below the reserve.
The 1969 model year marked a significant milestone in the life of Ford’s First Generation Mustang. It signalled the second major upgrade following the 1967 revision, with the car’s overall length and width increasing to give the vehicle a greater sense of presence. For performance enthusiasts, it also marked the arrival of the Mach 1 as the badge’s performance model. It proved a sales triumph, and although it wasn’t planned, it also prompted Ford to discontinue the GT. This Mach 1 left the factory in November 1968, ordered by its owner in Gulfstream Aqua. The seller indicates that this Mustang must have been a prized possession because the original owner remained its custodian for fifty-six years. It received professional repairs following a minor rear-end impact years ago. Otherwise, it is a genuine survivor wearing its original paint. It shows some age, with the paint baked on many surfaces. However, the lack of penetrating rust and significant panel imperfections makes it a prime candidate for a straightforward and sympathetic cosmetic restoration. The seller confirms that the windshield is cracked, but that the remaining tinted glass is in good condition. The trim appears as though it should be acceptable for a driver-grade restoration once it has received attention with a high-quality polish.
The Marti Report included in the sale makes interesting reading because it reinforces this Mustang’s performance credentials. The first owner equipped it with an S-Code 390ci V8, a four-speed wide-ratio manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Ford quoted power and torque figures of 320hp and 427 ft/lbs, and this car may be able to match those figures today. The motor received a rebuild that included a 0.040″ over-bore, internal balancing, and the cylinder heads were ported and polished. That is a recipe for healthy horsepower, with the seller confirming that the S-Code runs strong. The tires are old, but replacing those appears to be the only obstacle standing between this Mach 1 and the road, because the seller states that it runs and drives well.
Although Ford offered a decent assortment of interior trim combinations, it seems that most Mach 1s that cross our desks at Barn Finds left the line trimmed in Black vinyl. That is the case with this Mustang, and although its interior is serviceable, the visible flaws may lead some potential buyers to contemplate at least a partial retrim to address its shortcomings. The driver’s seatcover is ripped and split, the pad is cracked around the speaker grille, and the headliner exhibits deterioration. Individual parts are easily sourced, although the buyer may opt to purchase a complete kit to achieve a factory-fresh look. This beauty features dealer-fitted air conditioning, and while the system is intact, it no longer blows cold.
The arrival of the Mach 1 in 1969 marked the end of the GT’s reign as the performance variant of the First Generation Mustang. The sales figures tell the tale, because while 5,396 buyers ordered a GT, an impressive 72,458 enthusiasts ticked the box on their Order Form to drive away in a Mach 1. Ford would retire the GT badge before the end of the year, and it wouldn’t reappear until 1982. This first-year Mach 1 has a fascinating history and is a wonderful survivor. That raises the question of what you might do if it were to find its way into your garage. Would you follow the restoration path to recapture its youthful good looks? Or would preservation seem the most appropriate option? More importantly, are you tempted to make that vision a reality by submitting a bid? I’d like to wish you luck if you do.
I’d just get a new set of tires and focus on wear parts / mechanical, and drive the wheels off if it.
Almost identical to the 69 I bought in 1970 as a repo for about $4500 as I recall. It was a 351 but same color, wheels, interior etc. I loved that car but as a 20 yr old airhead I wrecked it several times and finally let it go. I’ll be watching this one. CA is within trailering distance for me.
That interior color is all wrong for a car painted aqua. I would change that as long as it needs reupholstering anyway. The rest is fine. PS, PB and AC? My kind of muscle car. Fix the air and cruise.
What color should it be as it is coded 3A Black Mach 1 knitted vinyl?
Wow, a car just like this transformed my life. Late ’70’s I’m in JC and hating it. I’m heading to class and come across what could be this exact car ( I lived in the Bay Area) and life had new meaning. I pleaded with the banks, parents and anyone else that would listen for a loan to buy it with no luck.
At that point I decided that if I couldn’t afford to buy such a beautiful car, there was no point in continuing school and literally quit on the spot.
Eventually I became a self made success story and could certainly buy this car today. And I just may to prove that point, so I dropped a bid on it ;).
Everything about this car is perfect in my eyes. I love the color, interior, wheels, and engine. It is very hard to find one like this, in fact it is only the second one I have ever seen. The other was a 100% gorgeous frame off 6 figure restoration. I would absolutely give it the refresh it deserves and drive the heck out of it.
May your winning bid put this car in your garage! :)
Back in 76′ a guy in the neighborhood was selling a Plymouth Superbird, asking 2,500… I was a mere pup, but offered him everything I owned, even my paper route…
Sold for $45,000.00. A beautiful starting point but too much for me.
Really nice – I have this color #3065A Gulfstream Aqua -faded! – on my Torino and owned a ’68 Cougar with that S code 390 4v. Good mill!
Loving care needed and hopefully ends up in a good Home!
Nice History on a desirable classic.
In 1985 I was 31 ( I’m 71 now, Yikes!) and stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California and I had just sold my 71 LT-1 Corvette and was looking for a Mach1 or Boss 302 for something different. I called a Mustang restoration and parts business in Sacramento, California, and asked them if they knew of any cars for sale. The owner of the store gave me the phone number for a guy who had a cobra jet Mach 1 So I gave him a call. He told me that his mom had bought the car new for him when he turned 16 in the SF Bay Area when he was in high school. When he graduated, he went to college in the east and didn’t want to take the car with him so he left it at his mom’s. After graduation, he remained in the east for work and did not bring the car out. He was now back living in Northern California And wanted to sell the car. I went to look at it and it was an Acapulco blue four speed cobra jet with two options, an AM radio and power front disc brakes. The beauty of the car was that it only had 16,000 original miles and the only modification was a hurst shifter. I bought the car for $6000 which was a lot of money for it in 1985. I really Loved the car, but didn’t want to put too many miles on it so I sold it 2 years later for $8000 and thought I was really making a killing on it. It was a beast to drive with no PS and the rim blow wheel made for a little unintended horn honking when parking. Wish I knew where it was now. This car is a beauty but I loved the Acapulco blue.
What a great story!
My HS pal had a Torino CJ ’69 with neither PS nor PB and he would climb that steering wheel parking it.
Your sound like a true gem especially in Acapulco Blue.
You need to find it and buy it back!
Excellent story!
Nice write up. I got my heart set on a 69′ stang with a Cobra Jet, 4 speed, with that Ford olive green, black interior. This car is definitely a 2nd place.
This car got my attention! It really has all the right stuff IMO. I really like that the color is one that you don’t see often. Alas, all I can realistically do is gaze and fantasize. Just for curiosity I put it on my watch list mostly because I think that the current bid is likely less than half of what it will end up being at the hammer. I want to see where it ends up. FWIW, I would probably just replace the tires, windshield and get the A/C functional. This car has earned the wear and tear on it that shows it wasn’t a garage queen. The seller indicates that the business end is raring to go; so personally, I would not be overly concerned about the cosmetics. Too bad it can’t be me popping the clutch and stomping the loud pedal. GLWTS.
This car is a duplicate of my neighbors car back he bought in 74 same drive train 390 4 speed and same color but his had reflective gold stripes on the side and tail that was a sweet car fast and agile
I had one of these that I bought in 1972, same color and interior but with 351W, 4 speed. It had the rear window covers and wing. The clock on passenger side was set by my dad one early morning as we were heading on I-80 towards Pendleton, OR, we covered 118 miles in an hour. It was a very comfortable car for 2 people to cover a lot of miles. I gave $2500.00 for it and wish I still had it, will be watching this one. I sold it and bought a 69 Corvette w/435HP 427 4 speed. That car is a whole different story!
The auction was ended on 11/9/2025 and the bids were cancelled, the highest at that time was $35,000.
Steve R
Gave it my best shot. Can still dream…
It is re-listed, with a starting bid of $25,000. Strange, when it was at $35k.
And now it says sold for $42k???