The seller purchased this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 twelve years ago with grand plans for restoration. Various circumstances mean it stalled before it could start, and they’ve taken the wise decision that it should go to a new home and an owner willing to do it justice. It sports the level of rust we’ve grown to know and love, but its engine bay houses a healthy 390ci V8. The Mach 1 is listed here on Facebook in Summit, Mississippi. They’ve set their price at $19,500 for a Mustang with a clear title. I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty.
When the seller purchased this Mach 1, they took the effort to order a Marti Report to confirm its specification. The first thing it revealed is that the Maroon paint gracing its panels isn’t original. The car rolled off the line in Dearborn, resplendent in Meadowlark Yellow with the iconic blacked-out hood. It is unclear when the color change occurred, but it didn’t include extending the new shade to areas like the trunk. That should make returning the car to its former appearance less difficult, although the buyer faces plenty of work before considering attacking this Mustang with a spray gun. Hands up those of you who are surprised by the fact this Ford has rust issues requiring attention. Hmm, nobody. It has attacked all the areas we’ve grown to know and love, meaning the buyer needs to source new floors, a trunk pan, and at least lower rear quarter panels. There are visible spots in areas like the lower door corners, but I feel these might be patchable propositions. Some trim pieces require restoration or replacement, and it looks like the engine is missing its distinctive shaker air cleaner setup. However, the glass seems okay, and I think the wheels are restorable.
The seller supplies no photos and limited information about the Mustang’s interior, but it appears it might be complete. The original owner ordered it trimmed in Black vinyl, and it would be worth factoring a retrim of around $2,200 into the restoration budget. There are also no engine photos, but the seller believes the S-Code 390ci powerplant under the hood is original. It should send 320hp to the 3.25 rear end via a three-speed C6 automatic transmission. The Marti Report indicates the original owner selected power steering but doesn’t mention the same luxury for the brakes. In its prime, this Mach 1 would have covered the ¼-mile in 14.9 seconds, with the 390 running out of breath with the needle hitting 134mph. The seller indicates that apart from a leaking exhaust header gasket, this car is mechanically healthy and runs and drives. The photo below confirms that it retains the ability to transform its tires from rubber to smoke, suggesting plenty of willing ponies reside under the hood.
First Generation Mustangs with rust issues are a common sight at Barn Finds, but this car’s mechanical health and specifications make it a worthy restoration candidate. It will require a dedicated new owner to return this classic to its former glory, but every part needed to achieve that goal is readily available and affordable. A high-end restoration would transform this tired classic into a $70,000 motor vehicle, although perfection could push that figure higher. It has only been on the market for around one day, but do you think it will quickly find its new home?
It’s going to take a huge amount of money and time to rebuild this car. I don’t see where you would come out on top financially based on the present selling prices of these cars. Only a buyer with unlimited funds can save this one.
Late 80’s or early 90’s, I looked at a beautiful red 390 Mach I. He’d just finished the engine and exterior – leaving just the interior work, but the $5000 price tag was outside my reach… yeah, I know.
At 1/3 that price, I would possibly consider the car, but I’m not into something that would cost more than it’s worth to repair & that’s AFTER the asking purchase price!!
Love the care and feeding given to a car with a fragile rusted undercarriage. Y’all watch this!
With all that rust in the floors and around the torque boxes, I don’t think I’d be doing burn outs. Just saying.
I had one many years ago, no interior or engine photos.
All the rust and bodywork with the floorpans rocker panels, front and rear rails along with the torque boxes doesn’t appeal to me at all. I’d rather pay more for one that’s in better shape to begin with and with fewer headaches. The 390 is definitely a plus side to this otherwise, no proposition Mustang.
My buddy next door had a blue 69 Mach 1 4 speed and that was one hell of a car beautiful straight line fast and handled decently
He traded it in on a new gmc s15 v6 5 speed in 86 and regretted ever since
$19,500. is awful steep to pay for one in the shape of this one.
By the time you repair the body rust you’ll never get your money back. Offer him $8K.
In the shape that body & undercarriage is with rust, offer $3K & that may even be too much.
I wouldn,tgive $1,950 for it. Parts missing–parts to replace,rust bucket,high labor cost. He,s wanting $19,500—what he will get will be alot less. He better watch how he spins the wheels. He might spin the whole back end out of it.
390’s were “slugs”!
https://youtu.be/NT85aUM-pF4
390 doesn’t have to be a slug. My engine was finished last week.
Check out the dyno test.
Guess you never had one to know better. Sorry that you’re ignorant.
Wow James King brutal response grumpy because your coal for Christmas??
My neighbor had one he had gone through the motor on way back in 1980 and it ran like scalded cat
This one is way too much$$$
Slugs unless you threw big money into them! Just the the way it was!
Like I said, Rex, guess you never had one to know better. I’ve owned several FEs & they sure weren’t slugs. I regularly beat BB GMs with more cubic inches. That said, I still preferred the SB Fords. I preferred road racing VS drags.
I had a 69 machine 1 with a T10 top loader. First time I dumped the clutch I herd a loud bang from the rear end. Turned out the rear rails were gone and sent the leaf springs through the trunk.
They are a rust bucket, I would give it $500 for it.
T-10 not the same as a top-loader!
Back in the day that’s what we called them. If that is true, I stand corrected.
It was a top loader, had to change out third gear synchronizers.
Hopefully that was the tires smoking and not the engine. Rust buckets like these need finished parting out and scrapped. Too much money tossed at a project that the next guy won’t complete either.
Bought one of these, a non Mach 1, so just a sports roof. My wife wanted it 20 years ago. The car was a 351 with ac, disks, fold down seat, electric windows. She decide she didn’t want it and even rust free it was virtually worthless. I couldn’t get what I paid for it. Engine was the wrong size, wheel covers, no magnums, not a Mach. I grew tired of it in the garage in my way and drove it into my woods where it now rusts in piece with a few other purchase mistakes. I know the market has changed but nt sure that one will move at that price