By the end of the sixties, the Ford Mustang had already satisfied customers for half the decade, but things got even better when a new model joined the lineup in 1969. The performance-oriented Mach 1 was the new kid on the block, with the package adding sporty exterior touches to its SportsRoof body and a 351 V8 as the entry-level engine. This 1970 Ford Mustang here on Craigslist looks like a great driver from the outside, but the surprise under the hood might make it irresistible to Blue Oval fans seeking an early Mach 1. The asking price of $38,000 also sounds reasonable, so I’m guessing it’ll attract a buyer fairly quickly. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel, head on over to Snohomish, Washington, to check this cool pony out in person.
We’d like to thank reader Curvette for another great find here- thanks for sending us the tip! Under the hood is a 396 stroker, typically built by taking a 351 Windsor and boring it .030 over. Some of the goodies mentioned here are Trick Flow cylinder heads, a Holley Sniper throttle body fuel valve, and MSD ignition. A pair of electric fans has also been installed to help keep things cool under the hood. With this combination of mods, the owner reports a 500 horsepower rating, and it’s also great that it’s paired with a manual transmission.
Surprisingly, the listing provides little information about the rest of the car, so the cosmetic details remain a mystery. Although we don’t know whether the sheet metal is all original or if there’s been any bodywork, the exterior appears solid and in excellent condition, with paint that seems more than satisfactory for a fun driver. There’s always the possibility it hasn’t been restored, and if so, this Mach 1 looks like it’s been exceptionally well cared for over the years.
The interior is an enigma as well, especially since we just get this one photo. One upgrade the seller mentions is Dakota gauges, but no word on whether or not the rest of the components in here are original and untouched, or if there has been some restitching and other work done in the past. Whatever the facts are, I’m not seeing anything inside, outside, or mechanically that would require any attention whatsoever from me, and I’d be extremely happy to drive this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 as-is indefinitely. How about you?
500hp, 4sp. Sounds like a fast Mustang.
For 39 K, you would think they would vacume to floor, or at least shake out the floor mats.
Possibly drop 80 bucks to replace the rusted air cleaner. First thing you see when you pop the hood.
Other than that it looks Great.
It’s easy to nit pick, when I’m just looking.
Expecting a better presentation is not nitpicking when the seller wants $40k for a car. Zero excuse for not cleaning up the interior. What else were they lazy about? Remember, you are buying the seller just as much as you are buying the car.
I do have to agree with you about presentation. I sell cars. Even on a car that will only bring 1500 to 2000 dollars I make it a point for it to look as presentable as possible. Maybe it stems back to being an auto detailer in my younger years. Absolutely mechanical condition is top priority but secondary, in the appearance department people are more drawn to a clean car than a dirty or not very clean vehicle.
I had a 1969, i do like the looks of a 70’s better. With that interior i guess the seller has never sold a car before.
I remember wanting to buy one when I returned from Vietnam in 1971, could barely afford the car (under 5k as I recall) but the insurance for a 21 year old Marine was unbelievable!!
I had an Army neighbor come back from Nam and bought a Carousel Red GTO Judge.
He promptly painted in drab Army Green.
He bought the car from a guy who couldn’t afford the payments
Stroking a engine and boring a engine is not the same in my book.
No, it is not, but you can do both.
Yep, I was curious what crank they used to stroke it, regardless of any bore changes.
I like this Mustang. It could do with a different color, but this will work.
Several bolts missing from that left front fender. I wonder what else is missing?
Good Pick up.
I had to go back to see.
Maybe they used superglue.
Correct spelling on the CL ad for one thing. What the heck is a Muatang?
I’d want some more engine details if I was buying, as 500hp is certainly possible, but would be quite a build (bored and stroked, high compression, the right cam, etc.). This has a lot of potential but just needs more pics and details.
Sounds like someone just picked that number out of the air. Running the car on a dyno to get a whp figure is easy enough, and calculations to derive a chp number are just speculation.
Correct, Ron:
Serious and astute buyers will expect to seesomd background documentation.
500 HP out of a Cleveland can be had, but not without great planning.
a clean interior would go a long way in the pics.
The engine in the picture is not a W motor. The Windsor has the water outlet on the manifold, which this does not. The engine pictured has the outlet straight up out of the block, which makes it a Cleveland motor. The 351C has no water going through the manifold.
The valve covers and fuel pump (not shown) are the other tip offs
This car with simple addition of European regulation SIDE MARKER LIGHTS – if brought over to Germany – Sweden Finland Poland it’d be TRIPLE the price.
Easy 80-90 k even possibly 110k
These cars were simply never available-yes in Germany there’s a VERY FEW – Britain also ….but they are RARE.
This car with simple addition of European regulation SIDE MARKER LIGHTS – if brought over to Germany – Sweden Finland Poland it’d be TRIPLE the price.
Easy 80-90 k even possibly 110k
These cars were simply never available-yes in Germany there’s a VERY FEW
I do have to agree with you about presentation. I sell cars. Even on a car that will only bring 1500 to 2000 dollars I make it a point for it to look as presentable as possible. Maybe it stems back to being an auto detailer in my younger years. Absolutely mechanical condition is top priority but secondary, in the appearance department people are more drawn to a clean car than a dirty or not very clean vehicle.
Decent price. The left fender seems to be missing some bolts.
Might want to put some more bolts to hold that fender on!
I know if I were in the market for a 40K Mustang, I would expect both fenders.
A .030 overbore by itself is probably right around an additional 5 cubic inches. Must be a heck of a stroke!