Just imagine for a moment that its 1969. The Apollo 11 mission is mere weeks away from blasting off on its date with destiny, and you decide that the time has come for you to secure your own ground-bound rocket. You walk into your local Ford dealership with a wad of cash in your wallet and order the best Mustang that you can buy. The result would probably have been a car similar to this one. This 1969 Mustang Mach 1 has seen better days, but the potential is definitely there for it to be returned to its former glory. Located in Auburn, Massachusetts, the Mach 1 has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the asking price for the Mustang at $17,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder AMXBrian for spotting this great 1960s classic for us.
So, this is a Mustang with rust, no real surprises there. However, it is a long way from being the worst example that we’ve seen here at Barn Finds, and certainly isn’t beyond salvation. There is rust in all of those areas that we have grown to know and love over the years. This includes the floors, rockers, quarter panels, deck lid, drop-offs, and the tail panel. The frame and the front torque boxes are looking pretty good, and what is interesting is the fact that the worst of the rust seems to be confined to the back half of the car. That suggests that maybe the Mustang spent a significant amount of time parked somewhere that left its rear exposed to the elements. Hiding somewhere under that baked looking paint lies the original New Lime paint, which I find to be an interesting and subtle color to paint a car like this.
Lifting the hood is what makes this car special, and earns it that title of a ground-bound rocket. The owner of this Mach 1 knew precisely what they wanted when they ordered this car, and that was to go fast. What they chose to equip it with was a 428ci Cobra Jet Ram Air engine, punching out a conservative 335hp. Bolted to the back of this monster is a 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission, which fed the power to 3.50 Traction-Lok rear end. To help them to maintain some control over proceedings, they also specified power steering and power front disc brakes. The owner says that the transmission and rear end are original, as is the engine block. Unfortunately, the intake is an aftermarket item, and while the cylinder heads are proper CJ heads, they are from an earlier model. It appears that the air cleaner and shaker are correct, but the one thing that the owner doesn’t tell us is whether or not the engine turns freely.
Apart from the door trims, it appears that the Mustang’s interior is complete. It even looks like the optional factory AM/8-Track player is still present. There is no doubt that it will require a full restoration, but at least it looks like the next owner isn’t going to have their work cut out for them locating some of the more difficult items.
What do you think? There is definitely some rust that will need to be attended to with this Mustang, but it isn’t as bad as some of the project cars that we’ve seen over the years. The popularity of the Mustang shows no sign of tapering off, so if this one was restored, it has the potential to represent a solid long-term investment.
Could be worse but still a ton of work and money. Not a lot of these running around loose any more which makes saving this car worth while. Nibble down the asking price a bit and go for it.
Not a lot around?? There are 67 1969 Mustangs on eBay alone right now as we speak! Most of them over restored performance versions of course.
Rust, rust, rust. And then there is the sunroof to fill in.
As bobhess said, lots of time and money needed here. I hope the new owner will stick with the New Lime paint, one of those rarely-seen colors.
I have a New Lime Mach 1. :P
The pics are amazing.
Nice,,I propose a new BF’s game. Guess the over-inflated price of a rusty hulk. Proof positive, at one time it was just someones POS car. I mean, this was the ultimate in Ford muscle cars in 1968, what kind of doofus would let it get to this point?
I always wonder that….so many of the rarer ones end up in this kind of pitiful condition.
That shaker is why I bought my ’04 Mach1, and even the seats are similar. Always loved the look on these.
I agree, its criminal to let this classic car rot away, what are people thinking!
You answered your own question, sir. “at one time it was just someones POS car.” That’s how it got to this point.
I know where there’s a ’69 Charger 500, a hand-massaged car that they made less than 500 of, that looks like the cars my parents bought off the back row of the car dealership in town when I was a kid. They were just worn out, used cars…
I remember one of the school lunch ladies drove a 1968 GTX. I remember seeing a Superbird parked in a Rinks every day in Columbus. The store manager owned it. They weren’t sold as instant classics by any measure.
Rinks in Columbus?! Did it happen to be on Henderson road??
Put the serial number and components in a good car. I only say it because that’s what will happen.
This is the girl/guy with the beautiful bod and the smushface
The opening sentence “Just imagine” pretty much sums it up. A lot of imagination is needed here. Mostly I imagine someone else paying for this. Certainly could be one gorgeous car, but my wallet just will stay in my pocket.
Did they accidentally add a zero on that price?
Another great writeup, Adam, and great commentary, guys. It brings a tear to my eye to see this baby in this condition. If the top looks this bad I can only imagine how bad the underbelly is. Does the orig drivetrain and paperwork make it worth 17 large?? I’m thinking someone will buy this , put it in the corner of a body shop and let the guys work on it during a slack time. Job Security for the bodyman!!! Good luck to the new owner.
I think this one looks like it was parked under the Apollo launcher right before lift off.
I don’t get the fascination with Cobra Jets. IMO, ignoring the Boss 429, the Super Cobra Jet is the only way to go if you are looking for a bruiser. It is so much more engine than the CJ. And If you want power and cruising, it’s a 390 with 4 sp top loader (but good 390s are difficult to find).
SCJ’s were drag cars, 3.91 or 4.30 gears. A/C not avail on SCJ cars too. So the SCJ is not for everyone.
Like the looks of the Boss 429 Mustang more than any Mustang ever built, but that was such a rare specialty engine, and expensive. Wonder what parts cost for it even back then.
Lug nuts function like they’re supposed to.
Another piece of junk. I owned a 69 428 and they are a great car but this one is done for.
I think this is far from gone, but it’ll never see any love at that asking price.
Junk. !!!!!
It’s a Mach 1 428 cj 4 speed. If you see what these are going for in pristine condition it will burn your eyeballs. Buy this for 17k put 50k into it and you’ll probably break even at BJ auction. Maybe even make a dollar or two.
God bless America
Deep pockets labor of love, probably not profit
So far gone! More like a Mock 1 than a Mach 1.
Just imagine for a moment that the Marines just sent you home from Vietnam. Then a couple days after you were promoted to an E5 Sargeant on your birthday July 20th the 1 year anniversary of the Apollo 11 crew landing on the moon you walk into Barstow Chevrolet with a wad of cash in your hand to get a land rocket to fly between Barstow and Camp Pandleton over the Cajon Pass. You buy yourself a 70 L78 402 4 speed 12 bolt locker with 3:55 gears a Citrus Green black stripes RS/SS Camaro. I kept her garaged for all of her 113,000 miles until 1992 when I sold her in near new condition and with only a repaint of the front pan and urethane nose. She had four oil changes a year no matter how few miles. She was never over revved, run hot, or made a pass down the drag strip. Valves were adjusted yearly until 1984 when she got a hydraulic cam and lifters. Selling is BIGGEST mistake of my life ..
We all have a car we regret, it first off thanks for your service for our Country, people tend to forget that you guys put your lives on the line, back to the car, I’ve been looking for my lost found lost 73 Luxury Lemans since 1982, ought it in 78, sold it in 79, guy who bought it tore the nose off of it, disappeared, turned up again in 1982, went to the shop w a wad of money to buy it back,shop got busted for stolen cars, disappeared again, please it makes me vomit
This is car that needs a rotisserie restoration!! I’m not sure if I were to soda blast this body if there would be anything left to weld to!! The fact that the motor and transmission are still there are a plus but that’s a ton of work and money for a car that’s at $17,000 already!!! I hope it’s saved but it won’t be by me at that price!! One of the best classic mustangs ever!!
after it comes back from soda blasting, it will fit in a shoe box.
Don’t know if it’s the picture but the motor looks like it’s crooked and might have a broken motor mount!! I guess it’s not a huge issue considering the condition of the rest of the car!!!
I was thinking the same
There prolly is nothing there for the motor to mount to lol.
Probable cause😂
If only I had a Bronco frame to put this on……
HAHAHA
Sorry to say,this is roached.I’m.a Chevy truck guy, but absolutely love the ’69 fastback Ford’s.It appears that flippers need not apply on this sad to see once glorious beast.
Drive train is worth about $6000 and body $4000. $10k is more reasonable price. Maybe $12k.