I admire an owner who admits a desirable but unused classic needs a new home and chooses to list it for sale. That has been the fate of this 1969 Mustang Mach 1, although its lack of activity for the past two decades may lead some to believe the decision could have come sooner. Whatever your view, the fact is that an opportunity now exists to own a First Generation Mustang with a 428 Cobra Jet under the hood. The seller has listed this gem here on eBay in Winter Haven, Florida. Bidding sits below the reserve at $35,300, although there is a BIN option of $55,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Ford released the Mach 1 variant of the Mustang in 1969, unveiling a car that would sound the death knell for the Mustang GT. Ford shifted 17,458 GTs in 1968, but the introduction of the Mach 1 saw sales fall to 5,396 in 1969. The Mach 1 figure of 72,458 drove the final nail into the coffin, and no new Mustang would wear the GT badge until 1982. The Trim Tag confirms that the Candy Apple Red paint gracing this car’s flanks is correct, but whether it has undergone any repairs or restoration is unclear. It shines nicely, although the seller admits it isn’t perfect. A collection of minor marks and chips might motivate some potential buyers to perform a light cosmetic refresh. Those seeking a driver-grade classic will probably find the presentation acceptable. The panels are straight, and the seller’s use of the word “solid” in their description suggests there are no significant rust issues. The car has been in dry storage for twenty years, which should have protected it from the worst that Mother Nature can throw at it. The car retains its original trim and glass, which looks pretty respectable. However, the winning bidder may choose to source the correct wheels to obtain a more stock appearance.
The Mustang’s interior is another aspect of this classic that remains presentable and acceptable for a driver-grade car. There are shortcomings, but addressing them is unlikely to break the bank. The aftermarket wheel looks pretty tired, so replacement would seem the obvious choice. The radio is missing, and the driver’s seat has developing cracks. Replacement seatcovers are readily available and affordable. However, visible issues on the door trims and some other upholstered surfaces might motivate an interior retrim. The process is not horrendously expensive, and some enthusiasts may feel that a car of this caliber deserves that approach.
Ford introduced the 428 Cobra Jet to the Mustang’s engine options list in 1968. It remained available in 1969, giving lucky owners access to 335hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque. That is what hides under the hood of this Mach 1, although it is unclear whether the V8 is numbers-matching. The Mustang originally featured a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end, and the absence of power assistance for the steering and brakes suggests the original owner focused exclusively on straight-line performance. They would have been rewarded with a ¼-mile ET of 14.3 seconds, confirming they found what they were looking for. The seller states the four-speed is gone, and a three-speed C4 automatic transmission has been bolted in. The Mach 1 retains items like the clutch pedal, making a reversal straightforward. It hasn’t seen any serious street action during the past two decades, with drives generally restricted to yard work. The car will probably require a thorough inspection before gracing our streets, but the new owner will be working from a sound base.
Some readers will have a “better late than never” attitude toward the seller’s decision to part with this 1969 Mustang Mach 1, which is understandable. It is common to see some enthusiasts cling grimly to a classic until it has deteriorated beyond the point of no return. This Mach 1 hasn’t suffered that fate, and it could be days away from finding a new home and an owner willing to return it to its rightful place on our streets. I hope the winning bidder is one of our loyal Barn Finds readers because I would love to bring its story to a happy conclusion.
Adam – good write up.
Auto Trans for the 428 cj would be the C6, anot the C4; upgraded one with an iron tailshaft.
Looks like a nice, Q code non-American air mill.
Body and interior look good but inspection with some History and a meaningful drive needed.
My HS pal Steve in ’78 had a Torino with the 428cj and no PS or PB- have to make sure you can like with that although power asst can be added, certainly for the brakes.
Worth a look- get it BACK on the road and ask for any and all original parts.
Correction: non ram air, not non-American air!
Good looking machine for a very reasonable prices, in these times anyway. Like TorinoSCJ69 said, get it up and running again-especially with the inevitable climb in price of fuel to come soon..
Needs to be inspected by a professional, the R code shock tower braces are missing, totally. This is the largest sign of a problem. Never seen an R code without the shock tower braces. Also intake manifold is an S code 390 hi-po intake.
The shock tower to cowl braces are not limited to just the 428 cars. All Mustangs and Cougars had them no matter which engine the factory installed.
He’s talking about the big block specific shock tower braces that are sandwiched in around the upper control arm mount and upper motor mount support, that all ‘68-1/2+ big block Mustangs had. This car needs a careful inspection to ensure that it is not a body swap, or at least had shock towers installed. Having to replace rusted/cracked shock towers is not uncommon, but if it’s due to rust that whole car would have been a mess. Regardless, this car needs careful inspection in person prior to purchase.
I think you’re referring to the RE – Inforced shock towers, that would be standard on the Boss and Cobra Jet Mustangs. The rear louvers are completely wrong as they were hinged and attached to the rear of the roof with spring latches on the bottom. This car smells funny. The aging on the dash panels and especially the clock make this car look like its been outside, under the trees. I noticed the solenoid is missing and that engine looks more like a 390 than a 428 (valve covers, intake manifold, air cleaner and a C4??). Would need to see the apron numbers before I believed it was an R code car.
My older sister’s boyfriend had one the same color in high school, circa 75 ish. His was a 4sp. Man, what an absolute animal!!!! One of the only handful of street cars that scared me…..His step-dad was a County Sheriff Detective, which kept him out of jail several times getting in trouble with that car
Sorry to correct you but those ARE the stock wheels. Had same car in green metallic.
They are stock to a GT not a Mach1. At least the correct dog dishes if you’re gonna put that style steel wheel on it.
Corinthian Vinyl – seriously?
Whoever put this car together never finished the job. It is missing the front side marker lights, the door jamb light switches and the rear window trim. There appears to be a lot of missing weatherstripping. Around the doors, the door bumpers, the beltline, hood bumpers. The fenders are only held on by a couple of bolts. The shifter bucket is installed on top of the carpet. You can tell the car was repainted as the door jamb strikers and latches have been painted over. With all the problems that are visible just in the photos I wonder how many more would be found by an in person inspection.
I forgot to mention the missing windshield wipers, the hood pin trim, the hood lip moulding, the quarter window seal and possibly the front park/turn signal lights.
And the tape holding the passenger seat latch on it.
Whats not to like here this could be a project car with the missing trim in the trunk? Great big block car and nice price just needs to be looked over if interested.Nice start for someone looking for a rare Ford!
I had one much like this, except a 351 4 barrel. Unfortunately, it was built on a Monday.
The valuation on a 69 Mach 1 428CJ is from $49k (fair) to $126k (concours). Scanning the pictures tells me this one is on the low end. Paint job is terrible with the paint over all of the door jam and tags, many parts missing all over the car. If they were in the trunk the seller should have noted that. Steering wheel should be a rim blow with the deluxe interior. The condition of the car doesn’t seem to match the stated mileage. Shock towers tell a story. Radiator without a shroud is another. No one should buy it without an onsite inspection. That said it could well be a bargain and would definitely be a nice car to have and drive when done correctly. I restore old Mustangs and this one would be nice to have, but at the money it’s going to draw it won’t be a bargain when it’s done right.
Love it, but non factory air, no power brakes and steering would cost a small fortune to spend on this Mach 1. Still a great year Mustang to blast into any man’s midlife crisis. Fun find.
Hate the rims and wheels. American Vision or age appropriate Cragers would look much better than these cheap ones do.
Its a shame they replaced the manual trans with a C4? Being it’s a big block, shouldnt they have used a C6 automatic instead? For this kind of money, the buyer should inspect in person, or pay for one.
I would question whether it really is a C4 or not, as I don’t believe Ford ever made a big block bellhousing for a C4. Could be a C6 and the seller is just confused. Yet another reason why it needs in-person inspection prior to purchase.
Real enthusiast, a C6 is only one that will bolt up to a Ford 428 big block. Esp with bell housing, maybe he didn’t know for sure