Some enthusiasts hesitate when confronted with the prospect of taking on another person’s unfinished project, and their feelings are understandable. However, when the vehicle in question is this 1970 Mustang Mach 1, there should be no such qualms. The seller has plowed a lot of time and money into this project, getting it to its current state. It needs a new owner with an eye for detail to add the finishing touches to a classic that will offer good looks and excellent performance. This Mach 1 is listed here on eBay in Bonney Lake, Washington. The bidding sits at $55,100 but remains short of the reserve.

There’s a bit to consider with this Mach 1, and the supplied photos suggest the seller took the best approach to ensure they didn’t cut corners in their build. They stripped the car to the last nut and bolt before commencing a rotisserie restoration. The process included replacing the floor pans, the right rear quarter panel, and the left quarter outer skin. They also replaced the taillight panel, trunk lid, and lower rear valance. That left the body rust-free, with the underside looking immaculate. All that remains is for the new owner to align the panels correctly, address a few minor panel imperfections, and apply a fresh coat of paint. This Mach 1 rolled off the line wearing Medium Blue Metallic paint, and a fresh coat and new stripes would make it really pop. The trim is in good condition, although a few pieces require reattachment. The tinted glass is equally impressive, and while the wheels aren’t original to this car, I probably wouldn’t change them.

The supplied interior shots are inconclusive due to their graininess, but they suggest it may not take a lot of effort on the buyer’s behalf to return its presentation to a high level. It generally looks stock, although the seller added a different gauge cluster with a factory tachometer, a Sport Deck rear seat, and a tilt wheel. The dash and pad look nice, and while the same is generally true of the console, its lid is bent. The seat upholstery sports a couple of splits, meaning the buyer will probably replace the lot to maintain color consistency. The door trims also show defects, and the carpet condition is unknown. The buyer should probably brace for the cost of a trim kit as the most effective answer to the woes. An in-person inspection, which the seller suggests, should answer all the questions and allow the buyer to develop their strategies on this aspect of the build.

The supplied Marti Report and original Window Sticker paint a picture of a Mach 1 where the original owner craved outright performance. They equipped this classic with a 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air V8, a three-speed C6 transmission, a 3.50 rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. That combination delivered 335hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque, allowing this beast to storm the ¼-mile in 14.6 seconds. I would love to reveal this Mustang is numbers-matching, but the original drivetrain is long gone. However, the seller did their best to help this classic regain its lost youth by sourcing a genuine 428 Cobra Jet motor that was complete from the correct carburetor to the right oil pan. They took the same approach with the transmission, tailshaft, and 9″ rear end. The Cobra Jet received a rebuild that included new forged flat-top pistons, and the car runs and drives well. They supply an embedded video clip within their listing, allowing us to hear that sweet V8 running. It sounds perfect breathing through its new dual exhaust, with no smoke, rattles, or other odd noises. There is a small transmission fluid leak around one seal, but it appears this vehicle has no further mechanical needs. They completed this aspect of the build by detailing the engine and its surrounds to a high level that will draw favorable comments whenever the new owner lifts the hood.

Although it isn’t 100% original or numbers-matching, this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 shows promise as a project build. While employing a professional to complete the required panel and paint tasks would seem the logical next step, the work is straightforward enough that the right person could potentially undertake it in a home workshop. While a total of twelve bids may not seem impressive, the fact they have pushed the price to its current level suggests potential buyers like what they see. Guessing the reserve would be purely speculative, but it will be interesting to gauge what our readers believe the figure would be. Therefore, it’s over to you for your thoughts.