The photos suggest that this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 is a project build that has stalled with the finish line in sight. It wears a layer of dust, indicating it has been sitting for a while and needs someone to complete the work. Its engine bay houses a desirable V8 that should make this a potent pony. The owner has listed it here on Mecum Auctions in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is set to go under the hammer on Saturday, July 30th, with No Reserve. I must thank Barn Finder Larry D for referring this beauty to us.
The seller supplies little information on this Mustang’s history, and the provided photos aren’t revealing. It wears green paint, but the shade is unclear. It looks like Highland Green, although Ford didn’t offer that color in 1969. I’m pretty sure it isn’t Black Jade, so that remains a mystery worth investigating. The panels look straight, with no visible dings or bruises. Since it is a First Generation Mustang, many potential buyers will be interested in its rust status. There is nothing visible in the supplied photos, but they aren’t as comprehensive as we might typically expect from a car listed through this seller. Most potential buyers will choose to perform an in-person inspection, which is a wise strategy. The buyer may need to compile a shopping list of minor parts because I can’t spot a grille in the supplied photos. The remaining trim and glass look okay, but the Magnum 500 wheels require a refresh or replacement.
The interior is a mixed bag, requiring a deep clean to assess what is serviceable. The dash and pad look okay, as do the seats. The rear trims are cut to house speakers, but the buyer may deem that change acceptable given the modifications made elsewhere. There is a console, but I can’t see door trims. Even if the interior requires a total retrim, it is not an expensive undertaking. Around $2,400 should see the interior looking factory fresh, including replacing the badly cracked wheel. Considering its potential value, such a strategy could prove a wise investment.
When it was shiny and new, this Mustang’s engine bay housed an M-Code 351ci V8 producing 290hp. When bolted to a four-speed manual transmission, it allowed the Mach 1 to romp through the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds. The original motor is long gone, but the current drivetrain combination is mouthwatering. Lifting the hood reveals a rebuilt 428 Cobra Jet V8, four-speed manual transmission, a bulletproof 9″ rear end, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The Cobra Jet should churn out 335hp, allowing the vehicle to storm the ¼ in 14.3 seconds. The listing states that the V8 features a Demon 4-barrel carburetor and that the owner replaced the fuel and brake lines. Beyond that, we are flying blind on the subject of its mechanical health. It seems there are a few questions about this Mustang requiring clarification.
While originality is generally a key consideration when assessing the potential value of vehicles like a First Generation Mustang Mach 1, that may not always be the case. Whoever decided to ditch this car’s original motor in favor of a Cobra Jet sought improved performance, and there will be potential buyers who will appreciate the upgrade. Such modifications make a car of this caliber worth whatever someone is willing to pay, but history shows buyers will still pay handsomely for a modified Mustang. The lack of supplied information on its mechanical state or rust status makes an in-person inspection seem a wise move, but the No Reserve auction may motivate some to roll the dice. What do you think?
For this I would get old and grey for when completed LOL!!!
Looks fast just standing still!!!
I never knew the big name auction houses sold projects like this.
Howie,
Sometimes the big auction houses end up with “less than stellar” cars because the owner has several really high end cars that the auction company wants, and the owner said sell all or none. But I don’t think this is the case here.
I spy a possible 67 shelby in the background! This guy has two other rare cars going up for auction. 72 R code mach 1 and a 71 boss 351. All in the same condition.
What a hot mess, Gauges and steering wheel are incorrect, both doors are off other cars, and who knows what the motor is or isn’t. Hard pass.
Top picture – gotta love the poor man’s homemade garage! I know of a few towns – mostly suburbs – that would go ape if you built somethin like that on “your” property. lol
joenywf64,
In the late 1980s my restoration shop needed additional storage space for cars. I filed for a building permit to erect a pole barn. County said because I was operating a commercial business under a grandfather clause in a residential neighborhood, & even though every nearby property owner had no objections, the county said no.
So I researched the building codes to establish what constituted a building. About the same time our road was being widened and the utilities put underground. I had given permission to one of the contractors to store materials on my property. On completion of his utility work, he had over 1,500 feet of 6″ round plastic utility pipe and fittings. He said if I wanted it I could have it all, because I had not asked him to pay money & it cost more to move than it was worth to store elsewhere.
We discussed how I could use it to build a frame with the pipes and fittings, covering it with clear plastic greenhouse covers. He also came up with the idea that I could anchor the upright posts to 2X6 pressure treated boards laid flat on the ground, and he happened to have plenty of those boards, they were covered with old concrete and mud, so he couldn’t use them on another job [safety issue]. Plus, by using more boards under the tires of the vehicles in the shelter, the vehicles would anchor the shelter to the ground’s surface, without any part of the structure being below ground.
So I built a structure to hold 8 to 10 cars, depending on the vehicle’s size. When the county found out a couple of years later, I was told to tear it down and pay a hefty fine. My attorneys said we can fight this and win. So the County took me to court. When the judge discovered I had been turned down for a pole barn with no neighborhood objections, and after checking the definitions of what a building was, he declared my structure was a long-term temporary tent, much like those used over tennis courts. Because the tent didn’t have foundations, solid walls & roof, or electric and/or plumbing, it did not require permits.
These can become big projects. I’ve owned 3 ‘69 mach 1s, several BBF model.
The 428 CJ needs reinforced shock towers and subframe connectors to beef up the flex. Worth the effort if you get it at a reasonable price…