Ford’s Mustang went into its sixth year in 1970 and continued to hold the top sales spot in the hot “pony car” market. Despite the all-new second-generation Chevy Camaro having an abbreviated selling season that year, the Mustang would best the Bow-Tie brand by nearly 60%. The seller’s 1970 Mustang looks to have been sitting for some time and is in rough shape. It’s one of several cars being offered in an auction that begins on October 17, 2024
The most visible change on the ’70 vs. the ’69 Mustang was a return to single headlights after a one-year experiment with duals. The engine lineup was mostly the same and the Mach 1 continued to attract buyers to the make. The VIN on this “regular” Mustang identifies it as having had a 302 cubic inch V8 that was rated at 220 hp with a 2-barrel carburetor. Paired with an automatic transmission, this was probably a modestly-optioned car that comprised a lot of the 198,000 deliveries that year.
While rust does not seem to be a major issue on this California car, the body has its share of little imperfections. The light-colored paint has run its course, and the Mustang likely once had a vinyl roof covering that matched the tan interior. The latter may be okay, but it’s certainly very dirty from sitting so long in a structure with a dirt floor.
No mention is made if this Ford runs or when it last did. The odometer reads 60,000 miles and it’s a safe bet that’s correct. From Lucerne Valley, CA, this Mustang’s title/registration was put into non-op status at some point, so the fees of getting the Ford out of hock with the DMV will be lower. The asking price of $475 may also be the starting bid on the auction, so if you’re looking for a restoration project or a cheap parts car, this Mustang might be it. In the meantime, you can find it here on Barn Finds Classifieds.
She could turn the world on with her smile. Oh, yeah, America loved the late Mary Tyler Moore. She was Americas sweetheart, you know, like the single aunt that just couldn’t find a guy,,,she drove a white 1970 Mustang. California? This could be the one. With all the goofiness that comes through here, why not? Even though the show was filmed in L.A., it gave a needed boost to Minneapolis, I read.
This car? On one hand, I understand why it was kept, albeit poorly. However, nice Mustangs are all around, I suppose the cheese here is it’s not some snarling beast, this is what the “Mary Tyler Moores” of the country drove. At about $2771 new, just about any gal with a job could have one, to the tune of almost 200,000 cars. Down some from 1969 at almost 300,000 and continued to slide until the Mustang ll in ’74 at 354,000. Since not many of these cars survived in “Minneapolis”, it makes this a collectible gem. Now, who is up to the task of restoring it? Mmm-hmm, not going to happen.
Back in 1971 I knew a guy that came into the Sohio gas station I worked at to have his oil changed. He had a 1970 White Coupe like this one except it was a 428 SCJ , 4 speed, 4:30 gears. Had a set of crazy headers on it that looked really cool. Also had the ram- air hood . I bet that car is worth the serious dough today.
There used to be a 70 coupe with faded yellow paint a black vinyl top, shaker, blacked out hood treatment with 351 callouts. Someone that work at the AC transit bus yard near my house drove it. Last time I saw it was mid-2000’s, it was a cool and unusual car.
If you want to see some other unusual Mustangs check out Jerry Heasley’s YouTube channel, he used to write monthly “Rare Finds” columns for several publications. He’s fond of early Mustangs and features some interesting cars.
Steve R
I had a 70 coupe, but with a six cylinder and auto. No room in that back seat at all but even with three friends that car was a highway cruiser. Sold mine for fifty bucks to a friend and he ran that thing into the ground further.
After HS, but before trucking, (’74ish) I hung out at a bar in Milwaukee. I didn’t drink much, and was the DD many times. One guy, Jim, had a Mustang very similar to this. HE was a drinker, drank until he got potzed, and somehow made it home many times. They say, God looks out for drunks and little children. Well, one winter evening, at the bar, we decided to go to Fl. It was agreed we’d take my MG and his Mustang. Next morning, ready to go, where’s the Mustang? Well, he said, had a little accident last night, it’s at a local towing co., all it needs is a battery. Okay, when we got to the towing co., the car was totaled. Not sure what he hit, but the right front wheel was stuffed in the passenger floor. Anyone that would have been a passenger would have been killed. Drunks and little children,,,