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Cobra Jet Project: 1969 Mustang Mach 1

Yes this Mustang has clearly seen better days, but this massive project might just be worth all the hard work it’s going to take to revive! You see, this Mach 1 is a 428 Cobra Jet equipped car that someone stripped apart to restore. They fixed some of the rust issues, but for one reason or another they never finished. Thankfully, the mighty 428 is still with the car, well at least the seller believes it’s the original engine to the car. You can find this project here on eBay with an opening bid of just $100 and no reserve!

As you can see, this car really has been fully stripped apart and is going to need every nut and bolt restored. The seller does include lots of photos of the piles of parts, so you can at least get a basic idea of what you are getting yourself into.

Here’s the 428 Cobra Jet engine, which at one time producing 335 horsepower and 440 foot pounds of torque. There’s no word as to whether it is seized up or not and given how much surface rust there is, it’s not looking hopeful. At least the major components are here and it’s out of the car waiting to be dropped off at the machine shop. Let’s just hope there’s no major issues that will keep if from being rebuilt.

This really is going to be a huge undertaking, but the no reserve auction does make it more appealing. For the right price, this would be a killer project for anyone who’s dreamed of restoring a big block Mustang! The real question is, are you up to the task?

Comments

  1. Avatar doug

    The best comment of the ad is ” Lost of work has been done to get to this level.” That says it all!

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  2. Avatar Dairymen

    Good thing you can buy reproduction parts to build a new car. You’re buying basically an engine, a VIN plate and a title.

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  3. Avatar Karl Kretschmar

    Doesn’t look like a 428…More like a 429/460. The 428CJ was an FE engine.

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    • Avatar Bob

      Yep, that is definitely not an FE engine.

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    • Avatar Moxman

      That’s the very first thing I noticed in this ad. That motor is NOT an FE engine. It’s more likely a 429/460 out of a Lincoln or Mercury. So here we go again. A once, really cool car with all of the parts that made it special…missing! Doesn’t seem to be of much value, with all the good stuff missing.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Mustang Mike

      Not an FE Not a 460/429. Possibly a 400 modified.

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    • Avatar MARK TILTON

      Right, Thats a 460 oval ports, the 428 was a tight fit this will need a TORCH—

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  4. Avatar obabobber

    looks like a 429 not an fe block

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  5. Avatar Jack

    Lol, “the engine is supposed to be matching”
    No word if it is a 4 speed or automatic transmission.
    It does look like a project. Whoever gets into this is definitely going know every inch of their restored Mustang.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dave

      It’s a matching Ford engine I guess.

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  6. Avatar Jim

    That’s no 428CJ engine. Looks like a 351 Cleveland.

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    • Avatar Dave

      When I was a teen my buds mom had a ’70 Fairlane 2door with a 3 5 1 cleaver 2bbl. That thing flew.

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      • Avatar jwinters

        cool story bro

        Like 0
  7. Avatar DrinkinGasoline

    Run Forest…Run ! That’s a 460 short block as pictured.

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  8. Avatar Donzi 16

    Looks like a Cleveland.

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    • Avatar Rock

      Yes, definitely a Cleveland. The engine is not original to the car. The Cleveland didn’t come out until 1970.

      Like 0
  9. Avatar JW

    No matter what this pony is it’s not for the faint of heart or small bank account.

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  10. Avatar Dr

    Put it to the grave. Nothing left except a few parts

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Grumpy

    All I can say is why?! As other’s have said, not a 428. FE has narrow head’s.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Rob'sGT

    “They are more parts than shown on the pictures.”

    “but what you see on the pictures is what is there.”

    Anyone else confused?

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Rob S.

    That engine is a 2V cleveland! Way too much work to do on this one. Others out there that are in better shape. Let’s face it, 428 CJ 69 mustangs are not that hard to come by.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar CarNut from Winnipeg Member

    At our local show last week I saw a 1969 Mach 1, 351 and a 1970 Mach 1 428 CJ Drag Pack. The 1970 was original owner 47000 mile car. I will try to attach a photo.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar CarNut from Winnipeg Member

    No luck with pic. Hit that firewall some commenters have recently complained of.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Dennis Losing

    Obvious a 351 Cleveland as others stated but I guess u buy the VIN number

    Like 0
  17. Avatar george

    It looks like a Aussie block (square cast ) as US blocks were D cast

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  18. Avatar Jeff T.

    if some one advertises a cleveland as an FE it throws a ? over the integrity of the sale.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Jim

    Nothing rare about a Q code, they made 1,000’s. You can buy a fully restored R code, which has more value for around 50k. This thing is toast and that’s coming from a guy who’s been restoring Mustangs for 30+ years and knows how to piece them together.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Gustave VonHindenberg

      Mr Jim. You are the man who can tell right away of “what you see is what you get” comment. Is this car worth it to me, a low experienced car restorer. How much, ballpark figure, parts only, to restore??$$??
      How about getting it roadworthy. Daily driver, NO Trailer Queen, or King…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Jim

        Hello Gustave,

        This Mach 1 Q code is a major undertaking. It has had most of it’s structural integrity destroyed in an effort to start restoration and they didn’t take the time to brace it correctly. In the car world, you can repair just about anything but this will take a very experienced welder/metal guy just to get the body back where it can be useful. If you can perform that kind of work and have access to or can build a frame jig and set it on a rotisserie, it could be worth it but the funds to bring her back to even a driver will be more than what it’s final value will be given the current market. Also, if you plan on going through the work of getting the body correct, you might as well go all the way and restore it completely. I actually tried to buy this car as it’s not far from me and I just missed the end of the auction. I had planed to make a track car out of it since it was so chopped up. If you were the buyer, I think you got a good deal providing the original 428CJ, trans and rear end came with it. Depending on the parts that are still usable and/or restoreable, plan on spending about $50k to $70k to bring it back as a decent restoration, concourse would be about another $30k easy. If you don’t plan to take it on, I would be interested in buying it from you if the price isn’t that far out there. I’m happy to help in any way even if you plan to keep it an restore it, you can also reach me at bigblueovalfan@gmail.com or 949-370-8699.

        Like 0
  20. Avatar Don

    If you are interested I have a 428CJ (needs Cam) with a C6 auto trans and various other good parts left over from my total restoration.

    Like 0

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