Sometimes the story behind a classic can be as interesting as the car itself. Take this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 as a prime example. The first owner followed an unusual path when purchasing the vehicle, and the rest of its life was no less fascinating. It recently emerged from hiding and is ready to find a new home as a straightforward restoration project. The seller has listed the Mach 1 here on eBay in Palm Springs, California. They set their BIN at $27,900 for a classic deserving a second chance at life after decades hibernating.
The fascinating story of this Mustang starts on Day One. When a buyer walks into a showroom with plans to buy a new car, they typically focus on the latest and greatest that the manufacturer has to offer. However, this Mustang’s first lady owner entered the Ford dealership in January 1970, intent upon buying a brand new 1969 Mach 1. The reasons were two-fold. She had her heart set on one wearing Acapulco Blue paint, and she wanted the M-Code 351ci Windsor V8, not the Cleveland powerplant introduced by Ford for the 1970 model year. Another requirement was that her Mach 1 wasn’t to sport front or rear spoilers, as she deemed these “too racy.” Following a spot of innovative dealer trading, she drove away in the car of her dreams. The Mustang was driven and enjoyed by the owner on sunny days until one fateful day in 1982 when her nephew “liberated” the car from its garage without her permission, treating it to a poorly-applied coat of White paint to disguise its identity. The long arm of the law caught up with the nephew, and the car was returned to its owner. The whole episode was so traumatizing that the owner parked the car soon after, and it remained in hiding until it was inherited by her son. He only recently decided to part with this classic that hasn’t seen active service since 1983. The story is convoluted and tinged with sadness, but there is good news for potential buyers. The storage environment was close to ideal because this Mustang remains effectively rust-free. There is evidence of surface corrosion in many areas, but there is no steel penetration. The floors, rails, torque boxes, shock towers, and battery tray are sound, with the car retaining 100% of its original Ford steel. There is no evidence of Bondo or other repairs, making this a sound foundation for a restoration project. However, it would be best not to get too carried away, because treating the existing corrosion would be wise to prevent future deterioration. Therefore, a nut-and-bolt approach would be worthwhile to protect this classic as a long-term investment. The Mach 1 retains its original glass and trim, but only an in-person inspection will confirm whether this is fit for service once this classic has been treated to the TLC it deserves.
The originality of this Mach 1 extends beyond the steel, with the car retaining its numbers-matching drivetrain. The first owner received the M-Code 351ci V8 she wanted, along with a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The engine produced 290hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, and while there were more potent combinations available in 1969, this Mustang would have received respect for its performance potential. Following its 1982 escapades, the first owner parked the car in 1983, and it hadn’t fired a shot until being rescued by the seller. They worked through a thorough process to revive the engine, which now runs nicely without producing smoke or odd noises. The transmission engages Drive and Reverse successfully, but there is still a fair way for the buyer to go before the car is considered roadworthy. However, the work already performed represents an excellent starting point.
One aspect of this Mustang showing its age is the interior. The list of items requiring replacement includes the front seatcovers, the dashpad, and most of the faux woodgrain trim pieces. The door trims appear to be slightly damaged, but the included listing images make it impossible to determine the extent of the problem. The Sport Deck rear seat looks quite good, and the factory radio still functions. The first owner equipped the interior with air conditioning, but this will need attention before it blows cold again.
The story behind this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 will add nothing to its potential value but is, nonetheless, interesting and worth retelling by the new owner. It has led an adventurous life but spent way too long in hiding. Cars like this were designed to be driven and enjoyed, and the seller has commenced that process by reviving its V8. Someone needs to treat this Mustang to the TLC it richly deserves before returning it to its rightful place on our roads. Would you be tempted by a classic with such a colorful past, or will you pass on this occasion?
It looks not to be a rustang. A couple underneath pix shots would’ve been good to insure the torque boxes and frame rails are in great shape. I definitely would return the car back to the original color. The engine will likely need to be freshened up with a rebuild and converting the heads over to unleaded fuel. I like the car and know it’s what the market will bear but think its a 15 grand car at best due to the cost to get it back on the road with new paint.
Good luck with getting this pony out of its coral!
It might be worth the $25k as it is. The value is $55k restored. Relatively minimal bodywork so paint shouldn’t be too expensive. The engine runs like new. Needs an interior, brakes, engine detail. Presenting this without a Marti report though is a mistake.
You are right, any seller of a performance model Ford or Pontiac should spend the minimal needed to get a Marti report or PHS documentation. It’s almost expected at this point in time. It’s surprising this seller didn’t put it front and center.
Steve R
no retso is easy. i love how sellers throw that out there. if it’s so easy then you do it then sell it!
they’re always “easy” if you’re the seller. And I wouldn’t be afraid of the rust I can see on this car. It’s the rust I can’t see.
With what body shops are getting for a high-quality paint job these days, this is unrealistically priced. With the price they are asking and the cost to prep and paint it, you are getting dangerously close to restored value without even touching everything else that needs attention.
Worth restoring. Just wish there was a better pic of the battery area as the pic from the left front showing the engine bay looks like you can see ground through the inner fender
Nothing that a couple of turns from a screwdriver wouldn’t fix.
Easy.
Bingo! If bought at listed price, correct paint and body, about $30k. Leaves alot left to do, to bring up to correct resto condition. For someone with skills, get it for $15k, fix, shoot primer, fix as you drive.
I beg to differ. If you bought this thing for $27,900, you would easily be over 35K after body and paint. This car simply doesn’t pencil out.
Pretty sure V12 was saying to get quality paint and body it will cost one on average of 30k alone for that. Not that the purchase price of the Mustang and the body and paint will cost that. Heck, as expensive as good paint materials have gotten, at the current purchase price, just buying solely the paint materials would put one over 30k.
Paint materials are $1,500 at most. A $15k paint budget Is reasonable. Then you have $15k to do the misc. and the interior over time.
Let’s say you’re correct. Does 60K for a ’69 Mach 1 with a 351 Windsor and an automatic sound reasonable?
Yes, $55k Is reasonable for a survivor car with 84,000 original miles, matching numbers, the engine has never been out and it even has the original carburetor. I’ve seen one sell for $62k. It’s not something that’s going to sell in a week, but I think it would appraise for $60k.
Mike76; You may very well be right.
Bought one that looked exactly like this back in ’82 for $850. Was a Mn car. Rear frame rails completely rotted away and drove springs through trunk. 351W/3spd as well. Rebuilt motor and tranny and transplanted to ’69 Fairlane 500 fastback out of Colorado. No salt, no rust. Sweet ride.