Let’s be frank; we cover 1970 Ford Mustangs out the yin-yang. I know this because I searched to see if this convertible specimen had been covered before here on BF. Nope, no coverage, but it seemed like every other ’70 assembled had hit our webpages at some point. Normally, I’d pass on reviewing another, but this citizen of Granite Falls, Washington, is just too much of a looker to take a pass. Those with an interest will find it here on craigslist where it’s available for $23,950. Thanks are due to Scott for this tip!
One of the attractive aspects of this Mustang is the fact that it’s just an ordinary Mustang convertible, not a Grande, Mach I, Bossasaurus of some kind – no pretension, just an enjoyable drop-top ride. Parsing the numbers, the convertible body style was responsible for 7,600 copies in ’70, or just 4% of the 190K total that left one of several Ford assembly lines (this example originated at San Jose, CA). This 85 K-mile example is sporting ocean deep Calypso Coral paint, topped with a white folding top. The seller refers to it all as “factory,” which I guess is a nod to originality unless he means any rejuvenation has been performed to reflect born-with characteristics, such as the exterior respray. The body of this convertible is arrow straight, and the underside image reveals a clean and rust-free structure. The seller does mention, however, some corrosion that has manifested itself along the lower passenger side door and quarter panel, essentially reducing this car to a “twenty-footer.” Added is, “Get closer and the deficiencies become apparent. There are touch-ups & bubbles. From what we can see, it has seen a single repaint.” The Magnum-style wheels appear to be a deviation from stock as they’re not referenced on the accompanying Marti report, but they do this Mustang justice.
Giddyup is provided by a 250 gross HP, 351 CI V8 engine saddled up to a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller states, “Under the hood, the original Numbers Matching 351 runs well. The transmission goes into gear and shifts properly.”
The white vinyl knit upholstery is all new, as are the door panels, and that seems logical as the environment is just too nice to be original; white is a bear to keep clean, and “yellowing” seems to be an inevitability of white or parchment interiors. The goodness continues throughout with the dash, instrument panel, and carpet – there’s even an eight-track player in place! This is an A/C equipped car, but the system is non-functional and, according to the seller, “will need a total servicing.”
What’s not to like here? Nothing that I can conjure, other than maybe the price, but that’s always a matter for consideration. And speaking of price, what’s your thought? At $23,950, priced right or not quite?
It looks great!! Price seems fair, but not looking too good under the hood.
Hi Barn Finders
One question, the engine compartment. Why does everything look crunchy? But the air cleaner!!!! Or is just me.
Radiator is pretty shiny too.
Striking and eye-catching and desirable car. Studying the pics and reading the seller’s (good) verbiage, the car is probably not as good as one would hope. Rust forming on the right side, the underhood condition, etc. makes it a “20 footer” as the seller notes. Well-equipped. Originally sold in Palm Springs.
Improve, or just drive?
A car with that much rust on the AC compressor and pulleys tells me that anything below that has a good chance of being rusty too. Need a real close look at this one before putting the money down.
The ad reads like it was bought to flip. This is a deal for the other guy – at this price, it is an appreciate and move on car for me.
Buyer, good luck getting that asking price.
Well it really couldn’t be Mach I, Grande, or Boss. Grande was a couple option, and all Mach I and boss cars were fastbacks.
You could get a GT convertible in 69.
Steve R
The reason it’s such a “looker” as you say is simply the way the white POPS out of the orange or red .I will never understand the “black interior only ” crowd .I guess that’s why 90 % of the cars on the road today are Grey,white or black with grey/black interior .
” yea ,I’ll take that grey on grey Aston Martin ,and to make sure no one can differentiate it from a Kia, let’s throw the grey wheels on ‘er too .”
I agree with others that this might be a case of good from far,but far from good.
Turning this one into better than a “twenty footer”, will take some money and muscle, so at a price $50 shy of $24k, it’s a bit overpriced. At $12k, maybe, but $24k is a steep ask for something showing bubbles under the paint in the doors and rocker panels. The 351 can be woken up by swapping out the two-barrel intake for either a four-barrel or EFI and opening up the exhaust. No mention on if that 351 is Cleveland or a Windsor, though.
It’s a Windsor, the Cleveland wasn’t introduced until 1970.
Steve R
My mistake, I didn’t look at the date of the car, since it’s a 1970 it could have had a 351 Cleveland, though this is a Windsor. If you look at the upper hose, you will see it enters the thermostat housing horizontally, that means it’s a Windsor, radiator hoses on Cleveland’s enter the thermostat housing vertically. It’s the quick and easy way to tell which engine you are dealing with, it’s something we learned when we were hitting the local Pick N Pull yards in the mid-80’s through mid-90’s.
Steve R
Thanks for the assist. Like a dummy, I asked the question before I looked at the craigslist ad, where the owner says it’s a Windsor! Doh! Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa!
it’s a windsor
Just a point of interest, the Cleveland and Windsor engines are also differentiated by their valve covers.
Ok so it’s a standard 70 Mustang cov.but I’ve seen a lot less classic for more than the ask for this car. So I give a big thumbs up on this one and it’s asking price.
I thought that the wood accents in the interior were a Grande thing?
Nope. The Woodgrain accents are just part of the Deluxe interior. Or Decor group as it was called on the Marti Report. Grande was only available on the coupe.
Great color combo for a convertible and lots of options with the bigger engine option. I’m afraid you’d have to do a lot of rust repair and refinishing of everything metal on the car to get it looking better than a 20 footer though.