The Grande was the Mustang’s more luxurious trim level offered between 1969-73. It was limited to hardtop models and was a contrast to the beefier Mach 1. With it you got an upgraded interior with imitation wood trim and more sound deadening material that led to a quieter, smoother ride. The seller’s car is a first-year Grande, a project that needs sheet metal work as well as mechanical attention. It currently sits atop jack stands in a garage in Blackfoot, Idaho and is available here on eBay. The seller has set a Buy It Now price of $2,900 but will entertain offers. Kudos to Larry D for bringing us this tip!

Out of some 300,000 Mustangs built for 1969, 22,182 were of the Grande flavor. With a starting price of $2,849, the Grande was $231 more than a standard Mustang coupe to start with. The extra bucks got rich-looking (but fake) wood appliques on door panels, instrument panel and the glove box. Bucket seats were vinyl with hopsack cloth inserts. There were also door panel courtesy lights and bright pedal pads. To this, you could add an optional vinyl hardtop roof in either black or parchment, having a leather-like appearance. Wire-spoke wheel covers (which the seller’s car no longer has) added to the luxury angle and there were two-tone narrow paint stripes and racing-style side mirrors on the sides.

The most challenging work on this 1969 will be related to the body. The seller says it needs a “decent amount of rust repair” which may go further than that. Since the wheel openings and lower quarters have been chewed on, new rear quarters may be needed. The passenger side rear floor pan will need patching or replacing and there is a big hole in the floorboard seen from underneath (while may be the same spot). The driver’s side front fender has a gouge in it and the car’s color was changed at some point from lime green to dark green. We’re told all the parts are there to put to car back together, including the front bumper, grille and valance panel.

Under the hood is an engine waiting to be completed. The seller says the 351 cubic inch motor has been recently “refreshed”, so does that mean it was rebuilt? A lot of items will need to be added back, such as a new Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor in the box. There are also long-tube headers ready to be installed, so someone wanted to add a bit of muscle to this Grande. Presumably, things like the radiator are still around AND serviceable to complete the mechanical end of the project.

The interior is original and may be good except for the seat covers. The wraparound dash pad looks to have survived intact the last 50 years. These cars can be worth north of $20,000 when in top condition, so the seller’s asking price leaves room to fund a restoration. But is $17,000 enough to finish the job? A 1969 Mustang isn’t a rare sight these days, but I can’t think of the last time I saw the Grande edition of one.