When is a Ford Mustang not a Mustang? When it’s a T5 Mach 1. Confused? I was until I read the listing for this 1970 T5 Mach 1, located in Hampton, South Carolina and available here on eBay with a current bid of $3,550, reserve not yet met.
Back in 1970, Ford wanted to sell Mustangs in Germany but due to the copyright ownership of the name “Mustang” by a German company, Ford decided to rename the car instead of paying a licensing fee. The seller tells us that there were 86 Mach I T5’s produced by Ford in ’70 that were destined to Germany. Hemmings puts the total number of T5’s at 337 so we are working with a very small subset of total Mustang production. Hemmings further claims that the whereabouts of only 24 T5’s are known, 10 of those 24 being Mach I’s. So, what’s the biggest difference between a Mustang and a T5? It appears to be just the removal of the “Mustang” nameplate. The seller says there is a T5 badge on the front fenders but I cannot discern it from the available images.
This T5 is a Mach 1 “M” code which means for power it has a 300 horsepower 351 CI “Cleveland” V8. As Ford aficionados know, ’70 was the first year for the Cleveland 335 series engine. The listing claims that the “motor turns free and oil looks OK” so it may or may not actually run. Behind the 351 is a three-speed automatic transmission.
This Ford has problems underside. The seller states, “Needs floor pans, rear part of trunk floor, lower part of torque boxes, drop-offs, and lower rear quarter patch panels.” As you can see from the accompanying image, integrity problems abound. This Mach I is going to need a lot of metalwork.
The body on this Mach 1 is, how shall I say it? Banged up. It doesn’t seem to be too far gone but there are a lot of dents and ripples that will need attention. This is labor-intensive work that just ends up being time-consuming and expensive. There is definitely something to work with here but depending on how original you want to go with this T5 will determine time, effort and dollars.
The interior is grungy. Like the body, not too far gone, the upholstery actually looks to be intact, but it’s going to need a lot of cleaning and restoration. The floor damage is not visible from the interior. The large rust spot on the passenger side foot-well mat tells me the heater core has let go.
There are two things here to consider. The first is the value and expense to acquire and restore a 1970 “M” code Mach I Mustang. The second is to figure if the “T5” designation adds enough additional value to go for an example like this car as opposed to staying with the best “Mustang” Mach I that you can find in your price range. This one is a real education for me, I was not aware of these T5 designated versions – it’s really an interesting story and they do appear to quite rare. What do you think, does the rarity of the T5 designation, knowing this car’s condition, make this Mach I more attractive in terms of collectibility value than a regular Mustang Mach I?
I know I may sound negative here but would it be necessary to travel across the pond to locate a rusty beat-up Mustang…? Bringing it to the US isn’t excactly cheap.
As for the T5 designation I’ve never heard of it either but again I’m no typical Ford guy. Will probably be an interesting ice-breaker for the inner circle of Mustang enthusiasts but doubt it’ll really add any value in $
Did you read the listing ? its In Hampton, South Carolina, United States And this car will need a LOT of work, bidding is over 4k already that is about all i would give for it good luck to the new owner LOL
Yup; I did read the listing. But how do you think it got back on US soil – driven on its wheels…?
Usually crews would sell off their cars before going back as US personell had ‘benefits’ regular European autobuyers could dream of – easy way to earn some cash and American cars were always a hot commodity
I’d say this car was purchased by a US serviceman stationed in Germany and he bought it back to the States when he returned home.
I believe Ford primarily sold Mustangs in the US due to the large amount of US forces stationed there at the time.
I’ve been told as a service man you’re vehicle can be shipped home for you as part of your return package. Not sure if it is true, but my terminator was originally purchased in Alaska and shipped to Atlanta with a soldier.
If it is a true T5, then there were only 377 produced in 1970. The car would have to be verified. Here are the production numbers for the T5, not counting 65/66 which has been lost, http://www.fordt5.com/registry.html and an interesting article about the T5 https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2017/01/12/german-for-mustang. You would have to do research on this one and it probably was brought here by someone in the military. Note: The DSO for the T5 could be anywhere from 90-99 and not all went to Germany, the Marti report does not reflects this.
to high give 2,000 dollars needs to much work money limited.
From memory, T5’s were sold in Germany primarily for US military personnel based there.
Apart from the badge, the speedo should be in kilometres/hour, I looked at a 68 T5 coupe with 3spd manual back in the 80’s in Perth West Australia, didn’t buy it but i’d Guess it’s still in Australia.
The T5 designation began in 65 when Ford began selling Mustangs in Germany. I saw a 65 fastback in Heidelberg about 10 years ago that had T5 emblems.
Ok, if it runs, who’s brave enough to sit in the driver’s seat and hit it?
Looks like the engine has been replaced and is no longer an M-code 4v but an H-code 2v. Either way with the rust there in the floor pan it would be scary.
Finding parts will be very very hard to get like Pans and interior as not many were made in Germany 🇩🇪. 😏
Okay having a little fun…. i know regular mustang parts.
I have seen T 5s sale on and off for a while …
Here’s one in OHIO
https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/1966-ford-t5-gt-convertible-super-rare-german-export-mustang-4sp-ps-db-ss-wheels.983434/
I’m not a Ford guy but this is a Mustang, except for the badging. Pretty sure you can even buy repro T5 badges, the sheet metal, interior except the aforementioned speedometer are all standard Mustang parts. One of the best things about restoring Mustangs is the HUGE availability of parts, and they are substantially less expensive than their GM and MOPAR counterparts.
Not really, the have been sold through German Ford dealers with own sales literature printed in german to everyone
When I was stationed in Europe and was reassigned to the US I had the option of shipping my 62 Impala back at government expense. I decided to sell it to a friend of mine who I still keep in touch with 45 years later.
With owning more than 20 Mustangs, the T-5 never impressed, sorry. It’s the same as a Mach 1s here in the states. A conversation piece, yes. Worth more than an American version because it is a T-5, uh…no. JMHO Up to 8999.00 now. Good luck to the new owner, I’ll pass.
This should not sell for any more than a stateside mustang. Maybe some collector would find some rarity in the export history. I found and bought a 1973 mach 1 T5 that needed a ton of metal work. I tried to find the T5 badges to no avail. All they are are a 66 style GT badge with theT5 insert. These are rare, try to find one at any mustang show.
I never understand someone taking the time to see that the engine is free and then not attempting to start it, or did he try unsuccessfully already and doesn’t want to say that.
It would add a lot if the buyer new the engine ran. Always throws a flag up for me.
Yep…what Scott said….when my recently retired from service Dad started getting into early Stangs about 1975 we stated learning about these….service guys brought sports cars back starting after WWII…..
Of course, I just gotta know…did the Mach 1’s sold in Germany have smog pumps, basically were they tuned for federal emmisions in the USA? Or not….hmmm.
Don’t matter here as this is a pile of junk really, but my curiosity got the better of me here.
T minus 5 for this heap to collapse into itself….
I purchased the car. It is real deal T5 Mustang, have marti report 1 of 86. Car is highly rare and valuable. Scottsdale 2017 Barrett Jackson 4speed sold for 110k
Glad to see it found a new home. There is a T-5 group on facebook that is a good thing to belong to and a T-5 registry.
I currently own a 1970 Mach 1 t-5 I also had the Marty Report done on it and also mine is in KLM not MPH. This was one of 35 that were sold to German Civilians. I am proud of my car and was lucky to find it.