Lurking under this layer of dust is a car that should have a story to tell. You are looking at a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with its original 428 Cobra Jet V8 under the hood. If that isn’t enough to grab your attention, the fact that the odometer shows a genuine 8,521 miles should seal the deal. Why it has seen such limited use is unclear, but the time has come for it to find a new home. Located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, you will find the Mach 1 listed for sale here on eBay. For a car that is this desirable, the bidding has been respectable but not frantic. It has pushed to $41,500, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

This Mach 1 is a classic that raises so many questions. It is finished in Dark Ivy Green, although the paint isn’t original. It is the color that it rolled off the production line with, but the car received a repaint in 1979. However, the stripes and decals are original, which means that whoever performed the work masked around these items. The paint still holds a respectable shine, and there’s no reason why the Mustang couldn’t be driven as a survivor. The panels are straight, with no noticeable dings or dents. Of course, rust will always be the most pressing question with any 1st Generation Mustang, and here the news is good. The panels are clean, and while there is the occasional light dusting of dry surface corrosion on the vehicle’s underside, there is no penetrating rust. The exterior chrome appears to be in good order, while the original hubcaps and trim rings are perfect. The car was ordered with tinted glass, and this looks to be flawless. The first questions that this classic raises when you consider the information so far is why someone felt the need to treat the Mach 1 to a repaint, and why they didn’t go the whole hog of removing and replacing the stripes and decals during this process.

This is a numbers-matching classic, and its drivetrain combination is enough to make your mouth water. Powering the Mach 1 is a 428 Cobra Jet V8 that should be capable of producing 335hp. All of those galloping ponies find their way to the 3.00 rear end via a 3-speed automatic transmission. The original owner also chose to equip the car with power steering and power front disc brakes. As a combination, this was a potent one. In its prime, this Mach 1 would have roared through the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. The Mustang’s engine bay doesn’t present as well as I would have hoped for a car with only 8,500 miles showing on its odometer. The owner doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify the mileage claim, but there are some things to consider which make it seem plausible. All of the original paint and chalk markings applied on the production line are still present, as is the paper tag on the transmission. While that alone isn’t conclusive, it is reasonable supporting evidence. You would have to wonder why someone would outlay the significant amount of cash for a classic like this and then use it so sparingly over the next 51-years. That’s another question that I would love an answer to. All of the drivetrain and most of the accessories like hoses and the exhaust are original. The car has been fitted with new mufflers, but the rest of the system is as it rolled out of the factory. The Ford runs and drives, although it isn’t clear whether it is roadworthy.

If one aspect of the Mach 1 is in as-new condition, it is the interior. It is upholstered in Black Clarion Knit vinyl. There is nothing that can be criticized here, with no visible wear or issues. The owner says that the vehicle smells like a new car inside, and I find that claim easy to believe. Looking beyond the overall condition, life inside this Mach 1 would have been a pleasant experience. The original owner ordered the car with air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo radio, and a factory tach and trip meter. If it is as original as the seller claims, the interior’s condition would support the mileage claim.

Taken at face value, this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 represents quite a find. A Mach 1 with a 428 Cobra Jet under the hood is always going to be desirable, and one that has clocked less than 9,000 miles during its life is going to push that desirability to a higher level. It is a car that raises many questions, and I would love to know the story behind it. If everything can be verified, that makes it an extraordinary find. It will also leave the buyer facing a dilemma. One of its defining characteristics is the low odometer reading, and every mile traveled could impact its value. The temptation would be to keep it parked to avoid any depreciation. If I were to buy it, I don’t think that I could do that. Classics like these are meant to be driven and enjoyed, and that’s what I’d do. What about you?