For some reason the ’70 is one of my favorite model year Mustangs, I like the body style and the clean appearance of the front end. The ’70 Boss 302 is on my bucket list of cars to own. Even though there were more coupes built, it seems like we see more fastbacks for sale. The ’70 convertible like we have here is even more unusual. This convertible is said be a one owner, original paint car with a Mach 1 wood grain interior package. Find it here on eBay in Vancouver Washington for $11,000 BIN.
It’s not the most desirable model, but this Mustang still has a lot going for it. According to the ad, this is a 1 owner survivor with 117k miles in very original condition. The paint is original but far from perfect, the worst of the damage being the left rear quarter panel. Some rust is noted around the bottom of the doors and the floors have some rust as well. The engine is a 302 2V attached to an automatic, no engine pictures are included. The white top is original, it is worn but has no holes.
The interior is said to be a deluxe wood grain which is usually only found in the Mach 1. The originality extends inside and keeps with the theme of the car; original but used and not perfect. The carpet is worn and showing its age, the driver’s seat is worn and the dash has some cracking. Basically, the interior needs a refresh. The steering wheel looks more like an LTD wheel to me but it’s probably factory, although I think a 3 spoke wheel would have been in the Mach 1.
I am usually an advocate for keeping it original, but I would understand if someone did some tasteful upgrades to this one. The car is just a little too worn to keep in this condition and it’s not a rare model. The car is said to run and drive well with a fresh tune up and rebuilt carb. What are your thoughts on this one, keep it original, restore or change it up with some upgrades?
Steering wheel is correct for the car. Faux wood dash was probably an option. Three spoke rimblow was probably an option. I have a 70 cougar eliminator with the two spoke steering wheel and yes the three spoke looks better.
It’s actually called the Deluxe interior option…fairly popular actually.
The reason that the steering wheel looks like one from an LTD is because from 1970-1973 Ford used the same steering wheel in most of its products, both the 2 and 3 spoke versions. The only difference was the emblem and the woodgrain placed in the center of the pad.
Mustang Grande models had that wheel with the same faux woodgrain as this and the Mach One. As referenced elsewhere, this was an optiona package interior when not tied to Mach or Grande. It is pretty common on convertibles – I imagine they were pretty expensive to begin with and thus optioned up pretty well.
I think a lot of Hardtops (casually called coupes) rusted away and/or were parted out to support Sportsroofs (casually called fastbacks) and convertibles. Versus Sportsroofs, many more Hardtops were basic, I6-powered cars and just became cheap, used cars for quite some time. Even base/non-Mach/non-Boss Sportsroofs aren’t all together too common anymore for the same reason. Machs and Bosses were saved at much higher rates, as were the more loaded Grandes (though to a MUCH lesser degree!); so they’re disproportionately represented today.
I’m biased, but I like oddballs, like big block and/or manual convertibles and my own 1970 Grande with 351C and Grabber Blue paint (built with a four-speed, no less).
I too have a soft spot for the Grandes. I still own my 1st and 2nd cars, first being a 65 A code 4spd mustang, 2nd is a M code 69 Grande now with a 408 stroker. Had them since 1983/85 respectively. Both are fairly low mile cars, I’m the 2nd owner of the 65, with 68k on it, and 2nd on the 69 Grande as well with 48k on the clock. I love the 69/70’s…but the 69s are my favorite. I bought an all #’s matching, 100% original sheet metal 69 mach 1 with the 428scj drag pack shaker, 4spd, and 3.91 trac lock rear and am the 3rd owner since July of 2000, and since then collected 3 more 69s that I am working on (one being a Q code mach 1 with the 428cj non ram air, a 67 S code hardtop, and a 70 base coupe with a 302 that I was going to part out due to rust, but just can’t bring myself to do it.
Cars are still out there for reasonable and even great prices…but you have to work for them. I picked up the S code 67 with new sheet metal included, missing it’s 390 and 4spd, but still had the pedals and 9″ rear – all for $300…3 yrs ago. 2 yrs ago I bought the 70 coupe which was complete minus the 302..has the c4 and an 8″ in it..for $200. Miss the early 80s when 428cj mach 1s could be bought for $2k or less.
I think keeping this original would be more fun. Having mach 1 stripes all over it or something similar would kind of ruin it’s pure look. I had a 69 and a 70 convertible and was always glad they flew under the “collector” radar, making them affordable. That steering wheel is original. Love the color too. The rust is a bummer however.
Love the color & the dog dish hubcaps. I’m not sure if its the lighting, but the driver’s side front fender & headlight surround look a slightly lighter shade of blue than the hood.
Slap some SS Cragers and a 4bbl then drive the snot out of it.
I’m with SLICK. Build the 302 to the hilt, Cragar S/S wheels (or slot mags) with fat tires out back, maybe a roll bar. And just have a rad and fairly unique convertible street machine.
Personally, I liked the 69’s more. Looks like this thing has some rust issues that are really starting to pop. No pictures of the undercarriage or engine bay are kinda scary. No way I’d but it without seeing it in person first.
My wife had the hardtop version of this car in the late Seventies. The 302 was fun but the handling and braking was terrible compared to my Camaro 350. We would lose the brakes on the Mustang driving thru puddles in any heavy rain. Sadly the car was done in by a rusted out firewall. Sold the car to someone who wanted the 302
Can we say Mustang Grande ?
You could still get an interior decor group in 70, would be a 76B body code if anyone can read the sticker. Seats and dash are correct for decor group which is different from Grande. Weird thing is that decor group cars had standard door panels, but this one has the Mach 1 panels. Possibly different because it is a convertible?
Just verified that the convertible decor option cars came with the Mach 1/Grande’ style door panels. Never knew that! Coupes and fastbacks had standard door panels with the decor option.
As well as the boss 9
All Grandes are Hardtops, but not all Hardtops are Grandes. A lot of basic Hardtops appears on CL and eBay listed as Grandes, but really aren’t.
Steering wheel is correct as the rimblow was a option, for 11K it would be a decent driver for someone to get into the hobby if the undercarriage isn’t rotted out. Being a vert the chicks would love it.
I always wanted a 70 Mustang convertible. I was born in 70 and wanted a Mustang as old as me.
If you have the time and skills, repro parts are out there so the rust can be fixed at “reasonable” costs. Seems worth saving if the correct person gets it at the right price. Not a muscle car for sure but it could be a sweet weekend ride to where ever…..
The 302 is a bit anemic for a car weighing that much, a 351 C or 429 will screw right in but for most women, the 302 should be fine–as will the rust as long as the radio works well.
“For some reason the ’70 is one of my favorite model year Mustangs”
The ’69 is the best-looking Ford ever built.
Can’t argue with ya Ken on the ’69’s. But, I’m impartial to the ’67 fastback….back in the day, it was my second car. After my first mustang! ;)
Can’t argue that, Ken.
Can’t argue with ya Ken on the ’69’s. But, I’m impartial to the ’67 fastback….back in the day, it was my second car. After my first mustang! ;)
Can’t argue that, Ken.
The interior is called the “deluxe” interior and included woodgrain dash, door panels, console. All Mach 1s had the deluxe interior in both 1969 and 1970. Yes, even Boss 429s could be ordered with the deluxe interior.
The Deluxe Interior was optional only on the 70 Boss 429. In 69 there was one interior choice: black “Comfortweave” knitted vinyl on high-back bucket seats.
All Boss 429s came with the Deluxe Group interior in 1969, though a fold-down rear seat wasn’t available because the car’s battery was mounted in the trunk.
Boss 429s were originally ordered as partially finished 428scj sportsroofs, with the V code (3.91 Trac-Loc) rear end. This also provided the engine oil cooler that was standard on the SCJ and Boss 429.
Owned this model blue ’70 convertible in the 70s. Trim is correct, but don’t/can’t see the center console(for my 8 tracks, lol). Split rear window is authentic.
It came with 4W drum brakes, which is why there are so few left, spun out/wrecked on wet pavement.
I’d buy it and restore, but put disk brakes on it, and 4Bbl with aftermarket dual exhaust.