41,000! That’s how many 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1s were assembled, and by my count, I think we have reviewed every single one! Well, when enough’s just right, too much is perfect or something like that. Here’s another, but this one is definitely a project and is gonna need some work. Resting its weary bones in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this, “Does not run, has some rust, needs a complete restoration” subject is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $7,700 with the reserve not yet met.
For the longest time, I always equated a Mustang Mach 1 with a Chevrolet Camaro SS. They occupy similar marketing slots, at least from a sporty perspective, but not necessarily from a performance vantage. The Camaro SS always included a performance engine as a starting point whereas that wasn’t the case with the Mach 1 – it could certainly be optioned up however – more on that point to follow. So, what did a Mach 1 include? Stripes, badges, a blacked-out hood with locking pins and a non-functioning hood scoop, a black “honeycomb” valance panel, racing-style, color-keyed exterior mirrors, 70 series tires, sporty wheel covers, and a tauter suspension, among other things – all of the sorts of items one would expect on a car of this nature. The only thing lacking was under the hood where a 250 gross HP 351 CI V8 was standard equipment. Sure, you could select up to a 335 HP 428 CI “Cobra-Jet” V8 powerplant but that’s not the case here, the standard 351 is all she wrote – and it’s a non-runner – it’s not even photographed. The seller’s listing description is parsimonious, to say the least, but there is a Marti report available that confirms many of the original details.
Update 3/22/2025: Since I wrote this post, the seller has added an image of the engine, note above:
How do you like “Grabber Orange”? It’s a neat shade but one that I would likely tire of before too long. Apparently, a previous owner felt the same way and refinished this Mustang in its current shade of medium blue. The finish is badly faded, rust is apparent, and some trim, along with the hood scoop, has taken flight. The wheels, which appear to be Magnum 500s and could be original to this car, are showing signs of deterioration and missing center caps.
As for the interior, it all appears to be in fair shape. The black vinyl bucket seats are a bit grody but will probably clean up well, along with the door panels, but I can’t get a good enough look at the dashpad to determine its condition. One characteristic of this Mustang’s interior that I always thought to be odd, is the placement of the clock – it’s front and center to the passenger seat but seems to be out of the driver’s view. One last observation, this Mach 1 is A/C equipped but I imagine the system is quite a ways away from being functional.
So, we have ten bids from two different bidders and the current bid seems strong considering this car’s condition – there are plenty of things that are not disclosed such as the underside’s integrity and the engine’s rejuvenation prospects. As for the bidding action, I’d suggest it’s already at good money if you can get it; what’s your thought?
Sadly it has that Florida crud rust that permeates every nook and cranny at a glance. I call it steam rust, rains, then sun comes out at 85 degrees in a half hour… Body looks tight, but, everything gets it, seat sliders, to vent handles.
Florida is such a horrible place in so many ways. I was there once. Got off the plane and the heat and humidity hit my chest like a steam roller, could hardly breath. Never have I seen so many bugs that want to get into your every nook and cranny. I even saw an alligator cross the road in front of me. I thought I was at the gates of hell itself.
Sounds like an Adventure :-)
There are multiple photos of the engine and the engine compartment. The Magnum wheels are not original to the car. If they were they would be listed on the Marti report.
Note my comment on that matter in the text of the post. Also, the image of the original wheels in the trunk is newly added too.
JO
I have seen your update regarding the engine photos. Those are not wheels in the trunk, they are hubcaps. This style hubcap came on a lot of 1970 Mach I. Change the center cap and they were also available for the 1970 Cougar.
For a vehicle in this shape and price you would want one will all the Mach 1 bells and whistles ie. at least a 351 Clevland w/shaker, 4 sp Hurst, sport slats, etc,etc.
Looks cool from 20 feet away then I saw pic #16, view from the driver seat, and I was like, “Is that the ground and daylight I see?” Still a good project but just saying looking good from 20 feet doesn’t tell the whole story.
Good catch – another newly added image. Yes, that floor is in rough shape.
JO
Jim, perhaps a better comparison of the Mach 1 to a Camaro would be the R/S. Strickly a “sporty” appearance package with no actual performance aspirations, but with options available to make an actual muscle car, rather than a cruiser posing as one.
Everyone knows any “sports roof” gen1 and 2 mustangs are worth getting back on the road. Total restore? maybe not today or tomorrow but they speak for themselves. You seen coups being restored from a rust dust pile every day. Affordable Sportsroofs aren’t around everyday to the avg joe. Sometimes that’s the only chance a person may have to make a fantastic purchase . Broke down beat up and poof in new owners home putting smiles all around. Avg joes want a project of a lifetime and don’t have the spare 30k+ for a hobby , drive twice a year machine. They find an old one fix it up and drive the beauty all summer. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a “special value package” 70’ Slowly restoring in the works 😃
JO: I think the owner kind of screwed you by adding all the other photos after you had done your write up, but I still think that you did an excellent job of critiquing this vehicle. Mustang fan or not, (and I am not) the current bid should be just about the ceiling for this little darlin’.
Someone is paying $9300 for an incomplete parts car.
Everyone has their demons, some just have more than others.
Agree, it appears that all the badging and cool stuff like the hood pins have been stripped off.
My very light Pastel Blue 1970 Mach1 had a 351 Cleveland with 2 BBL, single exhaust and factory Shaker Hood.
Who would ever order such a Mustang and pay for the Shaker?
Sold it near Chicago. I miss that one :-(
Engine bay looks like it was in some water for a while.
I agree, there’s some serious funkyness going on under the hood. Even if I were a big Mustang fan (which I’m not) I wouldn’t touch this thing at any price.