Measuring Interest: 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1

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Brace yourselves: we have a seller that’s looking for offers in order to “measure the interest” in this barn find 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1. These types of listings grind my gears, as there’s no shortage of pricing guides that could tell you exactly what this Mustang is worth. Regardless, it is a survivor-grade Mach 1 seen here on craigslist that should bring a good number if it’s as honest as presented. 

The Mach 1 retains its desirable features, despite being parked in an outbuilding for 15 years: 351 Cleveland 4V, Shaker Hood, FMX Auto, PS, PB, A/C, Deluxe Interior. Front and rear spoiler, window slates, trunk wing spoiler. The Marti report is said to confirm all of this info, and the seller notes no major deviations from stock have been made.

The seller says the interior is in “excellent” condition, and I see no reason to dispute that claim. The automatic is a bummer, but there’s nothing else to fault in the interior from where I’m sitting. The faux woodgrain looks quite decent, along with the door panels, and the seller believes you could drive this Mach 1 as-is or perform a total restoration.

The rear window louvers and spoiler complete the look of this Mach 1, but the wheels leave me a bit uninspired. I love these cars with the dog-dish hubcaps and gray steelies underneath, but that’s my only real complaint – other than the “fishing for offers” approach the seller is taking. Are original Mach 1s still commanding a good price, or is this seller’s hope for a big offer just wishful thinking?

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Comments

  1. Jeff

    The market is on the decline for Shelbys, and is likely starting to fall for “special” Mustangs like the Mach 1 and Boss models. This one should still fetch a good return, but the seller should do his/her research up front and put it out with a price. “Measuring interest” is another way of saying “I want top dollar, but I’m too lazy to look into it.”

    Like 44
    • Steve R

      I thought “measuring interest” meant they wanted more than top dollar. Either way, it’s a guarantee the seller isn’t serious and will more than likely be difficult to deal with.

      Steve R

      Like 21
  2. G.W.Gilmore

    I’d like to know what the other white car is? Just curious.?

    Like 0
  3. Guy Gilmore

    Wonder what the white car is in front of it in the garage? I’m just curious?

    Like 1
    • jw454

      Guy,

      I’m going to guess it’s a 1963 Ford Falcon. Based on the shape of the quarter panel, the trim strip and, the script above it. The script is barely visible but, it’s there. Do a google on that and see if you agree.

      Like 2
  4. Lawyer George

    If seller wants to measure interest, he should wash it and detail entire car. This dude is to lazy to wipe the dust off the seats., but appears to be cruising for top dollar. Would he take it to a car lot/dealer looking like that and expect a high price? He would be dreaming if he did.

    Like 8
  5. Chinga-Trailer

    Well Jeff, I’ll tell ya wat really grinds my gears too – people who think price guides can acurately be used to judge the real value of a car.

    Like 13
  6. Jimmy

    It’s a nice looking Mach1 and the Magnums could be original to the car. Ours came with Styled Steel Wheels from the factory but a previous owner changed them to Magnums which was a popular upgrade to these cars. The horns on the feature car are not black like they should be also our original shaker air cleaner was Ford corporate blue not bare metal.

    Like 3
    • Oddimotive Cason Oddimotive CasonMember

      The dealer might have installed the Magnum 500 wheels, but the factory didn’t. They were only available on Boss Mustangs in 1970 (optional on 302 and standard on 429). I think 80% of living Mach 1s have ’em, but they weren’t factory original.

      Like 1
  7. Dickie F

    For you Jeff,
    My current weekend project recovering from a 20 year slumber, ready for the road in 5 days – still wearing the dog dish steelies.
    Admittedly widened and a little chrome added in 1970.
    But I mislead you, for back in the garage are the new Magnum 500s …..
    What do you guys think? Leave as is or ….

    Like 11
    • CapNemo

      I like it just as it is!!

      Like 5
    • Jimmy

      I agree leave it like it sits, it looks great.

      Like 4
    • PaulG

      As is, especially sans rear spoiler!

      Like 4
    • Jim22

      Change them, nothing looks better than a set of Magnums.
      Here’s mine.

      Like 26
      • walt

        I agree

        Like 8
    • Angrymike

      I like the magnums, that is a lovely car, my favorite Mustang’s, the 69-70 and I own an 06 GT vert !

      Like 3
    • stillrunners

      Are these the slotted wheel with the ex 1968 GT cap like the Torino’s/ Cyclone’s ran mostly ? Kinda a refreshing look with the added chrome and widening.

      Like….

      Like 1
    • firemedic2714

      While the Magnums are gorgeous, everyone has them on their Mustang. Steelies and poverty caps look great, IMO, and they’ll stand out on your Mustang.

      Like 0
    • theGasHole

      You cannot go wrong either way….I kinda lean toward the dog dish just because they are not seen as often.

      Like 0
  8. Gaspumpchas

    Measuring interest- Horses*it-is it for sale or isn’t it? These clowns crack me up. Nice car.Someone would love to have it. Good luck.
    Cutting back on caffeine here.

    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 10
  9. Poncho

    Owner has gone fishing for top dollar. Would be nice to see what it would take to get the deal done. Probably too much with this owner. He likely has a ‘make me sell it’ price.

    Like 1
  10. Russell Casey

    Here is a sportroof with steel wheels and dog dish caps. It was mine many years ago. It also had 351c with automatic, a deluxe interior, ps,pb, AC, fold own seat am/fm, competition suspension, traction-lok and front spoiler.

    Like 9
    • stillrunners

      Like….my dad had a nice 70 lady one-owner close to when he completed his fastback collection. Kept it close to the end.

      Like 2
  11. mainlymuscle

    “measuring the interest” , “testing the waters” , “not even sure if I want to sell” etc
    Do you want to sell the F…… car or not ya friggin D…. bag ?
    This is a generic dime a dozen Mustang,Mach 1 or not.At least a dozen that are ACTUALLY for sale, with a named price ,every day of the year .Shame on barnfinds for wasting their space,and our time.

    Like 18
    • Russell Casey

      Dime a dozen. Hardly see any 1970 sportsroof or Mach 1s equipped with air and automatic.

      Like 1
  12. Wrong way

    Since I own several Mustangs, I will weigh in on this one! I believe without a visual inspection, and looking under it this car if it’s good under it should bring between $20,000 and $30,000! If it was a four shifter instead of automatic I could come a little closer to the actual price! All original is a very good thing! I have one like it but different color about the same miles better shape tho, and I would laugh at $30,000 for it! However mine is the manual 4 speed! JMO

    Like 4
  13. Woody

    “Shaker”ram-air optioned with FMX automatic,this is a classic! Nice interior is a big plus!

    Like 1
  14. Johnny Joseph

    I’m with Jim22 on the Magnum 500’s. The steelies look better if it’s a 428, 429, 4 speed street brawler. With a C-6 and a 351, it looks better shiny and beautiful. Magnum’s are one of my favorite wheels, right up there with original Cragar SS and Torque Thrust’s. You put any of them on any 60’s or 70’s car and it instantly looks like it might be a muscle car. Wheels make the car has always been my go to when you want to sell a car.

    Like 6
  15. Zjbowman

    Assuming that one is as good or better than the pics, Down here in AZ, this is a 50k plus car all day. No lack of interest on Mustangs that I’ve seen… anywhere. 69/70 Mach1s are some of the most valuable and are only going up. Remember, GM sold tons of coke bottle muscle cars in the 60’s, so although popular, they are plentiful. Mach1 Mustangs were expensive, and sold in far less numbers than the GM equivs… this car is an investment that will only go up.

    Like 0
  16. RicK

    Not difficult or expensive to change it over to a 4 speed, I’d do it in a heartbeat if it was mine, it’s not like there’s a shortage of nice ’70 Mach 1s

    Like 2
  17. DougB

    Looks like somebody restored the car and I think someone inherited the car . I wonder if the person knows what he has ? That’s probably why he is fishing for a price . He probably had nothing to do with the car ?

    Like 1
  18. MartyJ

    Owned one if these beauties In the day. Drove it cross country. Great memories except for the squeak in the front shock area.

    Like 1
  19. Rob S.

    Agree with all the comments. But, one thing I noticed, that rear wing is not the factory installed piece! 70 had a fiberglass wing that did not sag! 69 had plastic wings that warped and sagged and are quite rare to find. Sooo, if this isn’t correct, what else is wrong?

    Like 2
    • walt

      I think they all sag, my 69 has glass rear wing looks like sag 2 me

      Like 0
    • Jimmy

      Here is our 70 we just sold with the fiberglass wing and it hasn’t sagged.

      Like 2
      • stillrunners

        Wow…what a pretty rare color – what did Ford call it ?

        Like 0
      • Jimmy

        @stillrunners … ( Y Code ) for 1970 Chestnut Metallic. … 336 Mustangs painted that color in 1970 according to the Marti Report.

        Like 2
  20. Gaspumpchas

    Yea Marty j all of the unibody Fords had that annoying squeak. Came from lack of lubrication in the upper inner control arm shaft. To Eliminate it you had to grease that shaft. Several different ways, ranging from the Neanderthal speed and custom, torch a hole in the inner fender, or use a tool that didn’t really help, or dimple the inner fender from the inside so you could get a grease fitting in there.

    Cheers

    GPC

    Like 2
  21. stillrunners

    Like the magnums much….and although the Road Runner came with full wheel hubcaps I found a set for it. It just looked right with them. There’s a shed find pic of it somewhere. My other bird and GTX I ran the 15″ mopar road wheels.

    1970 Stang would be my choice over the other years….then maybe a 67….nice car….let’s go fishin’ !

    Like 1
  22. gto4ever

    stupid

    Like 0
  23. John C Cargill

    Actually my favorite adds are the ones that start out with “just testing the waters” of course there is the old favorite no price on the add, just best offer.

    Like 1
  24. Troy s

    I think Mustangs will always hold a value, folks been collecting them for years, practically since the mustang II, and the new mustangs keep the interest alive and well. This one here is pretty nice, automatic is fine with me so is the Cleveland powerplant. Put a rebuilt bang-screech C-6 in it, those are fun too.

    Like 0
  25. Russell Casey

    I am not so sure that Muscle cars and Pony cars are going to hold their value after the baby boomers start dying off.

    Like 0
  26. Drake

    I saw a guy in Facebook trying to something like that… Testing the waters, I won’t be insulted, genuine idea only…. No one commented, because all you have to do is your homework. I don’t take such ads serious.

    Like 0
  27. theGasHole

    Test the waters by doing the following:
    Put it on E**y, no reserve, start the auction at $1, see what it goes up to, cancel auction as “no longer available” with 0:15 seconds left. You’ll have a pretty good idea.

    Like 1

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