The Mustang was in its fifth year of production in 1969 and the car received its most noticeable styling updates to date. But the car rode on the same platform it began with in 1964 and would keep through 1973. The fastback version of the Mustang was called the SportsRoof now in some circles and would comprise 45% of production in ’69. This one started with a six-cylinder engine and a 3-speed manual transmission which are still in place, although a V8 transplant was in the cards. Located in South Lyon, Michigan, this work-in-progress is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $20,000, but there’s still a reserve left to be met.
After reaching a peak of more than 600,000 units in 1966, Mustang sales would decline year after year from that point. Part of that was attributable to market saturation and the rest was due to a growing list of competitors who were invading the “pony car” space. Ford built 300,000 Mustangs in 1969, and 134,000 would be fastbacks, almost dominating the entire series for the first time. But 75,000 would be performance-driven Mach 1s. Boss 302s, and Boss 429s. The seller’s car was from the rest of the pack and was equipped with a basic drivetrain.
We’re told this ’69 fastback has been sitting in dry storage for some time and is being sold by a friend of the family (estate sale?). The plan was to dump the 200 cubic inch I-6 in favor of something more modern, which we assume means a V8 motor of some type. Along those lines, the rear axle assembly has already been replaced and the frame has been “tied.” The car now wears 4-wheel disc brakes, not an option in 1969.
The Mustang still has some of its Royal Maroon paint in places and the body appears to be fairly clean, although none of the photos show the car in its entirety. We’re told it’s a complete project awaiting the buyer’s ideas and direction and will come with a rear spoiler, the SportsRoof rear window louvers, and a chin spoiler. If you took this Ford home, what would you do with it? Create a Boss 302 or 429 tribute or maybe a Mach 1?
I’ll bet if this Mustang had been left completely stock it would have appealed to a lot of potential buyers not wanting a hot rod. Nonetheless, it will make a great build.
It’s not more valuable in its original, 6-cylinder form, but it certainly is more interesting that way.
As a 6 cyl, i doubt it came with that hood or rear spoiler.
I’m guessing that tach & aux gages were not available with the 6 cylinder either.
It probably required less pedal pressure to stop the car with its orig 4 wheel manual drum brakes, than it does now with 4 manual disks, tho the stopping distance would certainly have been a lot longer & less straight with the former.
Yet, my friend preferred the 4 wheel manual drums on his ’72 pinto over another one with front disks – power assist not avail on earlier pintos.
The rear spoiler was $20 0ption on the 69 and 70’s. Thats what I paid extra when I ordered mine.
I wish they had a photo of the rear discs, at least it is a manual.
I had a new ’69 fastback with a 6, and it came with that hood/scoop.
It’s a sportsroof! The body appears to be in good shape and if those are the original Sports Slats on the rear window they are worth their “weight in gold!”
The intended V8 motor, 4 wheel disc brakes and about $20k more to finish should increase the value to around $60k or more.
This is at least a $30,000 to $35,000 package. New 408 Windsor, Wilwood brakes, Hotchkis subframe connectors installed, torque boxes look great, new headers and exhaust system included, new bumpers, I see almost no rust. It would be very hard to find a better start for a nice street rod that could be driven every day. Bolt on modern A/C system, holly sniper stealth FI, modern 5 speed stick or auto with overdrive, and of course Apple car play or Android. And yes, there are good bolt on kits for all of the previous for this year Mustang. That 4.10 rear gear may work. Sort it out and then get it painted. The manual steering and brakes may not suit some. I have personally driven 1969 and 70 Mustangs with manual steering and brakes for thousands of miles.
Look at the Marti Report. It looks like this car had zero options.