While it sometimes seems that classic cars will offer their owners performance or comfort, vehicles like this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 seem to blend the two perfectly. The original owner ticked a lot of the best boxes on the Order Form, and many of these original features remain intact. It will take some work to return it to its best, but I’m sure there are plenty of people with the time and patience to achieve that goal. If you believe that you are one of them, you will find the Mach 1 located in Victor, New York, and listed for sale here on eBay. While the bidding has rocketed to $7,900, this remains short of the reserve.
The owner of this Medium Blue Metallic Mach 1 is pretty candid about its physical state. The faded and peeling paint is the least of its problems because there is plenty of rust that will require attention if the body is to be returned to a sound state. As well as impacting the rear quarter panels, it has gotten its teeth into the floors, trunk pan, torque boxes, and frame rails. It looks like there is also some under the battery tray, so the buyer will need to scrutinize areas like the shock towers. As you will see, the buyer will probably have to pull the motor as part of the restoration process, which will allow the perfect opportunity to inspect and repair any problems in this area. If I were a betting man, I would wager that the car’s next owner will perform a nut-and-bolt restoration to achieve a high standard of finish. They will need to compile a shopping list that will include some trim items and other parts, including taillights and a rear bumper. However, the glass looks okay, which is one less thing for the buyer to worry about.
Mechanically, this Mustang offers a tempting package for buyers seeking respectable performance levels. The original owner ordered the car with the M-Code 351ci V8 that produced 300hp in its prime. This pony’s, er, ponies, find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed wide-ratio transmission and a 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end. There were more powerful options in the 1970 Mustang range, but this car’s ability to demolish the ¼ mile in 14.4 seconds would’ve been considered pretty respectable. It seems that the original owner was also partial to a relaxed driving experience, so he chose to equip the car with power steering and power front disc brakes. The news when we look at the drivetrain is a mixture of good and bad. While the owner doesn’t expressly state it, I believe that the Mustang is numbers-matching. The owner has pulled the dipstick, and he says the oil is clean. From there, things deteriorate in a hurry. He indicates that the motor is locked, but he doesn’t seem to know why. It could potentially be because it has been sitting untouched for decades, or it could’ve been the catalyst for the previous owner parking it in the 1980s. A big dose of Mystery Oil and some patience might see this V8 turning again, but I think that the buyer will need to brace themselves to pull the motor and perform a rebuild if it is to be returned to good health.
When you consider what we’ve seen so far, the interior of the Mustang comes as a breath of fresh air. It isn’t perfect, but if the buyer wanted to leave the interior restoration until last, it is serviceable as it stands. There is some minor wear on the outer edge of the driver’s seat, but there appear to be no rips or tears. The door trims have a few marks, so the buyer might choose to replace them to achieve a perfect presentation. Unfortunately, the rim-blow wheel is cracked. That’s disappointing because otherwise, its condition is pretty good. The buyer will need to source a replacement pad because there is a significant crack in the center of this one. It appears that the original owner was seeking a suitable compromise between performance and comfort because he ordered this Mach 1 with a Sport Deck rear seat, a tachometer, and an AM radio/8-track player. All of these items remain intact, which is good news for buyers considering a faithful restoration.
There’s no denying that the next owner of this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 will face a mountain of work if they intend to return it to its former glory. Its rust issues are significant, and its locked V8 is a cause for concern. However, it hasn’t stifled interest because there have already been fifteen bids submitted with plenty of time left on the listing. Considering that the best way to tackle this build would be to dismantle the vehicle entirely, it is not likely to be a cheap project. With that thought in mind, it will be interesting to see whether the bidding remains spirited or whether it tapers off before it reaches the reserve.
My small-town blue-collar Ford dealer didn’t get many performance models, but they did get a 1970 Mach 1 for stock, in this color. If I recall it was a base 351 automatic with few options. But it was a Mach 1, and early-teen me enthusiastically lusted over it. To my knowledge (and I closely monitored their stock) they got in exactly two 1969-1970 Mach 1’s. Good memories.
These are attractive and popular when restored, I hope that is what happens to this example.
The flipper trailer shot makes the Cozy Coupes in the back more appealing.
Adam , dont assume that high optioned or muscle cars were special ordered ; you could easily but cars exactly like this right off the dealerships lot . I remember rows of Mustangs in lots and more than one was a Mach 1, or a Boss 302 .You just had to pick the color you liked and drive it off the lot !
True, I bought my Duster 340 right off the lot , with a one year color (supposedly one of 175 340s in that color ) and the Space Duster package. I remember there were other Duster 340s alongside the one I bought !
Still had to be ordered even if it was the dealer.
True ,but the “original owner” as Adam often writes, is never the dealership the car was sold from, its the first buyer
My parents had a 66 GTO tri power 4spd and friends of theirs had a 69 Mach1 with a 351C 4V and four speed. She is only 5′ tall and her husband had to put blocks on the pedals so she could drive it. Her and my mom could really drive them and I remember being in the back seat with my brother with her in passenger seat with my mom with mom getting sideways hitting second gear, all of us laughing like crazy. Pop bought a 455 4spd 71 Grand Prix and they bought a 70 442 W30. Both the GTO and Mach1 disappeared soon after they were traded in.
Whoever tied that car to the trailer needs a slap in the head.
Not my preferred method of doing it, yet this works on a good day. At least this fella tied it to his trailer, far from everyone does…! As for no fenders I have no words…
Wow, the first picture makes the car look promising , but it really goes downhill from there ! It was a sharp car in its day , but with the prices these cars bring, I’m sure someone will have it looking great again !
Curious to see what this Rustang will bring. Nearly 11k now with a lot of time left which seems pretty incredible. The rust on this unibodied pony would scare me off but someone will pay up and try to bring this ‘Stang back to the time when the ‘ol thruster was firing on all 8 cylinders, pun intended!
Parts car material. A fool and their money are soon parted.
This is not for the faint of heart to restore! The rust is always worse then what you can see. The options on this one are desirable and what is left seems mostly original. Too bad the shaker hood stuff is missing although a decent reproduction is made by Scott Drake for approx. $600.
Bidding is sitting still under under $11,000. That is more than what I would want to invest.
GLWTS!
Does BF’s ever have a day without a 69 or 70 Stang?
I bought a New Mach One on return from Vietnam in 1970 I paid $2800 for it from the Ford dealer in Jacksonville NC. The dealer had a $600 deposit on it and the buyer never came back. Mine was a Coral Orange with white leather interior, 351 with Cleveland heads, C-6 trans. Was one of the best cars I ever owned. Only car I regret selling……
$10,700 now reserve met. Never saw a spring come up thru the trunk. Victor, ny is in the northern part of new yawk, yep a northeast rustang. As 71boss351 said, this one isnt for the faint of heart,, and the fact that you can buy everything you need to restore it wont take away the work! Good luck, good thing is there on this one anyway. Would be a good donor for a dynacorn body.
Cheers
GPC
Had a spring come through the trunk on a 69 Cougar. Too many Ohio winters. That car also had the rim blow horn. On a hot day the horn started blowing all by itself. Put the horn on a toggle switch.
The title here says no reserve. and in the first paragraph it says reserve not met???