The Mustang looked like an all-new car in 1969, but it still rode on the platform it was born with in 1964. The fastback roofline on some models was now called “SportRoof” and it accounted for a record 45% of production that year. Ford upped up their performance game in ’69 and introduced the Mach 1 (SportsRoof, only) which saw 72,500 copies. This garage find is said to be numbers matching, including its 428 Cobra Jet V8 and 4-speed manual. Another tip from T.J., this car is hidden away in El Paso, Texas, where the seller is hoping to get $50,000 (OBO) for it here on craigslist.
Perhaps the seller’s expectation assumes rarity with this car, but 10,080 of them were built with the 428 CJ. Add to that 3,181 more with the 428 Super CJ. So, the original inventory suggests a fair number of them may be left, though these cars were driven hard and not pampered for future generations to enjoy. We assume this Ford has been laid up for many years with some previous mechanical work having been attempted.
We’re told this Mach 1 was purchased for drag races in Mexico, so its hard life no doubt caught up with it. The body may be okay, but there is no mention if rust has been an issue. The seller says most of the interior has survived, but in what condition? An important Shaker hood with air cleaner is still in the mix along with the Ford’s posi-traction rear end.
Supposedly this car was the subject of a story in Hot Rod, but since we don’t know what issue that was, looking it up would be a chore. It would be nice to see what it looked like in better times. If the buyer takes this car home at the seller’s asking price and then does a full restoration, it will likely become the most expensive Mach 1 on the planet.
If it is indeed a 69 somebody did a good job making it look like a 1970. Shows how much the seller knows.
Car coming from Mexico might explain the discrepancy.
Yep definitely at least has a 70 doghouse.
Also a friendly bit of info to the writer. For future reference, posit traction is GM terminology. Ford called their limited slip Trak-Lok.
Maybe it’s a super rare one of one secret 1970 prototype?
Darn, nobody was supposed to notice then I was going to buy it and flip it for a cool million.
How much $$$ do you think these sellers miss out on by not cleaning the dust off before taking the pictures for the ads? Imagine this same car reasonably cleaned up vs the pictures…how much lower is your initial offer because its obvious NOTHING has been done to preserve the car?
Hey, the car is in southwest Texas where everything is covered in dust. The owner probably doesn’t even know what a dust-free car looks like in real life!
I believe you have figured out this ultimate quiz!! EVERYONE is goin nuts, that this car is a 1970 and NOT a 1969!! Also, every week there is huge discussion on the fact that when attempting to sell a car – and for MANY reasons you should clean it up – WASH THE CAR!! BUT, in this case you have solved the ‘which year’ problem by pointing out that – THE SELLER IS PROBABLY GETTING WELL UP INTO AGE, SO THE CAR BEING THAT DUSTY HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE OLD GENT TO SEE WHICH YEAR OF STANG HE IS SELLING HERE!!!
IF HE HAD JUST CLEANED IT UP FOR THE SALE!?!?!
Two engines?
Confused as original is apart but the painted one is what engine?
Or are we seeing some work done on original engine?
Guys, don’t know what’s going on here but this car is a 1970,period! From front to back to both sides and interior!
Maybe it was built in 1969 (1970 model was on the showroomfloor since sept 1969) My guess it still a 1970 Mach 1.
1970 Fenders, headlight buckets, grille, stonegard, front valance, rear quarter extention, taillightpannel & lights, NO quarterscoops,
Even ignition switch on the steering colomn and doorpanels are from 1970.
If it looks like a duck, talks like a duck, maybe it is a duck ;-)
That thing is a 70 !
It was a nice car when it came from the factory. However the condition it is in now sorta reduces the value by at least 70%. Add to that no info on whether or not it is in drivable condition. I’d pass at this price! When you add the lack of details of its paint, running, or overall condition $15K seems a more reasonable value.
As we all know this is a 70, they will not get anything close to $50k.
Well it looks like it’s sold already. That or they just took the ad down.
Good luck with the 50g’s ….. that thing would cost another 40-50 g’s to restore it and you’d never get your money out of it ….. you’d better plan on your next 4-5 future heirs to keep it so somebody will get your monies worth
This is a 1970…
Our author should have caught this fact..
It’s a 70 with some desirable goodies, sports slats, one spoiler, shaker. Nonop engine that just makes me sad, My favorite year for a MACH 1. Agree with GB on 15K unless that’s gold dust.
Lack of quarter panel scoops make it a 70, the doghouse could be changed easily but I doubt someone would have filled the scoops. Race cars got updated until they were worn out so grill/taillight changes were commonplace. It has a blue hood so is it a Shaker car or a add on? Proof on power train and options before anything else imo.
Guys, one other proof positive it’s a 70, look at the interior picture, it shows key ignition in steering column!! End of discussion!
Very true, sure sign
I would say the main difference is a 69 has 4 headlights, and a 70 only two. But as Bick said it has been deleted.
The partially supplied VIN also says that it is a 1970.