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Older Restoration: 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

This 1969 Mustang Mach 1 underwent a full restoration in 1989 under the stewardship of its current owner. The work was completed using all NOS parts, and while it now needs a little bit of tidying-up, there is nothing there that would be classed as urgent. That means that the next owner could get out and enjoy this classic pony car during the upcoming Summer months, and then tackle the required work from within their warm workshop next Winter. The Mustang is located in San Jose, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Mach 1 has reached $31,750, and the reserve has been met.

The Mustang’s restoration included a repaint in its original Wimbledon White. The owner says that the car presents nicely from 10-20 feet away. However, a closer inspection reveals the usual assortment of chips that you might come to expect on a car that has accumulated 50,000 miles since the restoration was completed. He says that the underside of the vehicle is clean and rust-free, while the shock towers are also nice and solid. What he does admit is that there is some Bondo in the lower rear quarter panels and a small amount in the doors. It looks like rust might be developing under this, so that would be a priority to address before it can deteriorate too far. The panels themselves appear to be very straight, while the chrome and trim present nicely. The Mustang is fitted with tinted glass all around, and this appears to be free from major flaws.

The Mustang rolled off the production line in January of 1969 fitted with an M-Code 351ci Windsor V8. Backing this is a 4-speed manual transmission, which sends the 351’s power to the 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end. You might not get power steering with this one, but you get the reassurance of power front disc brakes to arrest progress effectively. The owner believes that the engine is original to this car, but doesn’t appear to be completely certain. When it was shiny and new, it would have pumped out 290hp. I suspect that the figure might be slightly higher today. The engine was treated to a rebuild in 2014, and the clutch was replaced at the same time. The original heads, which are included in the sale, were replaced with Edelbrock Performer heads. An Edelbrock intake was also fitted, along with a more aggressive cam from the same manufacturer. Spent gases find their way out of the engine via a set of Hooker headers. In 2019, the steering box, numerous front-end components, and all four shocks were replaced. Since the engine rebuild in 2014, the Mustang has traveled 7,500 miles. The owner doesn’t mention how well the vehicle runs and drives, but it would probably be fair to expect it to perform both tasks very nicely.

The owner purchased the Mustang in 1989, and the interior has remained untouched under his stewardship. It generally presents quite well for a vehicle of this age, although the cover on the driver’s seat does sport a pretty significant tear on the outer bolster. There is also an aftermarket radio/cassette player fitted in place of the original AM unit. A tachometer has been mounted on the steering column, and if the next owner is seeking originality, removing this shouldn’t be a problem. Apart from the tear in the seat, the rest of the interior trim presents nicely, while the dash is free from any appreciable faults.

It would have been very easy for the owner of this Mustang Mach 1 to have completed the restoration work back in 1989 and to have then wrapped the vehicle in cotton-wool. Instead, he has chosen to drive and enjoy this classic pony car, which is what Ford had intended when they designed and built the vehicle. It really appears that it won’t take a lot of work to return the car to a fairly high level of presentation, although it is hardly what I would term as unattractive as it currently stands. I hope that someone grabs this Mach 1, addresses those few issues, and then continues to drive the car on a regular basis. After all, that’s what it was made for.

Comments

  1. Avatar Classic Steel

    Nice looking Mustang.👍👀
    I would fix the lower quarter and door with metal sections welded in and have a paint shop blend them in and buff. Put a seat cover on drivers side snd enjoy it.

    I am surprised the owner didn’t list the block numbers as its easy to validate a Mustang to see if it passes the days allowed from build date. I would bet its the original if owner has had it since 1989 but at the high dollars its bringing validate it.
    I have a 67 289 convertible and drive it all the time and appreciate this has been enjoyed too😎

    Thr four speed is definitely a win win on this beautiful Stang

    Like 10
  2. Avatar 433jeff

    Hats off to restoring and racking up 50k miles

    Like 16
  3. Avatar Walker

    My favourite shape but white argh hate white cars they never seem to have a good shine/reflection.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Skorzeny

      Walker, agreed. The only car I seem to like in white, and I can’t explain, is a white Pontiac Trans Am with blue stripes. (70-73) Thats pretty much it. As far as this ride, I think the price may be a bit steep, but I’m only an armchair expert. I love that it’s a 4 speed. I just want to see it on the road. Was going to work the other day and saw/heard a ’65 going up a hill at full throttle. Made my week…

      Like 4
  4. Avatar Troy s

    Nice pony.
    Those engine mods are a definite improvement over what it was originally, in the seat of the pants kind of way but purists will look to bog it back down to what Ford thought was a better idea.
    With the four speed I figured it had more aggressive gearing.
    Looks plenty good for a driver that can be hammered about without worry,, that’s how sticky shift cars are enjoyed.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Johnny

    Like it ,but I never did like that big ugly clock of the right. I,d rather have the bigger and heavier 429. Power and to hold the car down more at higher speeds. For the price. I,ll pass,but nice looking. I like the marron and green ones better color. Whit show up rust really easy too. Gas it up -hold on and let the clutch fly. Really like the 4 speed. To me–only a true muscle car has a standard shift. Automatics are for those who don,t or haven,t really experienced gettin it and going through the gears.Boy,I miss those days

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Scot Bailey

    Wimbledon white fits the ‘69 sports roof so well – really shows the lines of the body. Being a Mach 1 only adds to it with the contrasting black hood treatment.
    Nice car.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar TimM

    Nice clean car with a good presentation!!!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar PRA4SNW

    SOLD for $33,050.

    Like 0

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