In a model year where an enthusiast could order a Boss 302, a Boss 429, or a Cobra Jet Mach 1, it’s hard to contemplate that one could buy a Mustang Grande on the same showroom floor. Yes, 1970 was a year of variety in the Mustang camp, and it’s a gentle reminder that the Mustang was marketed as a car for all. The Grande was the luxury car of the Mustang line, with attractive features not found on the base Mustang, and it was attractive enough that the original owner has hung onto it for 55 years. Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. found this one on the Atlanta craigslist with an asking price of $21,500. That’s a bit of coin for a ’70 hardtop, but the seller’s open to offers, and it is a nice example of an uncommon Mustang.
One of the highlights of the Grande package was the interior, with special Houndstooth cloth and vinyl upholstery on its standard high-back bucket seats. The lucky buyer would also enjoy a quieter Mustang, as 55 pounds of extra sound deadening was a part of the package, in addition to woodgrain accents on the dashboard and door panels, a deluxe steering wheel, a clock, and bright pedal pads. This one has been treated to new upholstery, according to the advertisement.
Outside, all Grandes wore one of two vinyl tops: a “Landau” half-roof or this traditional full-roof at no extra cost; you also got dual pinstripes, a blacked-out tail panel, and dual sport mirrors. This one has the extra-cost “Sport Wheel Covers,” which are an almost-but-not-quite replica of a styled steel wheel. It’s an attractive mini-Thunderbird look when taken as a whole.
Under the hood is no Boss 302 but a base 302 (OK, it’s the base V8). With two-barrel carburetion and 220 horsepower, the 302 is adequate but not exactly burly. The seller mentions that the car was undercoated by the dealer when new, which might explain the seemingly flatter-than-factory black in the engine compartment. The air conditioning compressor is a modern one, so let’s cross our fingers that it works.
The early 1970s was a verdant era, and this green-on-green-on-green Mustang takes that idiom to its ultimate conclusion. The Grande has been treated to a new paint job, and if I had to guess, I’d say the paint is Medium Lime Metallic. It’s clear that it’s been well-maintained its whole life, and there’s nothing like buying a collector car from the original owner. It doesn’t happen that often.
Good write-up Aaron. While the Bosses and Machs get all the acclaim, it’s good to remember that without the lesser models, they wouldn’t have even existed. Just like the backbone of the 65-66 Mustangs were the humble straight sixes.
This Grande looks nice. They were very well-trimmed. I like just about every green of the era, even the loud lime tones like this example. The ad is fairly meager (it’s Craigslist, no surprise), sure wish there was more info including the Marti Report.
Its very refreshing to see a more bread and butter model especially in this nice a condition. I couldn’t help but think of the Mary Tyler Moore opening. She wasn’t driving a Mach 1. These models and base models used to be very plentiful and common. And we just don’t see enough of them anymore. Very nice find. And great write up too Aaron. I agree with you, these were a nice scaled down version of a T Bird when ordered with the Grande package.
Mary Tyler Moore is exactly what I thought of when I saw this. Great write up!
First glance looked like it didn’t have an engine with the front that high. Must have the wrong length shocks on it.
They might have installed new front springs. Years ago, I installed a set of GT front springs in my ’65 coupe, and it sat high in the front. So, I pulled them out again and cut off a half-coil and it sits just right. That’s why I don’t like putting new springs in a car if I can help it.
A 15″ OEM wheel, over the OEM 14″, would help closing the appearance of that wheel gap.
Some nice options, pluses:
Docs /history/care from 1st owner, nice shape overall, PS, PDB, auto + V8, Grande pkg … and AC!
10 miles north of seller – note the cane – should go see.
Very nice Mustang.
The author is correct about the flat spray paint in the engine compartment. Seems to be covering up stuff or trying to fluff it up. Wrong paint sheen and Ford never painted the fender inner edges black nor were the attaching bolts painted. The A/C compressor needs another bolt in the upper bracket, too.
Much rather the see the real vehicle, not one spray painted all over. It will be a nasty job cleaning off that black paint from the fenders and bolts. What else is hidden?
Nice looking Mustang. Grande to boot. Not just a garden variety coupe. Too many have been sacrificed to restore or ‘create’ another performance model. It truly is refreshing to see what everyone else was driving. As I’ve said before, the reason this car is still around is that it wasn’t abused.
A little pricey for a 70 El Grande Mustang from my experience. Not real crazy about this color. I got a 69 Grande a few yrs back that had a rebuilt 351 and all I had to do was paint it Acapulco Blue and sold it for $14,500. That 351 was a little dangerous and scary IMO and that the only reason i sold it. I had a guy wanting to buy it for his 18 yo son and I wouldnt sell it to them. That looks like the original, and heavy AC clutch with a newer compressor. I agree with you Aaron, replacing front coil springs is a dreaded job to do.
I owned a 1970 Cougar that had houndstooth interior with an automatic 351. Very quick car but rusted away very quickly. In West Texas!
Why must every vehicle be equipped with some gigantic engine? I would enjoy this car as much or more than one equipped with a 428 or 429.
I agree.
The 302 / auto combo most likely the most popular one chosen by a margin of something like 10:1.
My Brother had a 69 Grande 351 rim blow horn beautiful car , never saw one before or since until this one , great car and that 351 made it really move !
The engine compartment is fine.
I have a ’70 Mustang Hardtop as well but with the 351 Cleveland. It may be a base Hardtop but it has more than enough power and sounds great with the Flowmaster exhaust.Turns heads and gets thumbs up everywhere I go
One of my coworkers at the A&P had an identical car to this one in the early ‘70’s. He wanted to upgrade the stereo so one evening we pulled it into the stockroom and did it, including the mandatory (at the time) Jensen 6×9 speakers in the back package shelf. Didn’t get the shelves stocked much that night. Good times.