The previous owner of this 1969 Ford Mustang placed it into storage in 1979, and it hasn’t graced our roads since. The current owner purchased it in 2007, and the story remained the same until he recently coaxed it back to life. He has decided that someone needs to get this beast back on the road, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. Located in Madisonville, Tennessee, the Mach 1 has generated plenty of interest since it hit the market. Forty-six bids have pushed the price to $36,000, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
There’s a lot to absorb and consider with this Mustang, and it’s refreshing that the owner has provided a fantastic selection of hi-res photos of every aspect of the car. They reveal a classic that is essentially in a structurally sound state and that has little in the way of rust. There is a small spot in the driver’s side floor and some in the trunk drop-off on the same side. Anything else under the car appears to be surface corrosion, with the frame rails and torque boxes looking clean and solid. Externally, there is some rust on the inside of the trunk lid and evidence of a repair in the taillight panel, but the rest of the exterior exhibits no problems. It is great to find a Mustang of this era where the tin worm hasn’t at least partially consumed the lower extremities like the rockers and lower quarters. The panels sport some minor dings and dents, but these should be easy to address. The Wimbledon White paint has seen better days, and there is evidence of some past touch-up work. However, the overall impression for anyone considering tackling this Mach 1 as a project is that it should be a reasonably straightforward process.
Lifting the hood of the Mach 1 reveals the numbers-matching 428 Cobra Jet V8. The 335hp that it produced found its way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed C6 automatic transmission. In this guise, the Mustang could have stormed through the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. It is worth clarifying that beyond that mighty V8, this classic has undergone some drivetrain changes. The original owner ordered that car with a 4-speed manual transmission and a 3.50 Traction-Lok rear end, but both of these items were changed at some point by a dealer. Locating date-correct components to return the vehicle to its original specifications should not be difficult, and I suspect that this will be the buyer’s path. The Mustang has been sitting since 1979, but the owner has coaxed that brute of an engine back to life. It starts and runs, but the car is a long way from being roadworthy. It moves forwards under its own power, but the transmission will not select reverse gear. There are also some coolant leaks for the buyer to tackle, and I suspect that these are merely the beginning. All of the hoses and belts are said to be original, and after sitting for so long, I wouldn’t trust them. However, it looks like the owner has replaced the master cylinder along with the fuel tank and fuel lines, so these are areas of this Mach 1 that shouldn’t require attention.
For me, the interior of this Mustang is something of a surprise packet. Its main flaws seem to be confined to a cracked dash pad, some minor damage to a couple of painted surfaces, some possible fading on the carpet, and discolored kick panels. Beyond that, there’s not much that it requires. The upholstered surfaces show no evidence of wear or damage, and the same is true of the headliner. The plastic trim isn’t displaying any of the deterioration that can plague these interiors as time passes, and there have been no aftermarket additions. The original owner ordered the car with the optional AM radio/8-track player, and this remains intact.
This 1969 Mustang Mach 1 is quite a vehicle, and it is easy to see why the bidding has been so intense. If you examine the classic car scene and try to speculate on which cars will remain a staple into the future, the 1st Generation Mustang will almost certainly make that ist. These were enormously popular when they were new, and that popularity and desirability has only increased with each passing year. This car ticks a lot of the right boxes for enthusiasts, and it holds the promise of being a straightforward restoration project. If the buyer chose to strip this classic down to the last nut-and-bolt and performed a meticulous restoration, it has the potential to achieve a six-figure value once complete. There might be a little way to go before the reserve is reached, so this is an auction that should be worth watching. Of course, you might also be tempted to submit a bid, and if you are, I wish you luck. This classic deserves to go to a good home, and I can think of no one more suitable than one of our readers to give it that home.
I agree with Adam. After studying the high-quality pics, there is plenty of work to do, but for the most part it seems straightforward. The 1969 Mach 1 is a highly popular, sought-after model, so the needed work would be justified. One should be very proud to own this model.
I’ll admit I have a soft spot for the 1969 Mach 1. I can trace a big part of my “car kid” past, which lives on today, to a certain new 1969 Mach 1. It was white with a red interior, just like this one. My small-town Ford dealer had it for a week or so, and I spent plenty of time fawning over it. My favorites are the ones with the period-correct colors like Black Jade, Gulfstream Aqua, and Indian Fire.
I believe that was my uncle’s Mach 1 he was in the Navy in Pensacola FL and bought it new in 69. His was a 4 speed, he traded it in approximately 72.
Best of the old Mustangs for me, the ’69, only a Boss 429 or Boss 302 could look better than a Mach 1…..maybe. Big fan of the 428 in high performance tune, a personal thing for me, the engine bay here is kind of a mess compared to everything else here.
Still a great ride and hopefully it gets a few more blasts down the road.
$39.5K now and reserve met.
The MARTI Report said it was a 4 speed car, from the factory…HMMMM. Looking at the hi res pics…something looks off with the left rear quarter. The bad paint/dirt is hiding a surprise, maybe, I’m thinking. There’s a little crust underneath. Other than that, it looks like a good project.
You don’t need the Marti report to inform you of that, the seller clearly states that in his description.
Steve R
Old Florida Tag and Inspection Sticker. Cherry Bomb Glass Packs. She’s been down the beach a time or three looking at the bottom. You put it back on the road like this and it won’t last long. Like someone else said The Engine Bay Looks Nasty. Diamond in the RUFF.