Although the First Generation Mustang is considered the genesis of the pony car segment, specific versions blurred the line between a pony car and a genuine muscle car. This 1969 Mach 1 is a perfect example, with its engine bay housing the fire-breathing 428 Super Cobra Jet V8. It is far from perfect, but its freshly rebuilt engine and refurbished interior provide an excellent starting point for a new owner considering a faithful restoration. The Mach 1 is listed here on eBay in Van Nuys, California. Bidding sits at $44,400, and I’m surprised it has passed the reserve at what many might consider a reasonably modest figure.
The Mach 1 rolled off the line in San Jose, California, resplendent in iconic Candy Apple Red with Black stripes. It has spent its life on the dry west coast, which means its baked paint is unsurprising, but neither is its rust-free status. There is evidence of Bondo in a couple of spots, but the overall first impression is positive. The car is screaming for cosmetic restoration, although the winning bidder might follow the seller’s lead in preserving the Mach 1 as a survivor. Either approach would turn heads, but I can’t help but think there would be more of them if the car presented in a showroom-fresh state. The trim is in generally good order, as is the tinted glass. The Shaker is original to this car, but the wheels and Sport Slats on the back window are later additions. Neither looks out of place, but the new owner may choose to remove them in a quest for authenticity.
The Mustang’s interior presents well, suggesting it received a recent retrim. I can’t spot any glaring upholstery faults or problems, but the woodgrain trim is missing from the console. Replacement pieces are easily sourced and would add peanuts to any restoration. There are inconsistencies between what we see and what the Marti Report claims the interior should feature. The column-mounted tach would be there because the original owner didn’t order a factory unit. Aftermarket gauges are cut into the dash, which is disappointing if the new owner aims for a faithful appearance. They would need to replace that section of the dash which seems like an avoidable added expense. The radio/8-track player is a later addition, with the Marti Report indicating the car rolled off the line with an AM unit. Reversing the changes is feasible, but I’m disappointed to find such modifications in a car of this caliber.
Now we get to the business end of proceedings with this Mustang and why it has generated considerable interest since coming to market. The original owner focused on outright performance, outlaying a substantial sum for one of the most desirable drivetrain combinations offered in 1969. The engine bay houses a numbers-matching 428 Super Cobra Jet powerhouse, while they also ticked the box beside the Drag Pack on their Order Form. Backing the 428 is a C6 automatic transmission that feeds the engine’s 360hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque to a 3.91 Traction-Lok rear end. There is no power steering, but there is assistance for the front disc brakes. Was this combination fast? A ¼-mile ET of 14.3 seconds confirms it was no automotive slug. The seller indicates that although the motor is original, the transmission isn’t. However, they have retained and will include the factory unit in the deal. The engine was recently rebuilt, with this Mustang running and driving extremely well. It is ready to head into the sunset with a new owner behind the wheel.
It will be fascinating to monitor where the bidding heads on this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 because it is one of the most desirable versions built that year. Addressing its cosmetic shortcomings would be straightforward, with the potential for this classic to command a healthy six-figure value with the work complete. With a week remaining on the auction, I won’t be surprised if the bidding nudges $80,000 before the hammer falls. It has already attracted thirty-three bids, suggesting people like what they see. Do you like it? Yes? But is it enough to tempt you to submit a bid as well?
Needs paint but it’s still a good looking car and one of my favorite year Mustangs. Don’t know why everyone gets all excited about aftermarket radios. Everybody in those days upgraded the radios. With the advent of FM radio, 8 Track and cassette players coming out in that era it was natural for the folks to install them in their cars. Had a couple Porsches with upgrades that didn’t seem to get anyone very excited. Allmon Brothers Band sounded really good in our ’64 C coupe cassette player radio.
Because it has the 3.91:1 rear gear & if that is factory, doesn’t that make it a SCJ DragPak car? Cannot see from the pictures if it has the oil cooler in front of the radiator…
I recently aquired one that looks almost identical but without rear window slats , had been trying to buy for 20ish years . Mine has 428 scj , close ratio 4 speed, 4:30 trac lock differential, staggered rear shocks , Drag Pack car.. ram air shaker , AM Radio , consol, dash clock, tach , seat belts and fold down rear seat. Candy apple red, black mach 1 striping , was running and parked in approx 1977 has 2nd owners high school tassel still hanging on mirror
The 1969 Mach 1 is one of my all-time favorites. This one looks solid but obviously cries for a high-quality paint job. A few nitpicky comments, if one desires to bring it to the next level: original owner and always west coast car, then why the 30 day tags in 2022; GT center caps (should be plain); the center gauges and (especially) the aftermarket tach look out of place; the console needs attention; a set of repro whitewalls (as originally equipped) or white letters would look great.
So, speaking of next level, these are easy six figure cars when in top condition. For such a cool car I think it deserves upgrades, which won’t be cheap.
Mine has those same wheels and rear window slats , the s code gt package came with those options stock
window slats were a dealer added option, none came stock with this feature.
You’d be hard pressed to find any car that’s still around from this era, in an unrestored condition, that didn’t have owner added things like tape decks, gauges, or performance mods. They drove these things. They didn’t put them away in a glass case.
3,91 rear end usually means Super Cobra Jet,which even with an auto would dip into the 13’s in most car mags of the period.Probably why it’s soared past the reserve,Mustang people know 3.91=SCJ.
Number of cylinders says 2, and out of the six tail lights only one has the outer chrome trim.
Ask buyer, Do homework, make your SCJ checklist, & Get a pro from Mustang Club to look over what the high point here is – the SCJ engine, to make sure the pieces and receipts are there.
On a 1969 Mustang, Torino: the Door Data Plate (not VIN) would show the AXLE code and this one should be “V”, for 3.91.
When ordering the 428 CJ Mustang, a buyer specifying either the 3.91 or 4.30 “Optional Axle Ratio”, Ford would automatically spec the 428 a Super Cobra Jet, and the mandatory engine upgrades over the standard CJ 428 would be made .
Ford’s Super Cobra Jet Engine, high rpm upgrades include engine oil cooler (cannot see if these are here in Seller pics – ask), HD LeMans rods, HD capscrews and big “hatchet” balancer behind the harmonic balancer (to help balance the heavy LeMans rods on this externally balanced engine)
Also missing from a 428 CJ/SCJ engine here is the factory water pump (would have Fins), Clutch-type radiator fan, cast and finned “428 Cobra Jet” valve covers.
Heater return lines plugged at water pump and looks like intake manifold also. Distributor not OEM.
Correct Date code Holley 735 cfm 4V Carb runs over $1,000., so I would ask to see the Holley and check the date on it
SCJ Auto trans is heavy duty C6 with IRON Tailshaft – make sure that is there.
Get a pro and have your checklist on the parts to make sure rebuilt as SCJ – not saying anything except do your homework and ask buyer questions, give him the first shot at answering your inquiries.
Buy it (if you have the cash) drive it, enjoy it the way it is. Investing the cash to restore will come back to haunt as the market collapses
A real beauty. I would spend the $$$ for the best paint job I could buy to finish it off and start winning trophies.
I agree with TorinoSCJ69……a whole lot needs to checked out on this……lots of inconsistencies & incorrect parts….it would be really “stupid money” spent on this one…..I don’t think most enthusiasts have any idea what they’re getting into with paint, bodywork & hard to find missing parts like this one…..no way this car deserves 6 figures……
I don’t see how this seller can be the original owner. The original owner should have an older metal license plate, regardless of state. A closeup photo shows the rear license plate to be a Texas temporary license plate issued in December 2021 with the expiration date in February 2022. It says Texas right on it. I also know this because I live in Texas and have a temporary license plate from a car that I purchased in 2021 that looks just like this one. You can’t read it in the photo, but in the lower left-hand corner of the temporary tag it shows the vehicle’s VIN and the name of the dealer. To me it looks like the current seller is a flipper who bought the car in Texas.
Factory Horsepower rating was 335 NOT 360 as described.
Buy the car, enjoy it, or park and restore it. The naysayers always say the same about this market. It is alive and well and has moved to another level. The individuals who purchase these rare cars are not your average joe. These are investments, and will continue to rise in price, regardless of current economic trends or speculations. Anytime you have a rare and limited product, price will always reflect that value. The market will never ever revert back to where the average consumer will be able to afford the greatest cars ever manufactured in this nation .
With the “soft” citizens this country has been producing since the 1980’s? If we ever got into an actual depression? You’d see these speculators giving these things away, for cans of food. When your biggest concern is where to park your Porsche? You don’t have a CLUE about hardship.
Where is the alternator?
Bolted to the right front side of the engine where it should be. You can see it in several of the engine photos.
These cars were dirt cheap in the mid/late 70s, thus cutting into dashes and the other bits an owner down the line would have done. A friend of mine in the Navy had one of these (428 4sp) when I met him in ’76. Got 6-8 mpg IIRC, and it was too much expense on a lower ranking enlisted sailor. I don’t recall exactly, but he sold it for something like $2K or less.
It’s crazy to see cars in this condition going for the big $$$ these days, but sign of the times. Not to mention what it would take to bring it back.
Sure love these yr Mustangs though, hope it goes to a good home.