Sometimes unexpected changes in their life mean that people are forced to part with a classic car that they have grown to love and cherish. That is the case with this 1969 Ford Mustang. Major health issues mean that the owner is now faced with the prospect of selling a classic that he can no longer drive and enjoy. Its overall condition is very impressive, meaning that the next lucky owner can hit the road immediately. Located in Glen Rose, Texas, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $8,255, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The Mustang is finished in Silver Jade, which was the second most popular color to be applied to a Mustang in 1969. A total of 30,211 cars wore this shade, making it second only to Candyapple Red in popularity. The owner uses the phrase “original everything” in his listing, which suggests that The Mustang has never received any sort of restoration work. If this is true, then the paint is in exceptional condition for its age. It shines beautifully across the entire car, and I can see no signs of any fading or patchiness. There are some minor chips visible, but they are few and far between. It would appear that the vehicle has spent the majority of its life in Texas, and that has helped it to remain rust-free. There is some dry surface corrosion in a few spots, but the Mustang appears to be structurally sound. The panels look clean, with the lower extremities showing no signs of bubbling or any other problems. The wheels aren’t original, but the original hubcaps are sitting in the trunk. The trim and chrome seem to be in good condition, and I can’t spot any issues with the glass.
The 1969 model year saw the introduction of the L-Code 250ci engine into the Mustang range. This six-cylinder unit produces a respectable 155hp, and in this case, those horses find their way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is also fitted with power steering, which should make it an effortless thing to drive in city traffic. The 250 represented an interesting compromise within the Mustang range. It offered significantly improved performance over the base T-Code 200, but better fuel consumption figures than the V8. This car should be capable of covering the ¼ mile in 18.3 seconds, but should still be able to return an average fuel consumption of 15.7 mpg. The presentation of the engine could best be described as spotless. It isn’t clear whether it has ever received any mechanical work or a rebuild, but I can see evidence that it has been attacked with a rattle-can at some point. There is some minor overspray in a few spots, but this could be cleaned with little effort. The rest of the engine bay looks to be in about the state that I would expect from a Texas survivor of this vintage. The owner floats the idea that the Mustang is the perfect candidate for a V8 upgrade, and this is a possibility to consider. However, the vehicle is said to run and drive like new, and also has a claimed 62,000 genuine miles on the clock. If these facts are correct, then I probably wouldn’t be in a hurry to change too much.
Apart from the aftermarket console, the interior appears to be completely original. The factory radio is still sitting in the dash, while there are no signs of any additional gauges or sound system components. The owner does refer to the interior as being original, and it has survived the past 51-years remarkably well. The seats are free from rips or noticeable wear, while the dash and the headliner appear to be spotless. The only flaws that I can spot are some wrinkling of the driver’s door trim and some possible fading of the carpet. The door trim should be able to be fixed, and with little in the way of wear on the carpet, I would live with the insignificant amount of fading. It simply isn’t bad enough to justify replacement. The console is an item that does leave me torn. I don’t think that it’s horrible, and it is a practical addition. My logical side says that it should stay, but the purist in me feels that it should go.
Being forced to part with a classic car due to health issues is a difficult decision. Your heart wants to keep the vehicle, but your head says that it needs to go to an owner who can drive and appreciate your pride and joy. I have to say that I am surprised that the owner does float the idea of a V8 upgrade because most sellers of classics in this sort of condition are generally opposed to those sorts of changes in a car that they have grown to know like the back of their hand. That is a decision for the buyer to make, and it would be interesting to know what path they eventually choose to follow. If you bought this Mustang, what would you do?
Very nice. I like to see the basic coupes which were the most prevalent models. Cool period-correct color. Probably has had some restoration work done on it already.
The seller has the knee-jerk reaction to “put a V8 in it”; for me, keeping the six cylinder is fine— not everything has to be a muscle car.
I agree. Other then an upgraded radio system I would leave it alone too. It looks good to me in it’s basic form. I would also leave it alone for respect for it’s original owner. I’m sure they would be happy to see it a few years down the road in it’s natural state being cared for as much as they did.
I always thought that the add on reversed vent on the rear quarter looked tacked on, maybe it would look better facing the front? Nice common car which was more likely to be seen everyday, rather than all of the fire breathing, muscled up versions some of us have come to expect! GLWTA!! :-)
yes. KEEP THE 6 !
Leave it alone and drive it!
Makes we wonder where this car spent its life. 62k miles and it needed a full repaint and has a fair amount of undercarriage rust. This car has had a lot of work done to it to pretty it up. Still it could be nice cruiser. I would also leave it the six banger.
If I’m not mistaken, doesn’t it say in the description that the paint is the original paint?
This is my first car that I bought used in 1970, except mine had a 302. A lot of good memories!
I would keep the 6 and tune it.
As an aside, I find it interesting that they wanted close to $40k for the low mile ’71 318 pea green Challenger featured on here recently yet this may go for around $10k? They both have around 150 HP. I bet the Stang is lighter and probably a quicker and better performing car than a 318 challenger overall too. And a better color and I think a nicer interior…
Nah, 318 was always rated at 230 hp before 1972. I always found it ironic that the Magnum 5.3 was rated 230 net in trucks and the 5.9 was 245. Stock, I would expect that 250 to return at least 30 mpg on the highway.
True but 0-60 on a 71 318 auto Challenger is around 10 sec. This lighter mustang is probably about the same. You could put some bolt ons, dual exhaust to sound a little better stay and can go back to stock if you want. Save $20k.
Leave it just as it is. This car is to nice to change..there are enough cars out there needing work that you can put the V8 into and make a restomod. This one deserves respect as it is. Beautiful car.
Agree on leaving the six but after hearing one with a good dual exhaust system I would certainly want this one to sound that good. If you want more power out of the six cylinders there are good cams and intake systems out there that do wonders for them without getting too far away from stock. This would be a great car to do something like that with. Do like the wheel upgrade. Fits this very nice car.
bobhess the intake is a part of the cylinder head on 144 cu in through 250. There was someone who had cast a head for the 200 with separate intake
That’s good to know. Wondered why there are aftermarket heads for these engines. They looked like they used bolt on intake manifolds. Don’t remember what the brand was. Still, great car.
Chevrolet, Chrysler and AMC had sperate intake manifold
This is a nice car.
It may be in Texas now but it originally was sent to Canada. The DSO code is B2.