Hoping to interject some buyer interest in its aging Mustang, Ford introduced the Mach 1 performance-oriented model in 1969. It would prove popular through the rest of the first-generation run (1973). The seller has two Mach 1 editions for sale, one each from 1969 and 1970. While both are “real deal” products, though the ’69 version has had a mechanical upgrade. Located in Chandler, Arizona, the pair is available as a package deal here on eBay. Only one bid has materialized so far at $35,000, but the duo can be had for $75,000.
From a high of 607,000 Mustangs in 1966, the product line sold about half that number in 1968 (317,000). Competition was part of the problem, so enter the Mach 1. While Mustang sales continued to dip in 1969 (300,000 cars), 24% or 72,000 units would be the hot new Mach 1, available only as a fastback. That would be the peak for the Mach 1 as 1970 only saw 41,000 units out of a pot of 191,000 Mustangs. Until the automobile was reinvented in 1974 as the Mustang II (subcompact pony car), the decline would continue.
How the seller came about having two Mach 1s isn’t known, but the cars seem to have a lot of promise, not basket cases as we sometimes see. According to the seller, what they have in common is that all their glass is there, all the trim is present and in good condition, and there is a lack of rust in major places, For the rest, let’s take a look at each car separately.
1969 Mach 1
This is the one wearing grey primer. It’s a two-owner car that’s said to only have about 16,000 original miles. It was built as an H-code Mach 1 with a 351 cubic inch “Windsor” V8 but was converted to an R-code clone with a 428 FE motor and C6 automatic transmission. Things are ship-shape mechanically including the fuel and cooling systems and the brakes. What remains to be done is finish the body, add paint, and do some work inside the black interior.
1970 Mach 1
Finished in red with a matching interior, this one left the factory with an M-code 351 V8 (4-barrel) which remains in play to this day. The transmission and rear end are original as is the Shaker apparatus. The car doesn’t have power assist with either the steering or brakes (which are drums all around). We’re told this Mustang is rust-free in key areas, providing for a straight body to work with. The seller refers to this car as more of an unrestored survivor that could serve as a daily driver or for weekend outings.
Pretty good deal here really, 2 for the price of 1, for the price of 1 Challanger that is, and with a Challanger, you might even be lucky and get a motor with it lol. These are two pretty decent cars, unlike many, but I think the seller might do better breaking up the pair, not everybody can afford two. Then again, some people can. Well worth restoring in any case
Nothing personal Russ but how did this one avoid Adam Clarke? Lol. Nice duo of old school & nice write up. Only negative here is the bloodbath red interior on the 70.
What happened to the 1969 model after 16k miles which requires body, paint, and interior work?
I could have bought a wrecked 69 Mark 3 Continental with less than 150 miles on it back in 1984. Our local F-L-M dealer got it in and a salesman took it home, then to a bar and then to the towyard after rolling it over several times. They had all nos body panels to fix it but never did. It sat in a building with a 14,000 mile Sublime Superbird, 440/4 barrel/ column shift.
What a messy pair for dream on $. The ’69 is not going to have the reinforced shock towers or staggered rear shocks ect. it really needs to put the power to the ground and keep from pulling the front end apart. Primer cars hide a multitude of body issues as well. The ’70 has the mice M code and shaker option but nothing else. The bucket seats are miss matched and shot and calipso coral exterior goes way better with a white interior or black as the dash as rest of it is. Good luck to the buyer and open your wallet very wide to get these to up to par but they do deserve to be fixed properly.
Oddly, ’68-’81 f-bodies even with any straight 6 or v6 have staggered rear shocks. Go figure.