Parked 15 Years: 1969 Big Block Mach 1

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There weren’t a whole lot of big block Mustangs built, and it’s even rarer to find one with factory air conditioning! This particular car has been in Reno, Nevada its whole life up until now (and isn’t far away now in Sparks) and is available here on eBay, where bidding has climbed past any reserve to just over $15,000.

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I can’t say I’m a fan of the “torq thrust” wheels, nor the jacked up rear springs. However, the car as a whole appears quite original, including what I think is factory Lime Gold paint. I don’t personally remember seeing those stripes on 1969 Mustangs, but it does look like the “type 4” stripe on this page.

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The seller tells us that the only areas of real concern are the spot in the trunk lid that has rusted through and some minor dings and dents, one of which you can see here just behind the driver’s side front wheel. I guess it will depend on the final auction price whether I’d agree with that statement, but if you are looking for an original big block early Mustang with air conditioning, you don’t have a lot to choose from!

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Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t give us a good clear shot of the interior, but they do state that it will require a new dash pad and headliner. I wonder what the front seats look like? Could I live with them for a while? What about the dash pad and headliner?

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To me, the worst thing about this find is that you might have to pull that 390 that barely fits in that engine compartment in the first place. The engine doesn’t currently run (not surprising considering there’s no distributor cap, rotor or plug wires!) and we don’t even know if it is free at the moment or not. We’re told it has 56,000 original miles so I’m surprised there are many issues getting it to run at all. That being said–would you like to be the one running it next? I know I would!

Comments

  1. Dan

    I helped a buddy put a set of headers on a 1967 390 mustang one time….couple hours later, I told him, “ya might as well put a set of plugs in it, while we have the engine out”…..if was a major pain to put headers on….

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  2. Pete

    Dan, You just reminded my of the 75 to 77 mustangs with the 302 engine. A lot of people never changed the back two spark plugs because of that reason. Had to lift up the engine just to get to them.

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    • Dan

      Yeah I understand Pete, I have a 1990 IROC Camaro I bought new, now has 52000 miles. I put a set of plugs in it one time and took me 4 hours and 45 minutes to get all 8 in….a real pain, at the same time I put plugs in my ’55 Chevy….took 20 minutes….lol….

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      • Jamie Palmer JamieAuthor

        I hate to say this, but you haven’t changed plugs until you’ve tried a late V12 XJS. Step one is move the AC compressor out of the way. It gets worse from there. A friend that ran a Jag repair department said the book time was 9 hours. Don’t know if it’s true or not but it took me 9-1/2 and I had help for 4 of those.

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      • DolphinMember

        Nine hours for a plug change by an experienced mechanic….phew.

        One more reason to justify me never owning an XJS.

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      • Jack

        Sounds like a love/hate dream!

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      • racer99

        Started my spark plug changing horror stories with a 1970 Cobra Jet Torino complete with a/c. Step one was loosen the motor mounts and jack up the engine. I think the first set took me about as long as Dan’s IROC.

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      • John H. in CT

        Same problem exists when changing rear exhaust manifold on XK150S. No way possible for a guy with normal sized hands to put on last retaining nuts. I discovered a unique solution. See pic.

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  3. Jim

    I patched up one of these full of rust back in the early 70s.

    These poor cars didn’t last long because of that, and any found are a treasure.

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  4. Djs

    I would hope the engin can be rebuilt and its a all numbers match car but for 15,000 not a bad price but will take at least 10,000 to make it back to orig, still nice buy,

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  5. JW

    I agree if the price stays reasonable this would make for a real nice musclecar when restored.

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  6. z28th1s

    Personally, I think Torq Thrust wheels are one of the best looking set of wheels you can put on an older muscle car!

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  7. piper62j

    I like it.. I mentioned before that I had a 69 Mach 1 w/427 engine.. Kicking my self for letting it go.. It was mint.. You know the scenario,,,,, Kids, bills, house, wife… Anyway, the guy I sold it to sold it to some kid who wrecked it..

    This one is a money maker if you can do the work yourself.. No worries on the engine. Pull the plugs (take your time), WD40 or Marvel Mystery Oil all the cylinders for a few days and see if the crank will turn over by hand with a wrench.. I’ve done it many times with seized engines and it worked.. If there is major damage, pull the pan and have a look see.. I know these cars inside out and their value will continue to rise.. If I didn’t already have 3 projects, this one would be mine..

    Great find and great car.

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  8. Roselandpete

    The 69 Mustang is my all time fave and it wouldn’t have to be a Mach 1. A plain sportsroof would be fine. I just love the style.

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    • JoeNYWF64

      & if the fastback’s got the strait 6, you could change the plugs in the dark in 10 minutes lol.
      Ford should have made that body style thru ’73!! or later.
      & only changed the tailites in ’70, not the front end.
      What would the sales have been with this body style after the 1st gas crisis was over, considering how well the 2nd gen GM F bodies sold in ’75 & later?

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  9. racer99

    Like this car a lot. Interesting that the dash and front seat pics are missing but those parts can be replaced. The partially dis-assembled motor would scare me more. Still decently priced at $16+K with 9 hours left.

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  10. leiniedude leiniedudeMember

    Sold, $18,688.00 36 bids.

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  11. Stephen Bivin

    Basic Cragar SS Mags are the way to go

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