Sometimes in life, it is worth taking a risk. The original owner of this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 parked it in this shed way back in 1985. It sat unloved and neglected for decades. When he passed away, the current owners purchased the vehicle from his widow. They had no real idea of what they were getting themselves into, but it appears that they managed to back a winner. They have undertaken a meticulous revival process with the Mustang. However, they are now faced with the prospect of parting with a classic of which they are very fond. Therefore, they have listed the Mach 1 for sale here on Facebook. It is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the asking price has been set at $35,000.
Now that’s what I call a transformation! When the current owners rolled the Mustang out of the shed and gave it a careful inspection, what they found was a remarkably solid classic. They note a couple of minor rust holes in the floor, but there are no issues with the rest of the vehicle. The panels appear to be very straight, with no signs of any invasion by the dreaded tin worm. They state that the Mach 1 has been treated to a repaint in its original Calypso Coral at some point before 1985. They have had to do little to the exterior beyond some hard work with the pressure washer and polish. They have performed no additional touch-up work, and have refitted the badges and other trim pieces that the original owner removed before placing the classic in storage. The bumpers are showing some deterioration, and they could be restored or replaced. The wheels aren’t original, but as you can see in the first photo, these were fitted to the car when the current owners purchased it. They say that the Mustang would make a fantastic base for a restoration project, although they have been using it as-is for some time. For someone hunting for a proud survivor, this is a car that might possess the right look for them.
Powering the Mach 1 is a 351ci Cleveland V8, which is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. This combination should be producing somewhere in the region of 300hp and should see the Mustang comfortably covering the ¼ mile in 14.4 seconds. It is worth noting that the vehicle was initially equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission, but this was upgraded by the original owner. After sitting for decades, this is a classic that needed some work before it could be considered to be roadworthy. The owners enlisted professionals to revive the 351, and these people fitted a new Holley carburetor in place of the original 4-barrel. They also replaced a few of the engine’s peripherals, along with the fuel tank, fuel pump, and all of the fuel lines. That has seen the engine returned to good health. Also, the entire braking system, including all of the lines, hoses, discs, and the master cylinder, have been replaced. The result of all of this hard work is a Mach 1 that is said to run and drive nicely.
When they were considering how to tackle the revival of the Mustang, the owners put a lot of thought into the interior. It would have been easy to source an interior trim kit and to have the interior shining like a new penny. They didn’t do that. They replaced the carpet and insulation but left the remaining Vermillion Knitted Vinyl trim original. It is showing its age a bit. There are a couple of splits in the seats and some obvious issues with the door trims. However, it looks quite serviceable and could remain untouched if the buyer wants to preserve this car as an original survivor. Beyond the upholstery issues, the rest of the interior seems to be in decent condition. There are no significant problems with the dash or pad, while the console also appears to be in good condition. Some aftermarket gauges are hanging under the dash, but the rest of the interior remains untouched.
The owners of this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 claim that they have invested a lot of time and effort into returning the car to a roadworthy state. That it could have sat for decades in the lean-to barn without succumbing to major rust problems is quite remarkable. I could fully understand why someone would want to buy this classic and then treat it to a full restoration. It has sound bones and lends itself perfectly to that sort of project. I could also understand if someone wanted to address the rust in the floor, and then leave the rest of the vehicle mostly untouched. In its current state, it is a beautiful classic that has a great story to tell. I don’t know what path I would follow if I bought it. What would you do?
Drive it, enjoy it, fix it up as you go. These cars were not built for car shows but built for the road, strip, etc.
For about the same money, I’ll take the ’69 Vette with the rat motor.
Agreed! 👍
I would do the same thing I did with my Javelin, drive it with as much original paint as possible but I don’t think I would pay that much to do it.
That’s a minty ride you got there bud
Nice looking car. Shouldn’t there be a big white star, on the doors and hood? jk
Price a little high to have to totally restore I go 28,000 and just keep it on the road and enjoy it
IMHO, if the stang spent any amount of time in the environment where the first pic shows it, it will be a rustang. As like any other pricey old car a good inspection by some one who knows where mustangs rust (everywhere), is mandatory.. Sure looks nice now and I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but know what you are buying. Good luck and stay safe!
Cheers
I concur. I wonder if the widow was paid 800 or 1000 for the rusty muddier vehicle?
I was thinking the same thing and they knew they were ripping her off. Hopefully, she knew what it was worth and got at least $20.000
How after 35 years in humid rodent filled Tenn. could this car not have rust and rodent nests etc. etc. in it.
I dunno….seems kinda too good.
Gotta love the trailer hitch. Had my share of these in the 70s, not a fan anymore as I have dealt with all that.Always had a great love- hate thing with Mustangs in general.
Buy it and drive the heck out of it for the car that it is, not the show only boring type of car it isn’t. Nice looking stang in arguably the best looking Mustang body style with Cleveland power and four gears. It’s not supposed to be pretty, more like some women I’ve….known,,,,, loads of fun but a little on the trashy side.
Really? Now faced with the prospect of parting with the classic? They likely bought it for a song. Washed and waxed it, got it running (no other restoration money spent) and they are gonna flip it for a mighty profit. They aren’t faced with a prospect, as if they are forced to sell.
Some honesty would be refreshing.
“Parked” or “Stored”?
You could get a Mach 1 in 1970 with a 3 speed manual – Really???
Standard powertrain in ’69 and ’70 Mach 1 was 351 2-barrel with a 3-speed manual.
A 1970 Mach 1 with a 351 2 bbl probably wasn’t much quicker than a’65 289 due weight and pollution controls. I didn’t realize a Mach 1 could be so mild.
Yes you could! And this looks like it has a 3 speed, look at the shifter. 70’s had flat shifter that said HURST on the side.
Do they have the original parts with the car .carb. why wasn’t that rebuilt.
Very cool find especially since it’s a factory 4speed. However the asking price is $10-12k to high. It’s still needs roughly $10-12k of restoration at minimum.
EMC, it is not a factory 4 speed manual transmission the add said it was originally a 3 speed manual transmission and the original owner had it changed to a 4 speed manual transmission.
Hmmmm…. Is that the same car?
The 69′ Dodge Dart Swinger 340 came standard with the manual 3 speed. I do not know of any that have that. All the ones I know of are 727 automatics and 833 4-speeds. I do not understand why manufacturers would have a 3 speed manual as standard to a performance car, unless it was a way to add a few more dollars to the cost of the car, without changing the Base price.
I knew a guy back in the 1980’s that put 3 speed transmissions in all of his 4 speed old hot rods. He said the 3 speed transmission was geared better for drag racing. The guy beefed up a lot of Firebirds & Lemans (Pontiac nut). They always had a 3 speed in them.
If I was able get this mustang all I would do is fix the two rust holes in the floor if they haven’t been fixed yet that is and leave the rest of the car alone.
And watch the rest of it slowly burst out b4 your 👀
Steve you would also want to find where the water was coming in and fix it and made sure all the leaks were fixed. If not,in a little while you have alot of rust in the floor.Some of the leaks are really hard to find.
My experience with water on the floor boards is condensation at the roof rails. That’s why it’s so important if you have a heater core leak, you must fix immediately or block off the lines going to it. When under cover or on a hot day I like to crack my windows a little, to vent the interior.
Yes and check and replace the sealing around the drip rail along the roof. The filler will crack with age and needs replaced every so often and get a good brand too.
Nice car. I,d say they ripped the widow off .Gave he a long list of things it needed and probably paid a couple hundred dollars for it. Then ask a arm and a leg for it. If they lied to her to get it. They will lie to anyone interested in it. Check it really good and DON,T fall for their lies. Look at EVERYTHING AND CHECK EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU BUY. I was almost scammed. The car sat on BARE GROUND. Not a good sign. Check under neithe the car really good
Nice car. Lots of questions….That 351C-4V ,with a little tweaking will do well over 350hp. The ports and valves were HUGE in those motors…..
I had a 69 coup I found out in the woods while hunting grouse the car was in very good condition front bumper, lower valance, grill and hood needed work/replacement it had hit something. After looking the car over I went back there with a battery and the car started right up and idled perfectly. I talked to the owner and got the car for 200.00. it had the rally pack interior and virtually no rust what so ever! As usual I fixed it all up and sold it, needed the money since I was still in HS!
My sister and I fixed up a 77 Pontiac firebird for my niece. Rebuilt the motor –put a whole new front end under it-new tires painted it–the works. I told my niece to take it and get a front end alignment . She didn,t and a little while later told me she needed new tires on the front. I told her to buy them.She didn,t do as I had told her.As time went on–I talked to her onFacebook and asked about the car.Her father in law was suppose to have touched up the paint. She said all the did was park it in the woods and did I know anyone who wanted to buy it. I asked her what she wanted for it. She told me $500. I asked if she had the keys and title and she answered yes. I told her I would buy it. It sat in the woods about 5 years–had moss growing on it and the car was filthy. My cousin and I went to start it up. I put the battery in it and asked my cousin to hit it. It didn,t turn over all the way and fired right up and ilded like you had just parked it. Now I am fixing it back up and I would not give it to her again or any other vehicle
Love car had 70 coupe with a Ralph Moody rebuild had 475hp would fly.now to get to the point checking this car out would be the smart thing before you buy look for Rustin trunk corners and around back window that is where they tend to rust the worst good luck to ever who buy’s it
Had a complete factory correct 1969 mustang mach 1 in 1980 and it was factory 351 windsor two barrel and three speed with console just as this one looks
Maybe it’s age not sure but it seems I have a lot more desire for an older Cougar more so than a mustang. That Eliminator that was on here a bit ago!
All these nay-sayers that think this car is priced too high … you’ve got to consider the cost of restoration materials.
For example:
I’d bet there is at least 30 grand worth of body putty under that paint. 🤣 Ha!
I have a 1967 Cougar XR 7
I know my ‘69 with red interior has a red dash, console and carpets, seems like a strange combo on this car to have that red/black combo. I’m guessing that’s not original?
Nice car but I would like to see all black interior then orange on the outside with red seats and black dash and carpet!! That’s just me though!! For this kind of money I would expect a little nicer condition than a fix-er-up-er with the idea of fix it as you go!! Great body style and a 4 speed makes the car that much better!!
LIE,S LIE,s,Typical Car Sale,s B.S.
11K on the miles… Hahahahahah… yep, another original