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Parked In 1988: 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Is there a sadder sight than a classic car that has been left to fend for itself against all that Mother Nature has to throw at it? That is the case with this 1969 Mustang Mach 1, and it has paid the penalty for years of inattention. It would have been a potent and desirable package when it was new, but it will take a power of work for it to recapture its glory days. If you believe that you are up for the challenge, you will find it located in Camby, Indiana, and listed for sale here on eBay. It seems that there are plenty of people who can see the potential here because there have already been 28 bids submitted. This has pushed the price along to $3,366, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

When you look at the faded and ruined paint on the Mach 1, it is hard to believe that it rolled off the production line wearing Black Jade paint with a Black hood. The faded paint is the least of this car’s problems because there is plenty of rust for the buyer to contend with. Rust has impacted all of the usual areas like the lower rear quarter panels and many of the remaining lower body extremities. Surprisingly, the area around the back window looks quite promising, but the news takes a downward spiral when we start delving below the surface. The floors have their fair share of rust, and it looks like the front inner fender on the passenger side might also have some rot. We can’t see the state of the frame rails or torque box region, so that is a bit of a lottery. My big concern in this photo is the large lump of rusted steel that has fallen from somewhere and is lying on the trailer. You have to wonder from where that came. It looks like there is plenty of trim and chrome that will require attention, but the tinted glass seems quite reasonable.

Things are no more pleasant when you take a look around the engine bay, which is a shame when you consider the drivetrain configuration. The Mach 1 is believed to be a numbers-matching vehicle that features an M-Code 351ci V8. In its prime, this would have produced 290hp, which was sent to the 3.25 rear end via a 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission. Power steering and power front disc brakes would have been the icing on the cake. This combination would have been capable of sending the Mustang through the ¼ mile in a flat 15 seconds. This Mach 1 is your standard “ran when parked” proposition, but it is worth considering that it was parked in 1988. Given the amount of rust and corrosion present throughout the vehicle, I’m slightly surprised that the engine still turns freely. It might take some tinkering, but it may be possible to coax the 351 back to life. Whether it will need more than some minor resuscitation work will only be determined once the engine is thoroughly inspected.

I’m a bit surprised by the Mustang’s interior because its condition is better than I could have hoped. The upholstery on the seats looks like it would respond positively to a deep clean, while the same appears to be true of the door trims. The console’s lid will require replacement, as will the dash pad, the rim-blow wheel, and the carpet. The original AM radio is still present, and the owner is including a spare passenger side dash fascia with the factory clock. Also included is a gauge cluster with the factory tachometer.

The listing for this 1969 Mach 1 seems to prove that the 1st Generation Mustang’s popularity shows no signs of diminishing. This one will require a dedicated individual if it is to be returned to its best, but the bidding indicates that there are plenty of people who are willing to give it a shot. I know that our Barn Finds readers are an enthusiastic and determine group of people, so are any of you prepared to bid on this one?

Comments

  1. Avatar angliagt Member

    Is this one of those “Rust free Indiana cars”?

    Like 9
    • Avatar markp

      Yes, No extra charge for the rust

      Like 14
  2. Avatar 8banger Member

    This engine bay looks like the current state of the Titanic’s engine room. I wouldn’t fire this thing up for all the tea in China. Just sayin.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Rustytech Member

    Is it structurally sound? Way more work than I would consider at my age.

    Like 10
    • Avatar stu

      Rustytech….
      Sure it’s structurally sound…there is a new paint called fixall….they say if you spray the entire car it will hold it together like glue! And yes…let it dry for two days and it would be road and sea worthy!!

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

    Ran when sunk.

    Like 18
  5. Avatar rustyvet

    It has a four-speed… that is the only thing about this that is good.

    Like 6
  6. HoA Howard A Member

    Pretty amazing, a car so coveted today, and for the most part, THIS is how I remember most of them. While it stole the show for someone in ’69, by the late ’70’s, nobody wanted them and by the 80’s, this is how they ended up. They were great $500 beaters with heaters( they actually had good heaters even though they got stuck going downhill in the snow) to finish off what the previous decade of owners didn’t do, kill it altogether. Again, for those that missed the era, they will have to pour a ton of money, which apparently is no problem today, into this, when for $500 bucks, we did the same thing, and weren’t afraid to drive it either, in all weather, as obviously shown.

    Like 12
  7. Avatar DON

    I could use those Mopar Rallye wheels that are on it…

    Like 4
    • Avatar RNR

      First I thought they were MoPar Ralleys, then the center caps started to look like AMC to me, but there is a close up of a wheel center in the eBay listing that shows a Ford logo stamped in the wheel.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Steve

        Ranger wheels

        Like 4
  8. Avatar bone

    I’m guessing it was repainted ? It looks like this was Brittany blue at one time in its life

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Dave

    A 69 mustang 4 speed is always going to be sought after. The bid activity attests to this. In the end, someone is going to restore it.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Claudio Mallone

      Do the math…. What is the cost of a fully restored car like this?
      Someone willing to do all the work on there spare time or is home from covid will probably buy it…This is the thinking of most people bidding on a car like this…

      WHAT CAN IT POSSIBLY COST ME TO FIX IT? I’LL DO ALL THE WORK!

      I’ll pass. This car is not even sea worthy…lol

      Like 1
    • Avatar Steve R

      It’s more likely a VIN donor that’s restoration candidate.

      Steve R

      Like 2
  10. Avatar Rosko

    The title may be the only “clean” thing about this one. Although, I’m sure somone will pony up (ouch) the cash to save her.

    Like 5
  11. Avatar Mike

    This could be a great car….the buyer just needs to change out anything made of metal…..

    Like 7
  12. Avatar JOHN SZUGDA Member

    You do not deserve to put a reserve on a car that you did not want nor cared for. Unbelievable!

    Like 2
    • Avatar stu

      I never understood why anyone would store any car so poorly and just let it wither away….

      Like 1
  13. Avatar Karl

    If this car were to be restored the costs would so far out do any potential return that not only would your time be free but half of the hard costs also!
    I am old enough now and have restored enough vehicles that all I see here is a very large hole to throw 100 dollar bills into!

    Like 5
  14. Avatar JT

    I remind Barn Finders that there are plenty of people for whom money is not the determinant of a project. This country has 630 billionaires, 11 million millionaires, so that leaves plenty of people who would see this as a challenge to restore a car and not an investment. I hope those that can, continue to put the cars that we love back on the road.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Karl

      Well said JT I must be the selfish type only thinking of me again. You are right!

      Like 0
      • Avatar stu

        lol…..

        Like 0
    • Avatar Ralph

      JT your point is well made and considered. Yet the wealthy car guys (and those willing to do a restoration), usually prefer to begin with the best example available at a reasonable price. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a friend bought a Ferrari 308 for 6K. Bought a week after the storm, under 10 feet of water. After a couple years of pretty constant work and insane expense, he now has a very sweet toy.
      This car is best suited to those Trust Fund babies, still in their 20’s. This is a truly a Loch Ness monster.

      Like 1
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Thanks for those numbers, however, it’s little consolation for us that are cutting our medications in half. 11 million millionaires is a pretty substantial number, I don’t think many, including me, expected that. Billionaires don’t count, as I could see someone making a product that could easily make them millionaires today, but billionaires, I’m sorry, that’s old money. Besides, you think someone with millions of dollars is going to waste their time with this crap? They’ll sit at the next auction, and buy that pretty blue restored one coming down the line, who cares what it costs.

      Like 2
  15. Avatar Howie Mueler

    I like how they put “The Vehicle Needs Work”

    Like 2
  16. Avatar JBD

    My first car was a similar 351/4 speed car I bought for $300 and drove it home. My car was actually in much better shape with less options. Unreal to see this much activity. Everyone should own one once in there life. The 351 is a good street cruiser, very goo for a daily driver. I have owned three ‘69 mach1of 72k made, a ‘69 cougar XR-7, & a Torino GT.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar cyclemikey

    Too much structural rot. But – seats, some interior trim, glass, 4-speed, very likely rebuildable M-code engine, and VIN plate. Probably worth the 6-8K it’s approaching now.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Billy

    Buy a super clean 69 fastback convert with all Mack 1 parts and re-vin it with the Mach 1 numbers. then call it a total restoration

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Kenn

    The trouble with the super wealthy buying and restoring vehicles beyond the reach of many of us is that they don’t “drive them to the cars and coffee” outings, but keep them in temp. controlled storage until selling them to other wealthy folks at the auctions. So, I actually don’t envy them. I envy the single-car-owner/restorer who drives and enjoys his ride.

    Like 2
  20. Avatar Jason O

    It’s at 4K now and still not at reserve yet, I’d love to know how far away from reserve it is. Anything can be restored, but I think the cost of this 69 plus the price of a donor car, that’s what going to be the story to tell if this car is worth restoring. I just hope it’s not a reserve price based on what the end product is worth, as maybe they don’t know just how much work is truly involved in restoring this car, verses paying a little bit more for a decent donor car and restoring it.
    I’d be very interested in buying this car, but I think the reserve price might scare the crap out of me, as I’ve got to include the price of having it shipped to the port of my choice, and then to ship it back to Australia.
    I’m going to have to just keep watching the price I guess.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Billy

      Jason O

      Anyone buying this car is purchasing a parts car and a VIN.

      Like 1

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