The owner of this 1969 Mustang purchased it from the original owner in 1986. After using it for 5-years, it was parked in this shed in 1991. It appears to be a fairly solid and clean car and has all of the makings of a promising restoration project. Located in South Berwick, Maine, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on Facebook. With an asking price of $8,200, this is a classic that is worth a serious look.
The photos that the owner supplies aren’t the greatest, but they tend to paint a generally positive picture. Finished in Spanish Gold, the Mustang also features a Black vinyl top. The paint has developed a bit of a matte look to it, but visible rust doesn’t appear to be particularly severe. I think that there might be a small amount present in the lower rear quarter panel and the rocker on the driver’s side, but if there is, it doesn’t appear to be too severe. It is a bit harder to be sure on the passenger side, but it does look decidedly clean. The owner makes no mention of the state of the floors, and anything visible in the engine bay appears to be little more than some surface corrosion. The exterior trim and chrome is all present, although the plating is peeling off the front bumper in a couple of places. The glass all looks good, while the vehicle also wears all four of its original hubcaps.
Under the hood of the Mustang, we find a 302ci Windsor V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission, and power steering. This combination was not the most potent in the Mustang armory in 1969, but the car would have still been capable of acquitting itself fairly well when the right foot was buried. A 0-60 time of 8.6 seconds and a ¼ mile ET of 16.4 were reasonable for a car with a modest 210hp on tap. Even though the car has now been sitting for decades, it isn’t all bad news. The owner wanders out to the garage about once a year and kicks the 302 back into life to keep the fluids moving. Obviously, there is going to be some inspection and refurbishment work required before the car would be considered to be fit to return to active duty, but at least it does run.
The interior of the Mustang is a pleasant surprise because it does appear to be in good condition. There are a couple of seam separations on the driver’s seat, but what can be seen of the remaining gold vinyl trim looks pretty good. It is hard to see the state of the carpet, but it looks like there could potentially be a crack right in the center of the dash pad. The original radio is gone, but there is an aftermarket radio/cassette fitted in its place. From what can be seen, it looks like the interior might present quite well with little more than a good clean and some minor repair work by a competent upholsterer.
First Generation Mustang project cars have been achieving some pretty incredible prices in recent times, and people have been paying extraordinary money for some pretty rusty and incomplete vehicles. This one looks to be complete, it has a running V8 under the hood, and on the surface, it looks like it is a pretty solid car. If a personal inspection confirms all of these facts, then it could also represent a pretty reasonable buy at the asking price.
I’m a big fan of cars equipped similar to this. Sort of what I think of as everyday driver cars when new. I can relate to wanting the steak but only having money for a cheeseburger. Hope it finds a good home and doesn’t get chopped up for a pro touring project. Just sayin.
Looks pretty good from The crumby pictures!! Not a power house but a good driver that could be fixed up while you drive it around!! Good fuel mileage and easy to drive!!
Unlikely to have rust in the outer rocker panel. Rocker panels were galvanized and rarely rusted. Everything else did, but the rocker panels did not.
It would make a good project if it were reasonably priced, $8,200 for a non-running 69 hardtop with an unknown amount of rust is a bit over the top.
Steve R
Folks in Maine seem to adhere to the “Ride hard, and put away wet” philosophy when it comes to their vehicles. I never understood why. But you’ll want to bring a magnet and good flashlight when checking this one out. And when visiting Berwick, grab a meal at the excellent Fogarty’s restaurant.
“This combination was not the most potent in the Mustang armory in 1969…”
No kidding.
A pretty nice Mustang and I’m with KC John on liking the 302 with the 3-speed auto; a good motor and tranny for a small car. It has reasonably low miles and seems to be in good shape though overall looking a bit tired. The 302 has a ton of aftermarket go-fast goodies available so you can make it go as fast as you want. I like this one a lot and has the potential to be a really nice car. Upgrade the brakes to discs, freshen it up inside and out and you’ll have a great car. I’d get rid of those wheel covers as I never liked those and mount the Argent wheels with beauty rings and hubcaps; they’d look just right on this Mustang. All things considered, I think the price is pretty fair.
Having spent a lot of time in Northern Maine, I know first-hand how vehicles get pretty well used up there. Outside of the cities, it’s rough country year round, especially in the winter. A beautiful state for the sportsman with great hunting and fishing with great summer weather, a perfect place to vacation in. They don’t call it Vacationland for nothing.
Never heard of a 302ci Windsor. To my knowledge only the 351was officially a Windsor. Did I learn something new here today?
The 289, 302, and 351 are all considered Windsor’s due to where they were built. You hear 351 Windsor more often because there was also a 351 Cleveland.
Yes, you learned something new today. 221, 260, 289, 302, and 351 were all made out of the Windsor plant, hence the name Windsor on the engine.
Ahh, but there is also a 302 Cleveland..down in Australia..
Pretty clean nice mustang I had two of these 69 ponies. One had the automatic the other had a 3 speed on the floor and the manual had the rally pack interior. The automatic I put headers, intake and a Holly 4777 650 double pumper on it and both of the 302 engines ran very well with very little trouble I liked both cars very much and I am not really a blue oval guy! Great cars!!
Went and picked this up today, very clean body besides the underside on the firewall. Torque boxes will need to be replaced but everything else on the body is beautiful. Very excited to get this one up and running again.
Congratulations, Nikolas! Be sure and post some pictures as you get it running!