More often than not, it seems that many muscle car projects nowadays are purchased and restored rather quickly, with the new owner eager to either enjoy the fruits of their labor or make a fast buck. However, that’s not always the case, as evidenced by this 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 here on eBay. The seller mentions that his father bought this one back in 1981, in exactly the same condition as we’re seeing it now, and never got around to restoring it. Unfortunately, he’s now passed away, and the time has come to get this once mighty pony car into the hands of someone who will. This one’s located in Rockford, Illinois, and can be yours right now for $15,000, or there’s also the option to submit a best offer.
This Mach 1 started out as a beast, as it was originally equipped with an R-Code 428 Cobra Jet, which was factory rated at 335 horsepower. Sadly, the car is now making zero, as the engine has been gone for more than four decades. The C6 automatic is no longer present either, nor is the driveshaft, with the only potentially good mechanical news presently being the rear end. Thankfully, the differential is still there, which the owner says is an 8-inch unit with 3.00 gears inside. We also get to view several shots of the undercarriage, which seems to offer both good and bad news. Some of the parts below appear to remain reasonably sturdy, and others not so much, including the floors.
The exterior is also sort of a mixed bag, with a few of the panels likely salvageable. It’s very possible that the doors and fenders can be saved, and the same may be true for the hood and trunk. The quarters are starting to show some cracks, so they’ve probably already been worked on with filler, and I agree with the seller that these probably need to be replaced entirely. There’s a dent on the roof, as something fell on it a long time ago, but an experienced bodyman should be able to straighten this area out.
Although it’ll need attention as well, the interior appears mostly complete, with the exception being the upper part of the rear seat. It’s a bit hard to speculate which items inside will clean up nicely enough to keep, but the seats will for sure need new upholstery, and the door and rear panels will almost certainly require fresh components. A lot of work will be in the future before this pony’s ready to perform again, but with such a fine pedigree, this 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 no doubt needs to be saved. Are you finding this once muscular Mustang promising project material?
It may have a rear end in it, but it’s not the original. R-codes had 9″ rears with 3.91 or 4.30 ratio.
Grabber Blue with a white interior is a great combination, minus the aftermarket vinyl roof.
The 3.91 and 4.30 gears came with Super Cobra Jet (SCJ), the R indicates Ram Air, nothing more. SCJ’s could have been ordered without Ram Air, which I believe had a Q designation in the VIN. The 3.00 could very well be stock, a friend had that in his, which was ordered with AC. The seller should have spent the money on a Marti Report, the failure to do so will cost him.
Steve R
I don’t think any big block got an 8″
You are right, I missed in the ad that it now has an 8”, but the main point of my reply was that R-code cars didn’t come standard with 3.91 or 4.30 gears.
Steve R
I had a ’70 Mach 1 that had a factory vinyl roof. As was most often the case on cars of this time period when the quarter-to-roof welds were not as perfect as they needed to be they were “vinyled”. A clever way for the manufacturers to keep the line moving. When my black vinyl finally perished under the rays of SoCal sunshine, I removed it and had to fix the factory mishap before respraying.
Fifteen grand for a shell? No thanks.
Fifteen grand for a shell? No thanks. Maybe if you knock a zero off.
It’s not a 428. There’s no engine in it!
It won’t be cheap by any means, since it needs a lot. The interior has clearly been exposed to the elements for quite a while. The body/frame/floor rot is more or less expected but not encouraging. This will not be for a buyer with finite patience or wallet.
If the title is in the father’s name still, it may be a bit of a challenge to get it transferred, but that will depend on Illinois and the state the vehicle ultimately ends up. Best to check it all out beforehand, because taking an open signed title won’t make it.
O brother. Y bother.
It’s listed as $15k obo.
Wonder if a motivated guy (not me) could get this car for $12K, clean it up inside and out, install a 400hp 351 windsor, tremec TKX 5 speed and go have some fun.
And if a 428 CJ engine ever shows up in your garage . . . . . .
Judging by the door gaps and the frame rot, putting 400 HP in that without addressing structural issues could be an interesting turn of events, and ultimately not worth the money spent when it all goes wrong.
Just looked at the ebay driver door to qtr panel & frt fender gaps – OUCH!
I didn’t notice that earlier.
Yeah and have 30K invested at least
With the seller asking $15k for a shell that needs everything and than some getting a Marti report should be included to start with. Without that to verify that it had a 428CJ when new it is just a 1970 shell that needs everything for way to much money and to be honest over priced even with a Marti report
Is there anything not damaged or missing parts? Maybe they meant $1,500.
15k.! Not in this market.
5k? I wouldn’t pay 500 bucks for that.
it appears to have the correct notched shock towers for a 428
$100,000 dollars and or ten years of someone’s life later. Back In Grabber blue with brushed dog dishes and trim rings (or argent fake mag wheel covers) on wide ovals this would be an absolute looker. Crucify me, but the vinyl top really take it to the next level. The louvers are a bonus. I fell for a fastback Mustang with a vinyl top when I saw the red one in the movie Car Wash. Yeah, yeah, I know they’re a frivolous, extra that disintegrates and is a total rust trap.
To expensive for a simple shell ! That’s need lots of structural work! 15.000 ! Whoo
Well, color me surprised!
I was today years old when I saw my very first Mustang fastback with a vinyl roof. Seriously, I’ve never seen that before.
Someone said there was one in the movie “Car Wash” but I must have missed it or overlooked it cause I don’t remember seeing it in the movie.
Sorry, not sorry, but thats ugly as sin. Vinyl roofs belong on the hardtop, not a sporty fastback.
Wow, you guys are critical. Some people will pay $15k just for that title. I’ve restored enough Mustangs to know that 3 years and about $80k will get this car ready for paint. That’s with my labor. You have to be able to visualize the end result in order to even start. And the end result would be very nice. So if you have the cash and the time offer the guy $5k. That’s all it’s worth at this stage. (caveat – look at the underbody first! If it has an 8-inch drop that bid a bit)
show the Marti report to prove what everybody is looking at
I find it very hard to believe that this car was in this exact condition in 1981 when the car was 11 years old.
Maybe if it sat outside uncovered for the remaining 44 years.
Hmm R code with no R
Sold on 10/30/2025.
Steve R