With no fewer than nine engine options in 1969, Ford’s Mustang aimed to please, and only the S-code Boss 429 ranked above this car’s original R-code 428 (7.0L) “Super Cobra Jet” V8. While this 1969 Ford Mustang in Deming, New Mexico does not come with its original block, it does come with what appears to be original cylinder heads, intake manifold, and other parts bolted onto a replacement block. Thanks to reader Steve H. for spotting this potent pony car. The listing here on craigslist.org asks a healthy $28,000 for the car and other parts including a close-to-complete motor sans original block.
Somewhere on the planet a human or two might know the exciting and hopefully exaggerated tale of how this Mach I’s original block bit the dust in a long-brewing grudge match. Surely the owner dispatched an ornery local rival, impressed the girl, and pocketed at least a Franklin. Expect a triumphant finish like “I lost my motor, but a year later she said ‘I do.’ ” But I digress! Usually we have no story to tell and no motor to behold, or the motor came from a 1975 LTD and makes 175 HP. This motor *might* have most of the 428 SCJ goodies bolted to a later replacement block. With some research and parts-chasing it could look right at home in a stock restoration.
The seller claims this Mustang retains its original body panels. What we can see (including some under-car shots) looks fairly solid.
An included Marti report describes some handy options. The C6 automatic suggests the original buyer either suffered a war injury or valued straight-line consistency. The Ram Air “shaker” hood and air cleaner come with the sale. The nine-position Tilt-Away steering wheel assures a comfortable view of the instruments.
Shock tower braces accompanied high-powered Mustangs of this era. If you’re in the market for “an old Mustang,” this SCJ Mustang is not for you, but it’s certainly worth a look if you want one of the baddest Mustangs of the era, and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty or paying someone else to do the work. Will you fork over $28,000 and put this black beauty back on the road?
If you are patient and careful, you can buy a really correct matching #s SCJ for $70K, and I’ve personally looked at some nm# cars in superb condition for $60K. Missing SCJ parts aren’t cheap. So, it’s hard to imagine getting there on this one at the asking price.
Also what’s under the primer could be quite worrisome. Would have been better to see the bare bones and then have confidence in the integrty of the body restoration.
With a 3:50 rear axle ratio this car is not a 428 SCJ.
I agree with JohnfromSC. I too am concerned about what may be under that primer. Now, if this was numbers-matching, that would help some to make the case for $28K, but the prospect (as Todd already noted) that the engine block could be from a ‘70’s vintage LTD does nothing to inspire me. In general, this vehicle looks rough—for example, I am not sure what is going on along where the Fastback roofline meets the top of the rear Driver’s side fender.
I know that these older Mustangs have been garnering some ever-increasing sell prices, but this one just isn’t doing it for me
This one actually looks worthy of a total over restoration. Tilt away wheel and automatic trans make this a personal car instead of a race car. Black/black, I bet this was beautiful when new.
C Carl, The color Black Jade is actually a dark green.
The little tag reading 419S is a Cobra Jet
The 1U A stamp on the crank is a Super Cobra Jet
The rods are SCJ
I wish I could see the mains. The mystery motor on the floor may be worth more than the car. I would offer $15k and negotiate from there.
I see daylight through the passenger floor ……
Oh boy, I’ve always had a soft spot for ’69 Mach 1’s. There was one a few hours from where I live, which I consistently asked the owner to sell to me for 6 years straight. It was a 428 SCJ as well, 4 speed, orange with a tan interior, the sport louvres, shaker hood, and hood pins. That was a sexy car, unfortunately it disappeared when the man died.
I thought S code was a 390 and Z code was Boss 429
That would be correct. S code is 390 and Z code is Boss 429.
Okay, you put six figures into this, do you really think you can sell it? How many of the 1% really want a car like this?
No original engine makes this just a potential nice fast back
Well , this makes the blue 911 for sale at 35,000 and reserve not close seem like a steal .
If JohnfromSC is correct that you can buy a matching numbers 428 SCJ Mustang for $60k-$70k, it wouldn’t make sense to pay almost $30k for this one. You couldn’t restore this Mustang for $30k so if you really want one, buy one done. The restoration here won’t be cheap, even if you do a lot of the work yourself.
This car needs a lot of work. The price is about 20k high.
CJ car w/ a few SCJ parts. 3.50:1 open axle on the Marti report confirms it (as stated above). As such this thing is more than fully priced.
Back about 1970-71 I was young and in the Navy, a few months out of “boot camp” and looking for a car. I told my father I wanted a Mustang (my older sister had a 67 coupe) and that I was somewhat flexible on the engine/transmission combo. When I went home over Thanksgiving my father was very excited, he found a Mustang at the dealership in a very small town where he had been buying his cars for over a decade.
When we got to the dealership it was after dark on a cold November night. As I got out of the car my father pointed out the car among a lot full of Fords and Mercurys….it was a red Mach I, and on the hood scoop I could make out the words Cobra Jet 428.
My father didn’t really know cars and thought we were looking at a near new, red Mustang, with a fastback.
I had to explain what a Mach I was, and what the words on the hood scoop meant…to a guy who sold insurance. I had to pass on the car when we realized that I could barely afford the car and that insurance was going to be outrageous for an under 20 year old driver.
I concur, spend the money and buy one that’s done already.