Ford’s Mustang had a bang-up year in 1969, just about 300K were assembled at Dearborn. And of all of those, it seems like we’ve reviewed Daggone near every one of them here on BF. Before commencing this post, I did an open search for a 1969 Mach I and was amazed at the coverage we’ve done – and that was just so far for 2023! So, why, yet another? Well, this one has an interesting story so let’s investigate. This very blue Mach I is located in Tyler, Minnesota and is available, here on eBay for a current no-reserve bid of $25,100. Twenty-seven bids have been tendered as of this writing.
Finished in its original hue of Winter Blue, the seller states, “This has been on a rotisserie and all metal work done. It has original Ford Fenders with no patches, Original Rear Quarters but they have been patched on the bottoms, Original Doors that have been patched, an original Ford Hood that hasn’t been cut…“. We’re told that this was a pretty solid car before the restoration was started and the results of all that activity are pretty spectacular. The floors have been patched, where necessary, and the trunk pan has been replaced. The underside images present a sound image.
Now, it’s pretty obvious that something’s up under the hood as this baby’s riding pretty high. Well, it’s engineless – no four-speed manual transmission either. The accompanying Marti report verifies that this Mustang is, in fact, an R-code model which means that it originally harbored a 335 gross HP, 428 CI “Cobra-Jet” V8 engine, but alas, it’s now a youstabee. The seller suggests, “This is perfect for the guy that wants to do the mechanical work himself“.
Inside, we’re told that it’s all original except for the carpet and headliner. It’s a standard black vinyl upholstery affair and seems to be in a good state of repair but looks like it’s due for a thorough cleaning. The folded-down rear seat area and the door panels are in especially fine nick.
So, if an R-code Mustang is R-codeless what does that do to its value? Does it maintain an appropriate share of the value that it would possess if the original engine were still in place? Or, engineless, is this just another Mach I Mustang, admittedly, a fine-looking one? And with that thought, what does one do with it? Well, put an engine in it obviously (and no, don’t suggest an LS, we don’t need the firestorm of comments). One could try to find the appropriate 428 CI engine, or something similar (FE) but not necessarily a 428. I suppose a 5.0 Coyote could be considered, or… What’s your suggestion?
Nice looking car, lots of 💰 for a car with no engine or transmission.
In 1971 I almost bought a Mustang with 428 and 4 speed transmission for $600. The reason I didn’t was the engine needed rebuilding and I didn’t have the time and money to get it done. I told a friend about it and he bought it. Rebuilt it and flipped it in 2 months. I asked why did he put all money and work into it and then sell it. He said the guy who bought offered him so much he couldn’t refuse. Having no engine or transmission is a no go.
Beautiful car, my favorite year, but as Harvey said way too much for a non-matching numbers car. Don’t see any reason not to put a 428 in it if nothing else to get close to the original drive train.
I have a good 1971 429 available but don’t know if it would be do able
So where did the engine and transmission go?
Cummins swap, anyone?
I’ll show myself out, thanks.
At least you didn’t go the Mister Wizard route, and suggest an EV swap.
Best comment of the thread Rumpledoorskin 😂
With gumbo wide mudders on back and pencils on front..will follow you out…
Wasn’t there one exactly like this (other than this one had a drivetrain) on here a few weeks ago? The colors kind of stand out, although maybe it wasn’t a rare combo.
Drop in the 2.3 Ecoboost 🍃 😄
Drop in race 427 500+HP with 5 speed trac loc rear 3:73 and have a Grand time blowing away newer cars. I would be smiling when I started and shutting it down!! 🐻🇺🇸
This is a dilemma. A coyote won’t fit unless you cut the shock towers which would be a travesty on this car. A real 428CJ could run 20k? I like the 427 idea, just dress it like a 428CJ and only a trained eye would know.
428 couldn’t hold a light for a 427. And you will never buy a 427 for what can a 428 ! Sorry
Engine .. ? NP, just use a 390 block + .030 and a 428 crank for 416 ci. ,Close enough, easy, and WAY cheaper than the 428 block !
“The Leaning Tower of Power” is the only way to go with this Pony… 😂
I’d say if you wanted a modern, reliable powertrain to install the 7.3L Godzilla motor (430hp 475tq) or the hot rod variant, the 7.3L Megazilla (615hp 630tq). They are dimensionally about the same size as a 351 so they would fit right in without cutting the shock towers.
I’d do the obvious choice… source a date-coded 428 CJ block, and go from there. It’s worth following the straight and narrow on this one. Of course, I’d need to see it in person, I’d never trust that the body and finish will be done to your satisfaction, especially at the dear price someone is going to pay here.
I’m with T King. Build a 428- or close, and go. I believe Ford says .060 overbore is ok. I’m too lazy to do the math. As far as PL’s statement of following the straight and narrow, this car will never find it’s way back to that path. ‘66-‘67 Merc 410 should have the same crank as a 428, so that’s another one to watch for. Quite a job to fill that gaping hole. The “engine” is the easy part. Correct oil pan, exhaust manifolds, radiator…
A built up 390 4v engine would be the closest to the 428.you can make about the same hp and torque,and use a 428 cobra jet cam,bore it out 0.060 over,long tube headers and a 750cfm double pumper carb.im speaking from experience.as i’ve mentioned in other posts referencing the 72′ f250 i owned,building my 390 just like this.
Now I know one of the differences between a Standard and Deluxe Marti Report. The standard one pictured here doesn’t have the “1 of XXX cars built this way” baloney.
Looks like a really nice, but the “R code” should have a ram air hood. The one on this looks it’s from regular Mustang.
Exactly. The right call is to get the correct R block but then you’ll have to get the right hood and shaker set up to boot and paint the hood and hope it matches.
The water is deep and the price is high…
you figure it takes ever bit of $50,000. or more to restore a car now days so if you can pick this up for a decent price you’d be ahead of the game throw in drive train and it wouldn’t take much to finish it off to make a decent driver out of it, it sounds like the seller is some what honest just my thoughts!
How about a bored and stroked 351 Windsor taken out to 427 good set of heads etc. Probably good for close to 500H.P. I seem to recall having seen an advertisement somewhere years ago.
To retain value have to find a date correct 428. Price seems a bit high without engine or trans.
How much for the signs???????
Hmmm now that’s a question. Me I’m not fond of garage queen cars. I would really WANT to be driving it. But putting a 7.3 is overkill, ie 460. And since going back to original might be a headache to source. 429 from a tbird,so many options. 390 is a good route, I would make it a 5 speed. But one option stands out for me, 5.4 supercharged out of a newer gt500 and a 6 speed I do believe if I’m going modern. No to a 460( which I have actually seen done) or a 351m400, decking issues with the 400, hmm well since I can’t afford never hurts to dream about my dream car.
This will be pricey because it was born a 428 R code, but if the resto was as good as seller describes, that’s worth something no matter what. The dilemma to me is that to source an original 428, even if you start with one from a Galaxie station wagon, still would cost a bit to get done not to mention a correct big block toploader.
If it was me (it’s not)I’d do a mild to wild Windsor based engine with a 5 sp. It would be all Ford, not ruin what the car is, and still all there if you or next owner wanted to make it a 428 FE car again.
Well, that or a Godzilla as long as I’m dreaming here…
Not for me but would be good to see pictures before rust work the seller does state where the patches were Looking in the trunk shows some repairs and covered over. It is a pretty pony with nice color
Little high in the front end, but that first photo is worth a 1000 words, and then the memorabilia on the garage.
If you look real close at all pics, seems a bit rough, would have to get a personal look for sure, wouldn’t buy sight unseen,.. but,yes…..it would be sweet to build and go hammer the crap outa one of these just to see the purist cringe, my favorite pass time.
omg…sold @ $62,100.00 !!!!!!!
That’s a ridiculous price for a car without any engine. A fool and his money soon part ways. IMO
So I was the “fool’ that purchased this car. Primary reason is that I had a 406 HP motor professionally built with other CJ parts with a tremec ready to drop in left from another build. But was not part of the story is the seller was gracious enough to allow me to purchase a period correct CJ full drive train incl top loader, radiator, etc. for a fraction of cost. So the RLess with some have a period correct R. Easy to source a shaker. Winter Blue a one year only color. This Mach One is a standout.