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R-Code 428 CJ: 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

This 1969 Mustang Mach 1 is not just a stunning looking survivor. Below the surface, it has the muscle to back those good looks. The drivetrain combination is about as good as it got in 1969 and should make this a fire-breathing monster. It is a classic that should command plenty of respect, and it is now looking for a new home. The Mach 1 is located in Mesa, Arizona, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is currently sitting at $60,100, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

The Mustang was delivered to its first owner in Encino, California. Its current location would suggest that it has spent a significant part of its life in areas with climates conducive to preserving classic steel. There is no visible rust in this Mach 1, and the owner makes no mention of any problems in the listing. The Raven Black paint presents nicely, although the seller admits that it does carry a few of the minor chips that you might expect to find on a vehicle of his age. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps are tight and consistent. The car comes fitted with tinted glass, and this appears to be in good condition. The trim and chrome present well, and I can’t spot any issues with the wheels. The appearance of the Mustang looks menacing, and this is a theme that continues when we begin to delve below the surface.

The Mustang promises a lot, and it delivers when we lift the hood. Hiding in the engine bay is the 428 Cobra Jet Ram-Air V8. This brute should produce an “official” 335hp. However, manufacturers were slightly coy about accurate power outputs in this era, and the consensus is that these engines pumped out closer to 380hp. This V8 is backed by a 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission that feeds the horses to a 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end. The original owner also chose to order the Mach 1 with power steering and power front disc brakes. Performance figures are all that you might expect, with the Mustang capable of blitzing the ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds. The owner doesn’t specifically say that the vehicle is a numbers-matching classic, but you get the impression from the listing that it probably is. One thing that he does reveal is that the 428 sounds as tough as you might expect. He also says that the Mach 1 runs and drives perfectly.

The “basic black” theme continues when we open the doors and take a look around inside the Mustang. The interior appears to be original and is upholstered in Black Clarion/Knit vinyl. The kick panels are looking discolored, but the rest of the interior presents well for a survivor. The outer edges of the seats have avoided developing the wear that can be common in these classics. The remaining trim and vinyl are in good order, as is the console and carpet. I can’t spot any problems with the dash, and the pad isn’t showing any evidence of cracks. The Mustang was ordered with air conditioning. However, some of the components for this are missing from the engine bay. The factory AM/FM stereo radio is present, and the only other nod to luxury is a remote driver’s mirror.

There’s no doubt that this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 would be an animal if you buried the right boot. That Cobra Jet V8 would virtually assure that. However, it could still be a civilized vehicle if driven appropriately. The values of these classics have been going in one direction for decades, and that is ever upward. Bidding hasn’t reached the reserve yet, but there is a chance that we will have some idea where that reserve is. I have found the Mustang advertised elsewhere, and the price there has been set at $109,000. That figure doesn’t surprise me because it is an extremely desirable car. If you are seriously contemplating parking it in your driveway, then joining the bidding war could be worth the effort. If you can score it for under $109,000, then you could potentially find yourself on a winner.

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob Majkowski

    Beautiful Mustang! However, if the owner doesn’t state it’s numbers matching, most likely it isn’t. That adds huge value to any classic that’s for sale.

    Like 2
  2. Avatar David Bailey

    Beauty. Back then, a 383 Road Runner could spank these all day long. Much lighter?..Chevelles, 396-350 HP up, would be worthy: They’re heavy too. The real LOW BUCK killers were the different NOVAs. This Mustang would have been higher up the food($$$$) chain. The ’67 (?) 427’s owned the streets, along with HEMI-Road Runners(Very rare back then. Mostly dragsters)…Just remembering!..PS ’69 Sc/rambler Ramblers could be HEMi’s as well.

    Like 7
  3. Avatar Woody

    The original “shaker” this is an awesome Cobra Jet!

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Ron Trainor

    Back in the day, a buddy who was running the circuit around town and was “Top Dog” came up against one of these one night. Amazingly he was beat by one of these. When coming off the line, that Cobra Jet lifted all 4 wheels off the asphalt. I’ve seen left front wheels come up before, but not all four!

    \

    Like 1
    • Avatar JoeMac

      I question your drink of choice back in the day…

      Like 19
      • Avatar Ron Trainor

        Hey JoeMac you may be right! lol When he popped the clutch (running slicks) it bit and the whole car raised up in the air where you could see light under the tires

        Like 1
    • Avatar ace10

      That musta been where I’d walk to school uphill both ways.

      Like 2
    • Avatar Troy s

      Sounds like that Cobra Jet racer had some weight distribution issues? Staggered rear shocks on manual trans Cobra jet Mustangs was supposed to help with either traction or massive wheel hop, I can’t remember, or caused it. All four tires at the same time? Yikes!

      Like 0
      • Avatar jokacz

        Staggered shocks were supposed to help with wheel hop, it didn’t work.

        Like 1
      • Avatar walt

        Us old timers used these things called [Traction bars]

        Like 1
  5. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    Looks like the A/C compressor, mounts and idler pulley are not on the car, but the crank pulley is still there. Also missing are the Freon hoses.

    A very rare car, especially with the combination of R-code 428 CJ and factory A/C.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Steve

    Absolutely a beautiful car, but once again, this is not a Barn Find. And I think the only way Ron’s buddy got all four wheels off the ground was if he hit a bump off the starting line. Or maybe he was off-roading? I’m pretty certain it’s physically impossible to raise all four wheels off the ground.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar walt

    I got 1 that is almost identical 2 this1. Difference #1 200 six ,#2 no shaker, I’ve converted everything, have everything in it 4 a 302-351 motor swap. Same color blk-on-blk, all racing options, 66 [Shelby close ratio 4spd] Borg Werner t10, posi 3.25 gears. I got it from original owner in No. Cal, [sounds like Grandpa died, Grandma getting rid of it] I got it before kids beat the crap out of it. Straight body-no rust, & I have never seen a fastback with a six motor [rare]. It runs so good, doesn’t burn or leak oil, runs in fast lane over Donner Pass towards [6800′]Reno @ 70mph, I’m thinking leave it in, quite the head turner. Folks can’t believe it’s 200 six

    Like 1
  8. Avatar JohnfromSC

    I never understand why folks will pay close to super cobra jet money for these plain CJ’s when the power difference to a 390 isnt comparatively that much. In contrasr, the SCJ is designed stronger and better all the way around, and the one to hold out for if you can’t justify the coin for a first year Boss 429.

    Like 0

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