This 1970 Mustang Grande has spent an extended period sitting in the great outdoors. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that there are some rust issues that will need to be addressed. However, compared to some that we’ve seen here on Barn Finds, this has some potential. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. This Mustang is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and comes with a clear title. Bidding has reached $1,200 at the time of writing, although there is also a BIN option of $1,995.
The owner of the Mustang is quite candid about the rust issues. The vehicle originally had a vinyl top, and the time spent exposed to the elements has lead to moisture accumulating, which has left the metal of the top rusted through in places. The owner feels that the top will need to be replaced. There is some rust in the floors, but the seller states that this is minimal, and should be easily repaired.
The interior is complete, and quite a lot of it could be salvaged with a good clean. The dash pad and rear seat look good, and the front seats really only need covers, as the padding looks to be intact. Unfortunately, someone has fitted aftermarket speakers into the door trims, so this is something that will need to be addressed if you want to return the interior to its original state.
The 302ci V8 is still in place, and it is backed by an automatic transmission. Regardless of what path the new owner follows, that engine will have to come out for a thorough inspection, and possibly a rebuild. The seller states that it doesn’t have any oil pressure. Hopefully, it wasn’t run for too long in that state, but you can be pretty sure that there will be some work there.
The Grande was not the most popular car in the Mustang range, but it was still a nice car. This one looks rough, but it is possible that there might be just enough there to justify a restoration. Certainly, the price seems to be quite reasonable, even if the new owner was only going to use it as a parts car. Would you take this one on?
Worth very little when done. Not even close to being a viable restoration candidate. Parts cart for a sportsroof at best.
I agree.
I disagree. It think for the $2k asking price, something cool could be made from this. I don’t care much for the ’70 styling (I prefer the ’69 grille/headlight combo), and granted, it’s not a fastback, but there’s something very salvageable here. It’s an excellent candidate for a restomod, or even a daily-driven restoration. Just because a Mustang isn’t a Shelby, Mach 1, or Boss isn’t reason to dismiss its potential.
It’s not the fact that its not a Shelby or a Boss. It’s that the 70 coupe is just ugly. The quarters, roof and rear body panel just look poorly designed like an afterthought. No matter how nice you paint them, what wheels you put on them or how big the engine is, when you walk past the doors it all goes down hill from there. The market rejects these too for the same reason. It costs just as much to restore this ugly coupe as it does a sportsroof, but the sportsroof will always bring twice as much or more finished. Not all of them should be saved.
“The market” is like a school of fish. When one turns, they all do. And if you look at a car like “the market”, then you’re not looking with your own eyes. Maybe this isn’t your car, aesthetically. That’s fine, pass it by. But personally, I’d rather spend ten grand less on a coupe than a comparable fastback, because restoration costs are the same no matter what you start with. And I can create just as fun a coupe as I can a sportsroof, market be damned. Plus, the monetary value of not being one of the herd is difficult to valuate, and often underestimated.
Well if you want to drive an ugly car because everyone else is driving something better looking, I guess you can avoid running with the “herd”. If you want to spend two or three times more than a car is worth restoring it, I guess you can do that too. I’m glad every time I see someone else take on a project I am not willing to do.
I do like the luxo ’69 – ’70 Grandes – however the Grande interior included a houndstooth cloth seat inserts, wood grain appliqués around the instrument panel and on the door panels – ( just like the Mach 1), Grande specific rocker trim and a “Grande” emblem on the sail panel….non of which I see here…..Its a Mustang alright…just not a Grande.
As LC indicated, that’s not a Grande. The fourth digit of the VIN would be a “4” if it was and, as indicated, it would have a variety of unique features. It is, however, a basic Hardtop with a vinyl roof.
better off attempting to convert this coupe to a fastback, or convertible. don’t laugh- these coupes are worthless and you may as well give it a try
You say that as if everyone were looking for a car to flip. Personally, convertibles are as worthless to me as a receding hairline. There are plenty of classics that can be enjoyed (or made awesome) without big-buck badges. I thought this was a car enthusiast forum, not an investment site.
I’m not everyone Jeff, and putting that kind of creative work into a car like this would seem like enjoyment to me, and likely not an endeavor that a flipper would embark on. The next owner could dump a lot of money into that coupe and it would still be a coupe OR…
Or…? I don’t get your point. Either you take the pure business approach and view this base coupe as “worthless” as you initially stated, or you take the creative approach and see it as an opportunity to make something cool. Who cares if it’s a coupe? It could be a very interesting one, and a fun drive at that. Again, not everyone is interested in making money on a barn find. This might be an opportunity to buy a cheap Mustang and make something great of it.
People don’t restore 4 door Ramblers or Chevy Chevettes either. I don’t care who you are, it does not feel good to lose your ass on any car. It DOES take some of the fun of owning it when you know that every penny you spend on it you will never see again.
Then I say, Karguy James, that you are more a salesman than a car guy. It’s not a bad role, but it is focused more on the dollar than the craft. I’ve never “lost my ass” on any car restoration, because I’ve always appreciated what I created. It’s more about the art and the process to me, not the dollar. And I would sooner restore an obscure 4-door Rambler than a been-there-done-that-for-a-dollar Camaro any day. To each his own.
Jeff, in addition to the word worthless, I also used the word “creative”, just like you did.
seats ,steering wheel , dash all wrong to be a Grande , just a coupe with vinyl top and lots of rust
When it comes to Mustang coupes I lose interest after ’68, I don’t know what it is about the design that bugs me, or maybe it’s just because the ’69-’70 fastbacks look so good, maybe the best looking pony cars ever built.
I like these, but it’s highly likely I’m biased because a 1970 Grande was my first car (when it was under 20 year old, no less…) and I own another one now.
From a practical perspective, a Mustang Hardtop (they’re not officially called coupes), can make a lot of sense. If one wants V8 torque and sound with classic looks, feel, etc., these can provide that experience for a lower cost of entry than a Sportsroof or convertible and, while it’s not likely to be a good short-term investment, it’s not going to lose value, either.
That being said, when one needs this much work, it’s hard to justify. The low cost of entry for a Hardtop means one can find a better starting point in terms of both condition and equipment. That was my approach.
Still, perhaps someone willing to do essentially all of the work at home (or with a buddy who owns a shop?) could make something of this one without too huge of an investment. Or, just maybe, someone whose first car was similar to this will come along and see enough sentimental value in it to justify paying someone to restore it. To each his or her own!
Side note: It would have been better to sell this in the summer in order that someone could work in a canoe trip on the Illinois river whilst picking it up. Talaquah is in a beautiful area!
pure craft, low purchase price, and ‘ability to hold onto’ can all enhance one’s positive choice in acquiring this specific rig.
Never underestimate (esp now that it;s an internat/national market) which model U choose to wrk on. Ppl have a special place in their heart (pocket book) for every make/model/yr. Pick one U R able to spend a long time with (research it, it’s market, ROI, work-a-rounds, doing the wrk, prts sourcing, etc). Don’t B a ‘flipper’. That’s a squeaky TV dolphin frm the 70s.
69 Grande was my first car. Bought it used in 73 with 21000 miles. It was a beautiful car in black jade.