Looking to boost sales, Ford introduced the Mach 1 on the Mustang in 1969. It was a performance and appearance model that captured new sales but was unable to prevent overall Mustang market share from declining further due to increased competition. The Mach 1 continued through 1978 on the downsized Mustang II, and the seller’s car is from that last model year before the “Foxbody” Mustangs arrived. Rough in appearance, we’re told this Ford runs and drives, and can be found in Golden, Colorado. It is available here on eBay for $4,500 OBO.
At its peak during 1969-73, the Mach 1 topped 25% of Mustang sales. By the time the Mustang II was unveiled in 1974, market demand for muscle cars had shifted, and saving money on gasoline had become a priority. The Mustang II revived interest in Ford’s “pony car,” perhaps because a loss of 800 pounds meant you didn’t need a big block V8 to make a statement. A 170 cubic inch V6 was standard in the 1974-78 Mach 1, with a 302 V8 being optional. In 1978, Mach 1 sales had retreated to below 8,000 units or only 4% of production.
The Mustang II era of the Mach 1 was only offered as a hatchback. The seller’s edition was finished in white and has a red interior, a popular Mach 1 combination. We’re told it’s a barn find, though we don’t get to see where it was pulled from. Most of the ample rust is of the surface variety, so perhaps restoring the shell won’t give the body shop fits. The interior isn’t bad, but the faded carpeting will have to go.
This Mustang has the slower V6 engine (no photos), which was only rated at a modest 104 hp but is aided by the use of a 4-speed manual transmission. Though we’re told the Ford runs, an odometer reading of 93,000 miles could imply that the horses are tired and could use a refresh. We get the impression the seller would like to keep and restore the Mach 1 himself/herself, but a new baby and business have other uses for the funds. Would you be willing to take it on?
White/red, this would have been a sharp Mach 1 in its day. It’s not in terrible shape, but needs plenty of work. Given Mustang II’s were by and large economy cars, few have survived, so good used parts are hard to find (see: the badly scratched rear interior plastic panels, crushed bumper cover). And given that aftermarket support is a small fraction of other Mustang generations, reproduction parts are hard to find. That makes a project like this not easy.
What would cause the pattern of hundreds of small surface rust spots?
That rust is a head scratcher. I’d hate to see this become a parts car. It just seems to have too good a bones to do that. A new carpet would dress up the interior for sure. The seats look good. If its just surface rust it could be maybe repainted inexpensively at home.
Perhaps this car was stored somewhere where it was subjected to a lot of bird droppings and the acid in that caused the rust spots. Just a thought.
At first glance Bob I thought it was sparks from a fire or grinder on the paint. I agree this must’ve been a sharp little ride when it left the lot. I really like the clean no spoiler look on this one, and nice wheels. 4sp of course, always great. Thanks Dixon.
Just realized, this Mustang looks like a ford/mercury Capri.
The Cologne V6 was actually a very reliable v6 from the Capri series. Although not a big v8 they are decent daily drivers. I had the ‘79 2.8 v6/SROD 4 speed overdrive trans.
Ditto. The four-speed overdrive was a dog, though. I was constantly looking for a gear that had gone AWOL, as it was either screaming in third at 4500 rpm around town or lugging just off of idle at 1500 rpm in fourth. Once you got it on the highway at 55 or 60 mph it was fine, but around town, at between 30 and 40 mph, it was never in the right gear!
P.S. Mine was the four-speed transmission with the third pedal, so my comments might not apply to your car.
in graduate school (WVa) a bud had one. When I saw it I thought hatchback & ‘disappointment’ ( “What did they do to the gud ol ‘stang?” ) but then he showed me the bent8 (302) suspension’n brake goodies (he wuz the builder). Lovin ‘small cars’ I wuz impressed. Now they’re all like this…
Not thrilled w/the cologne (I have the essex 231 bent6) so would go Lima efi/turbo and all the other speedy bits.
I normally disdain clones/tributes, but I think the only way I could love this generation of Mustang is in King Cobra garb, and with a modern engine.
A 302 is a bolt-in and new carpets would go a long way to freshen up the interior. If the rust isn’t too deep, new paint would bring it back nicely, but as others have pointed out, getting some of the interior and exterior plastic bits to finish it off will be a challenge. Do you accept the challenge?
The 302 was not available in ‘74. The V6 was a weak stand in, and experienced a lot of cylinder head issues. In order to install a 302 in this car, you will need a ‘75-‘78 V8 core support. The non V8 units are straight, the V8 part bows out to supply the extra room needed for the V8. Transmission and bellhousing and radiator will need to be swapped out as well. Not a simple engine-only bolt in swap, but very doable with a donor car.
I had a white ‘76 Mustang Stallion fastback with a 2.3L and a 4 speed. I loved it. I called it my Pinto cleverly disguised as a Mustang. 👍🏻
Get a turbo 2.3L from an SVO Mustang, and it might really fly!
The seller has posted 31 photos in the ebay ad, and he couldn’t post 1 of the engine compartment? I can imagine what that looks like. The trunk & engine compartment must be covered in rust.