Showroom Classic: 1969 Ford Mustang

It seems that this 1969 Mustang has led a sheltered and privileged life. It was ordered by a dealership and spent its early days as a showroom display car. When it was retired from showroom duties, it was snapped up by an owner who has managed to preserve it in remarkable condition. All good things must end, so the owner has decided to part with this spotless classic. Located in Keyser, West Virginia, you will find the Mustang listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has been pretty subdued to this point, with only four bids submitted at the time of writing. This has pushed the price along to $12,100, although this hasn’t reached the reserve.

Apart from the addition of a front spoiler, this Wimbledon White Mustang remains original and unmolested. Nobody has thought to add aftermarket wheels or other items, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the original dealership fitted the spoiler as part of the display. The owner says that the vehicle has been preserved rather than restored, suggesting that the paint should be original. It shines beautifully, with no significant flaws or issues. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence of any rust problems in the supplied photos. With the owner emphasizing the preserved status of the car and using the word “mint” in the description, that would suggest that there are no problems below decks. As always, I would recommend an in-person inspection to confirm this. The chrome and trim are in excellent condition, and the glass looks flawless. If it checks out well in person, this Mustang could be a real gem for its next owner.

Okay, I’ll correct myself now. The front spoiler isn’t the only aftermarket addition because someone has also fitted a different wheel. This is another one of those listings where the owner supplies sub-standard photos, but there’s a lot that can be deduced from them. The interior is spotless, with the Black vinyl trim showing no evidence of wear or damage. The same is true of the dash and pad, while the carpet hasn’t suffered from any fading or staining. When I look at the overall condition, I would be surprised if anyone has ever sat in the back seat. If the owner has never performed any restoration work, his efforts in preserving this classic are worthy of praise. You will struggle to find a better-presented interior, even in a freshly restored car.

We’ve reached that moment where I sit here and consider bashing my head on the desk. If I owned a car like this, I would be showing potential buyers every aspect of it in a bid to lure them in. That’s why the lack of any engine photos, in this case, is so frustrating. If the Mustang is numbers-matching, the engine bay would contain a T-Code 200ci six backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. With the six’s 115hp capable of propelling the classic through the ¼ mile in 19.4 seconds, this is no firebreathing monster. That is probably disappointing for some of our readers, but it does raise an interesting point to ponder. In decades past, buyers would not have hesitated to pull the six as fast as possible and slot something more potent under the hood. That still happens today, but there are a surprising number of owners who are inclined to preserve these six-cylinder examples. They serve as an integral part of the whole Mustang story, and they do deserve their place in the classic world. According to the listing, the Mustang has accumulated a mere 40,000 miles on its odometer under the stewardship of its current owner. He gives the impression that he purchased the vehicle directly from the dealership once its showroom days were over. That would make this a two-owner classic, which isn’t that common for a car of this age. The owner says that this Ford is ready to drive or show, suggesting that it is in sound mechanical condition.

If the story that the owner tells is accurate, this 1969 Mustang has led a sheltered existence. As previously stated, there will be readers chomping at the bit. They will be desperate to park this classic in their workshop and slot a V8 into the engine bay ASAP. I understand that sentiment, and I admit that I have felt that way in the past when I’ve seen cars like this. However, my attitude on this has changed slightly because we’ve seen these changes so often that it would be wonderful to see at least one pristine example continue to be preserved as this car has. Your attitude and beliefs could be very different from mine, and if they are, I respect that. It will be interesting to see whether preservation is the opinion of the majority or the minority. It will be more interesting to see if anyone loves this Mustang enough to join the bidding war so that they can park it in their garage.