The current owner’s honest description of this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 labels it a project. Indeed, there’s a ton of work to be done to this ride. The good news is that the next owner can go for a driver-quality resto, or, if the skill or the funds are at hand, perform or commission a full-blown, Concours-style restoration. The car is for sale here on eBay with the bidding currently over $10K and the reserve not met. Originally sold in the Boston area, it now lives in Spring, Texas.

The Mach 1 was an appearance and mechanical upgrade offered in 1969 and 1970 on the Mustang SportsRoof, as the fastback body style was now called. It returned on the larger 1971-73 Mustang. In more recent days, a Mach 1 package has been available on 2003-04 Mustangs and on 2021 models. About 41,000 Mach 1s were sold in 1970, down from 72,500 in its first year. Buyers of an early Mach 1 got a choice of V8 engines up to 428 cubic inches. For 1970, enhancements to the exterior included a paint stripe on the hood with its non-functional (except when optioned otherwise) scoop, tape stripes including an engine displacement call-out, aluminum rocker moldings with “Mach 1” prominently displayed at the base of the front fenders, and a black honeycomb panel for the rear. One other upgrade for 1970 included the installation of a rear stabilizer bar. Twist-type hood latches also pointed to the car’s race-inspired spirit.

Decoding what this particular car was born as is done for the prospective buyer in the form of a Deluxe Marti Report, which shows that it is indeed a Mach 1, originally rendered in yellow, and with a super-desirable four-speed backing up a 351-4V engine/carb setup. For 1970, the 351 was the Cleveland version, rather than the earlier, same-displacement 351 Windsor. The base Cleveland was a 250-hp 2V, while this car came with a 300-hp 4-barrel. It also has the Convenience Group, power steering and brakes, and a tach as notable options.

Looking at the condition, there’s a shiny new gas tank shown along with some new interior parts and pieces. That’s maybe a thousand bucks saved. What’s scary is that the unibody frame rails appear to be entirely eaten away on the righthand side of the trunk, with visible gaps caused by rust. This is a serious problem on any model of Mustang, and it indicates that the restoration will take skilled welding to complete. The seller is up front about this need. Given that rust damage, it’s surprising how clean the car is otherwise. There’s some rot in the rear lower quarters according to the description, though it’s not visible in the photos, but the floors, which are exposed, look quite solid. Can you see yourself piloting one of the iconic models of the height of the horsepower wars? This could be the project for you.