In the Spring of 1970, Ford ran a promotion with its dealers in the Kansas City sales district to peddle 96 Grabber Orange Mach 1’s. There were called Twister Specials as the geographic area is sometimes called Tornado Alley. Finding one of these cars today is rare and we covered such a car here on Barn Finds just a few months ago. Yet another has surfaced in the same town as the first one, but it’s a 1969 model for which no one data seems to support. From Mentor, Ohio, this ’69 Mach 1 Twister Special (or a clone) is available here on craigslist for $35,000. Thanks for the tip, Gunter Kramer!
The Mustang was still a hot property at the end of the 1960s and to make it even hotter Ford introduced the Mach 1 fastback (or “SportsRoof”) in 1969. It would be so popular that one in five sold in 1970 would be Mach 1. It stuck around in the Ford portfolio through the Mustang II era ended in 1978. Its name was borrowed from a 1969 concept car called “Levacar Mach I” at the Ford Rotunda. This display used a cushion of air as propulsion on a circular dais. Besides some performance upgrades, the Mach 1 was also a visual package with a matte black hood treatment with pins, hood scoop (including optional Shaker scoop), competition suspension, chrome pop-open gas cap, and revised wheels with Goodyear Polyglas tires, etc.
Half of the 1970 Twister Specials had the 351 cubic inch V8 which is what is in the seller’s car. But there is no info online indicating that the Special was also available in 1969, so is the seller’s car a one-off, or has someone created a tribute to a car that was something of a tribute itself? Last year, a collector in the same location was selling off a collection that included a similar car (but from 1970), but that listing also made no reference to that car being a Twister Special either, though both wear the special logo correctly on the rear quarter panels.
What we told about this Mach 1 is that it has 61,000 miles (the other one had 80,000) and only needs a fuel pump and some carburetor work to run. This indicates it’s been sitting for a while, perhaps due to old gas. The body appears to be good and the Grabber Orange paint and stripes are correct (for 1970). With Mach 1’s going for more than twice the seller’s asking price, this one might be a good buy. But some background on the car would be helpful before plopping down 35 large.
I think you meant 1960 or 61 Leva car , I have a model of that and its dated 1961 . I also believe the Ford Rotunda was destroyed by a fire in 1962, taking the Leva car and several other concept cars with it
The car looks to be a twister clone as well as a Mach 1 clone.
If it’s the real deal, these are extremely rare, as only 96 were built. Only about half have been found.
As you mentioned, Russ, half were packed with 351 Clevelands, and the rest had 428 SCJs. Half autos, half manuals. Not too sure any 69s were built, only 1970 as far as I know…
If this dealer would’ve cranked out the after market goodies such as Yenko did , instead of painting or stickering a tornado on the car it might be more enticing .
In NOV 1, 2021 • this car was for sale @ $59,000.
Today April 28,2022 the car is for sale @ $35,000.??
https://barnfinds.com/twister-special-1970-ford-mustang-mach-1/
What do you think ? yes it’s the same car.
Not the same car, this is a1969 but the one that you found is a 1970. A quick look at the head lights and tail lights for the difference.
Sorry Shelby…..have to agree with Jack. The wheels are different & so are the hood scoops…..the one for $59K has a shaker hood scoop & the one for $35K has a fixed scoop. Definitely not the same car.
I was thinking this is a repeat ad. Thanks for the research.
Not the same car. This one has a automatic transmission.
It’s also a ‘69 trying to pass it off as a ‘70.
What’s the deal with this guy?
My guess is that this car is a clone or tribute. The seller makes no claim to it being either a Mach I or a Twister Special. If it is a true Mach I then someone has swapped out the interior as this car just has the standard 69 style interior. A 69 Mach I left the factory with special highback bucket seats. To really prove anything the seller either needs to provide the information on the door data plate or show a Marti report.
Not a mach 1 or a ‘70 Twister car. It looks like a standard ‘69 Sportsroof that someone made into a ‘69 tribute car. The Deluxe interior and clock was standard on mach1. 351w was ‘69, all 351s for TS cars were 351C cars.
I believe thats a 69 dont have the cutouts on front fender?
This is a hot mess of cobbled together bits of 69 and 70 pieces. Nothing to see here.
Get the Vin, call Marti Autoworks to run a Marti Report, that will tell you everything you need too know about this Stang.
Anything under $100k should tell you right away this is not the real deal.
Cleveland engines became available in 1970. The rear decklid is from a 1970 and all Mach 1’s from either year had high back seats, clock in Glove compartment. This appears to be a tribute to the 1970 Twister.
And no center console.
Several things wrong here folks…
1- It’s an M Code which means a Cleveland motor was in that vehicle when it was built, so either the seller can’t tell the difference between a Cleveland and a Windsor or (very doubtfully) a Windsor was installed which means the engine cradle and transmission woukd’ve had to have been swapped out with a small block.
2- It appears that it’s mechanic’s shop, a fuel pump on either engine block is as inch to replace. 2 clamps and 2 bolts and a gasket. Rebuilding a 69 carb is child’s play even for a novice. So why hasn’t this “mechanic” done this simple work. Maybe it has a cracked block? Maybe it’s overheating issues? Maybe it has running issues is my point.
3- This is by no means a Real Twister.
4- This “IS” a Fastback “NOT” a Mach1.
$20,000 yes but $35,000 for a non running Fastback with possibly non matching numbers and likely change of color? Way overpriced.
I owned Mustang Alley for 28 years and restored well over 100 pre ‘73 Pony cars. Don’t get fooled gentleman.
There were no Clevelands in 1969. M code was a 351 Windsor four barrel. But that is irrelevant because it’s not a 1970, and it’s not a Mach1.
The Twister is only in 1970, not 1969. Also, not a Mach1. The interior is a base Sportsroof.
8banger is correct. Definitely a clone. There were no Twisters in 1969 only 1970. They were out of KC and you could get a Mustang or a Torino. Those graphics are from 1970. The Twisters also came with deluxe interiors and this one has a base model interior. Could be a nice car to build to suit but as is not worth the asking.
I threw a trick answer in there to see how many knowledgeable Ford Mustang fans there were here 😂.
I think only Bruno Zayas caught it 🎊🍻👏👏 He’s on his game.
Although the Cleveland engine was available on special order Ford Galaxies built at the end of 1969, none ever made it into the 1969 Mustang.
I really feel there has to be more serious problems with this Twister wannabe than just a fuel pump and carb needing rebuild, because they are very easy parts to replace or rebuild.
I’d be willing to bet there’s either a bad cam lobe or cracked cam and maybe that’s why it only runs when gasoline is poured into the carb.
In any event, the price is ridiculous for a non Mach-1 fastback car, with nothing else going for it but a non running Windsor (at this point) anchor weight.
Good luck to whom ever inherits it 🤞🙏