The popular Ford Mustang received its second styling refresh in 1969, more distinctive than the one in 1967. And the car would have dual headlights as a one-year feature. The fastback became the most popular body style, now referred to as a “SportsRoof”, accounting for more than 45% of sales. This ’69 SportsRoof has been idle for 40 years, sidelined due to the wiring harness catching fire. Located in Belmar, New Jersey, this non-matching numbers “pony” is available here on eBay, where the opening bid of $16,500 awaits a buyer (plus there’s a reserve to be met).
No less than five variants of the fastback/SportsRoof were offered in 1969. They included the regular fastback with a standard interior, the same with deluxe furnishings, the Mach 1, a Boss 302 (for SCCA competition), and the Boss 429. The most popular was the Mach 1, with the standard fastback coming in next (that’s what the seller’s car appears to be). Ford built 300,000 Mustangs in 1969 and – despite the styling updates – that was a small decline from 1968.
As the story goes, the seller is the fourth owner of this Mustang, having acquired it in 1984. The original engine was replaced by a 351 cubic inch “Cleveland” V8, which was freshly rebuilt and blueprinted by the seller. However, when hooking it up two years into ownership, something must have shorted out and caused the wiring harness to burn up. The project was abandoned at that point, and the Ford sat for the next four decades. It has an FMX transmission and a 9-inch rear end.
The original color of this Mustang was Acapulco Blue, but there is rust in the “usual” places such as the floorboards. And the sound deadening materials under the hood need to be replaced, perhaps damaged by the fire. The interior has held up a bit better and has the optional fold-down rear seat. Some parts will come with the sale, including original pieces replaced by others, such as the steering wheel.
Russ, the data you provided shows that the coupes, in all their flavors, were 50% of production in 1969. So it was the largest selling body style.
I think that engine photo will stop all bids.
Was a teenagers cheap hot rod in 1984.Mine was a rusty 67 Plymouth buracuda fastback.
Mine was a rusty 67 Firebird with a 326. Someone put a 400 turbo transmission in and ran the dipstick tube through the floorboard before I got it. It got caught in a flood which reached the door handles.
Russ, you said 5 variants of fastbacks, you are not including the GT in standard or deluxe interior.
The GT must have been an option as the source data does not include it. Click on the link in the write-up.
Howie, got that right!!! Boom Boom out go the lights! (Pat Travers Live) Wiring damn hard enough, what else got fried? My girlfriend’s father saved us after a late movie, but crossed the jumper cables and burned some of the wiring in my 66 Nova. Not this bad!
There are guys out there who can buy a new wiring harness and install it in an afternoon, but I’m not one of them.
needs more than a wiring harness more like 50k + worth of work.
$16,500 and who know where the reserve is? No mention if motor turns freely. I would question the claim of a true balanced and blueprinted motor without documentation. Although the owner did make other upgrades that shows they were building a legitimate muscle car. IMO there is value here depending on the reserve if you have the appropriate skills.
I hope someone rescues this car as a driver before it ends up a Mach 1/ Boss clone or restomod with ridiculous rims. I had a couple Acapulco Blue cars…color is gorgeous.
If I’m to believe the VIN tag on the door, this came off the line as a standard sports roof. 63C would be for the Mach1 variant, as the photos infer. Hope the bidding is based on what’s left of a parts car.
What bidding? Still no bids. I have seen worse. THAT MONSTER IGNITION COIL MUST HAVE ARCHED ACROSS TO THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT THE AIR CLEANER TO START THE FIRE! (lol) The only way to repair this completely is to install a complete new harness. Otherwise there will always be concerns as to whether it was repaired correctly. At least it’s not a flood car!
Wayne:
You are probably very close to the cause. I put one of those ACCEL Super Coils on a 460 in a Ranchero I had. While listening to the radio at a drive in nearby, that coil got hot and burned up the wires in its’ proximity. Got real embarrassed, had to have it rollbacked home, and I NEVER bought another one.(and no, it did not require an external ballast resistor).
I know Mustangs are not cheap, but this one is overpriced at the amount of work it’s going to require. The “usual rust” means..a lot of panel replacement and harness fire means a harness replacement. If you could do ALL the work yourself, it is still going to be expensive and probably no ROI. Did I mention the engine has sat for 40 years? Don’t mean to be a Debbie downer here, but be realistic.
looks like the wiring harness would be the least of concerns.
This car is Werth about $3000 as is . Not $16500 How ever buys it needs to have deep pockets .
Ended with no bids, relisted at $14,500.