In the late 1960s, Ford practically owned the “pony car” market. That is, until a flood of competition arrived in 1967, including from within (the Mercury Cougar). So, Ford ramped up the performance side of the Mustang with all-new styling (but on the original platform). The Mach 1 was one of the new muscle/appearance models introduced, and it quickly accounted for nearly one quarter of all Mustang sales (in ’69). The seller has a first-year Mach 1 that’s been largely left to Mother Nature without an embedded engine or transmission. Our readers will have to decide if it’s too far gone, but it’s available here on eBay for $17,500 (located in Seminole, Oklahoma).
Mach 1’s were only available in the SportsRoof body style (aka fastback). A 351 cubic inch “Windsor” V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor was standard in 1969. And that’s how the seller’s car decodes in terms of original drivetrain. From there, you could opt for any of the fire-breathing engines Ford had in its arsenal at the time. It was the appearance department, Mach 1’s came with a matte black hood, hood scoop, souped up suspension, snappier wheels and tires, and optional rear window louvers (called SportSlats). With the sharp rake of the rear window, it had to be almost impossible to see out of with those things.
This red Mach 1 resides under what’s left of a barn (at least that’s what it looks like it was). But there are no sides to it, and it seems like an Oklahoma twister could easily finish it off. The Ford had an automatic transmission, which was sitting off by itself in the dirt. The car is surprisingly said to be mostly complete, sans the rear window glass. The front clip has not been secured in place, so some adjustments may be needed to load it onto a trailer. The 351 V8 has long since taken flight, but a spare 351 is available if the buyer wants it.
Rust is an issue, especially with the floorboards, which are now of the Fred Flintstone variety. The interior may be largely intact, but it will need a lot of work, starting with the droopy headliner. This looks like a major project that will take a sizeable bank balance to make right. Is this ‘Stang too far gon,e and would you be better off starting with a stronger candidate?
Looking at the Marti Report, I have to think this was a unique looking Mach 1 in on the day it sold new in Aztec Aqua with white buckets. A/C is a bonus…or, was.
Is $7,000 a more realistic price for this project 351 2bbl Mach 1?
Probably, but this is one of those cars where there are enough people interest in this make and model that realistic is secondary, largely because those people have routinely shown they are more than willing to open their wallets. The price is likely to drop considerably, but I’d be surprised if if it didn’t pull 5 figures when a buyer pulls the trigger.
Steve R
I was very lucky to have a 69 Mach 1 for my first car. The price for this pile is crazy!! And that is being polite.
The front seats are not the correct original 1969 Mach I seats. The correct seats are unique to the 1969 Mach I and the 1969 Cougar Eliminator. The seats that are currently in the car are from a 1970 Cougar XR-7.