Even back in 1969, cars in the US tended to be produced with automatic transmissions, which makes this four-speed equipped, air-conditioned 1969 Mustang SportsRoof (Ford’s term for a fastback roofline) just a little bit more special. It’s listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $17,500 and is located in Sevierville, Tennessee.
I’m guessing the Boss 302-ish front and rear spoilers were added later in this car’s life. I like the look myself, but a restorer would want to delete them. The car appears pretty straight and hopefully hasn’t been hit, but as Mustang fans know, underbody rust can be a bear to fix with these cars and there are no views of the underside in the listing.
On the other hand, there is enough paint crazing and a general quirkyness to the front appearance that it wouldn’t surprise me to learn of prior contact. Is the spoiler attached off-center or is that just a trick of the camera?
It’s a good thing there are so many reproduction parts available for early Mustangs, as I fear you won’t be saving much from this interior if you want to refurbish the car. This begs the question I often ask Barn Finds readers — would you go back with stock components, or take the opportunity to add some custom touches? I’m afraid I’m too much a fan of the Trans-Am racing series not to add some Minilite-type wheels and lower the car a bit from stock. How about you?
This picture shows what may well be the original 351 cubic-inch V-8. The seller was kind enough to include a copy of the Marti Report in the listing, but despite the report being only three years old, it is obviously water-damaged and wrinkled; just a curiousness. The rust holes in the battery compartment are probably just a harbinger of what’s really under there, and the lack of a carburetor has me worried. On the other hand, it’s nice to see the air conditioner intact. What do you think about this dilapidated pony car? Is it worth the effort to restore?
Like Jamie says, a bit of an oddity. Not a Mach 1 (or even a GT, which was available early in the 1969 model year), but a regular Sportsroof. Well-equipped with a/c, power steering, power brakes, and a four-speed. Silver Jade, an interesting color, with whitewalls and wheel covers, but with a base interior. It seems most people ordering a performance-oriented Mustang in 1969 would have sprung for the more-aggressive-looking Mach 1. But the original owner wanted something a bit different. Same thing today, if restored to stock or near-stock it would be a bit different. The 1969 Mustangs are quite popular, I hope it gets restored.
The seller claims the car ‘runs and drives.’ The images suggest otherwise. The rust under the hood along with along with the ‘comes with’ parts list including floor pans provide clues to the condition of the underside. If this was a Mach 1 I don’t think it would be worth $17k as it sits.
Thx for the Marti report Jamie. Interesting car. The owner optioned for the M code 351. Great call. The H code 351 had 40hp less. But they didn’t order a trac lok axle. Shame but easy fix obviously. The 4spd is nice.
I would want more pictures of that engine. Note the extended valve cover wing bolts. Windsor would have 3 on the exhaust side, 4 on a Cleveland. But we only see two in the picture. Marti says M code Cleveland, but possible it was replaced at some point with a Windsor.
I do not see anything on the Marti report that says this car has a Cleveland engine. All it says it that it has a M code 351 4V engine. In 1969 the only 351 engine that was available was the Windsor. The 351 Cleveland was not available until the 1970 model year. This applies to both the 2V and the 4V versions.
I believe the Cleveland became available in 1970?
Too rough for $17,500.