It used to proudly display a red and black color combo. Now all that it shows are bents and dents, dust and rust, and a red paint going orange. It is a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, which must have long said goodbye to its heydays. The first-generation Ford Mustang was a hit. The carmaker sold almost three million units of those. Ford kept the Mustang Mach 1 in production through 1970 and never messed much with its visuals.
This version, the Mach 1, was so successful that the carmaker decided to drop the GT badge from the lineup. They only sold 5,396 GTs versus 72,458 Mach examples, even though the Mach was never available as a convertible or a hardtop, only as a fastback. The GT would not return to the Mustang range until 1982.
As for the Mach, that’s a whole different story. And this right here is one of those 72,457 units sold. It comes with the iconic quad-headlamp layout and recessed taillights on a black honeycomb rear panel that confirm that it means business. There is a two-tone paint scheme, and there are dual chrome exhaust tips at the rear.
An aftermarket black vinyl top and an aggressive hood scoop, together with the 15-inch Magnum wheels with Goodyear Polyglas GT tires round up the looks of what used to be a sight to behold some time ago. And still is, if you can see beyond the wrinkles and crinkles of a Mustang that is over half a decade old. We are dealing with a Mach 1, so the car comes with the typical graphics.
So many wrinkles and crinkles on the body of the Ford Mustang Mach 1
But there is not a single inch on its body panels where there is not a dent or a bent, a crack or a spot of rust. The hood, quarter panels, front and rear fenders, they all look as if they are all in pain. Not much has passed the test of time. It is obvious that this automobile right here has never been a garage queen.
On board, there are high-back bucket seats in black vinyl with contrasting red accents. The owner points out that the front seat covers and door panels show the usual wear and tear. Furthermore, the driver’s seat back is patched with tape so it doesn’t start disintegrating, while the headliner is sagging.
An AM/FM/cassette stereo with an eight-track player, Pioneer speakers, and the woodgrain trim on the dashboard remind us of the automotive fashion from 51 years ago.
There is a 120-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, and a fuel-level gauge. The mechanical odometer only shows 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers). But don’t trust everything you see in there. Most likely, that clock must have been rolled over.
The current owner claims he drove it for around 2,000 miles, but has no clue about the total mileage. The front and rear bumpers are new, and so is the carpet set, all replaced in 2023. Under the hood of this Mustang Mach 1 still works a 351-cubic inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland V8, mated to a four-speed manual transmission that steers power to the rear wheels. And it has to deal with 300 hp (304 PS) and 385 lb-ft (522 Nm) of torque. The engine of this Mach 1 was rebuilt in 2014, now featuring a Holley four-barrel carburetor with an electric choke.
The 1969 Mustang Mach 1 was also available with the mighty 428-cubic inch (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8. But that was for the Mach 1 Cobra Jet only. The owner, who bought it back in 2013, also replaced the radiator, exhaust system, fuel tank, shocks, and wheels one year after the purchase. The left-front floorpan is also new. The fuel pump also got replaced in preparation for the sale. The car sports a Traction-Lock differential, while power-assisted front discs and rear drums are tasked with the braking.
The 1969 Ford Mustang is now offered at no reserve with a standard Marti Report. A reproduction sticker, an owner’s manual, and several spare parts, plus a clean California title are included in the price. How far it goes remains to be seen.