The “new” Mustang debuted in 1969 with many changes, but I still believe that the most notable tidbit was the introduction of the Mach 1.
With approximately 72,500 units sold in its first year on the market, the Mach 1 rapidly turned the Mustang GT into a redundant model, later becoming a highly desirable version – and it still is today, especially in all-original, complete, and tip-top condition.
Ford sold less than 300,000 Mustangs in 1969, and the hardtop dominated the year with over 127,000 units. 61,980 customers picked the fastback, and only 14,746 ordered a convertible. The six-cylinder hardtop was the cheapest at $2,618.
The Mustang in these photos landed on eBay with one ambitious goal: to find a new home where it can hopefully be part of a complete restoration.
You don’t have to be a diehard restoration guy to figure out what happens here. This Mustang has been sitting for many years, possibly right under the clear sky, so it now comes in a very rough shape. The rust has already invaded the essential parts, and eBay seller monk916 admits that the car needs new floors. However, the body panels are “workable,” but you’ll have to inspect everything in person before committing to a purchase.
It’s clear this Mustang isn’t aimed at the faint of heart, and the chances are that it could end up becoming a parts car for someone saving another Mustang. It comes without an engine and a transmission, but this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. Many of the parts still available on this Mustang are in horrible shape, so even if they’re still on the car, they are worth nothing.
You’re not losing much, even if the engine is no longer in place. The car rolled off the assembly lines with the optional six-cylinder engine rated at 155 horsepower. We all know that a straight-six isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and many buyers would have installed another engine anyway, so go ahead and upgrade this Mustang to whatever potent mill you have around.
While the photos clearly show that saving this Mustang is a difficult job, the car doesn’t sell cheaply. The owner wanted at least $2,000 for their project, and despite posting the vehicle with a no-reserve auction – meaning it needed a single bid to find a new home – it failed to convince netizens to join the battle. The auction ended with zero bids, likely due to a combination of a very rough condition and a high price.
The Mustang could land online a second time in the coming weeks, and I’ll let you know when this happens if you want this project. It probably deserves a chance at the right price, and you can see it in person in Locust Grove, Georgia.