1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Description

Look beyond the flashy wheels and you'll find what is arguably the best-looking Mustang ever made: the 1969 Mach 1 sportsroof. Sporting a high contrast paint job and proper Mach 1 regalia, this slick fastback with its matching-numbers 351 and a 4-speed is that rare combination of desirability and price that should put all Mustang fans on high alert.

The Wimbledon White paint on this handsome Mach 1 replaces the original Black Jade, and to be honest, we think it works a lot better. It isn't the way the factory did it, but after seeing how good it looks, particularly in the sunlight, I doubt anyone will complain about the color change. And fortunately, the sheetmetal underneath was properly prepped and finished before the paint went on and given the way this car fits together, it's likely that it never lived in the rust belt. Proper Mach 1 stripes and decals were applied and the hood scoop is surrounded by a blackout hood treatment that looks aggressive. Add in a chin spoiler, hood pins, and a wing on the rear deck and the result is a Mustang that defines high performance. The chrome bumpers are in very good condition and there's a surprising amount of stainless trim, all of which is in good shape. Sure, you can pick a few nits on this car, but the overall look is pretty dang nice.

The Mach 1's interior has always been a first-class place for the business of driving fast, and this one with its freshened bucket seats and many creature comforts is an ideal blend of comfort and speed. The seats were reupholstered just recently, along with new carpets, door panels, and headliner, and the center console is extremely nice. A new Grant woodgrained steering wheel adds to the upscale ambience of the Mach 1, as do the twin auxiliary gauges down on the console. The original gauges are now illuminated by LEDs, fixing the famous Mustang dim gauges problem. The original radio has been yanked and it's waiting for an upgrade, so you can install the sound system of your choice, but perhaps after you row the Hurst shifter through the gears, a new radio just won't be on your priorities list. The trunk behind the back seat is bare bones, but new mats are cheap and it doesn't take much to make it look right.

Ford's 351 cubic inch V8 makes good power and torque in Mach 1 guise, and with less weight over the nose, it's a good handler, too. This is the car's original, matching-numbers engine and it's fairly stock, although the open-element air cleaner is definitely not factory-issue. Finned COBRA valve covers add to the dressed-up look, and Ford Blue engine enamel adds to the OEM impression. In fact, they seemed to work to keep a lot of the OEM parts, but performance hardware was added as needed. There's a 4-barrel carburetor on top and a rumbling dual exhaust system with long-tube headers and Flowmaster mufflers underneath, so it really delivers the true Mustang experience. The undercarriage isn't detailed for show, but it has the right hardware, including a scattershield for the clutch and a 9-inch rear end with 3.25 gears inside, so it's a comfortable cruiser. Beautiful Magnum 500 wheels are the only real choice on your Mach 1 and are wearing suitably fat 205/60/15 front and 245/60/15 rear BFGoodrich radials.

Nicely finished and still quite authentic, this great-driving Mach 1 represents one of the last of the affordable pedigreed performance Mustangs. Call today!