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 gorgeous paint job and proper Mach 1 regalia, this slick fastback with its matching-numbers 351 is that rare combination of desirability and price that should put all Mustang fans on high alert.

The brilliant red paint on this stunning Mach 1 could probably pass for Candyapple Red, but there's enough metallic in it to really make it glow. It was likely borrowed from a late-model color pallet, but after seeing how good it looks, particularly in the sunlight, I doubt anyone will complain. 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, rear window slats, 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 woodgrained steering wheel adds to the upscale ambience of the Mach 1, and the options list includes factory A/C, so you shouldn't fret about using this Mustang regularly. The original radio has been upgraded to an AM/FM/cassette unit and the fold-down rear seat really makes the fastback a practical car. The trunk behind the back seat is nicely finished with a reproduction mat and a space-saver spare with jack assembly.

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. It's fairly stock, although the Edelbrock air cleaner is definitely not factory-issue, even with the reproduction decal on top. Nice chrome valve covers add to the dressed-up look, although the A/C compressor dominates the top of the engine compartment. There's a Holley 4-barrel carburetor on top and a rumbling dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers underneath, so it really delivers the true Mustang experience. We believe the engine is the original, numbers-matching piece, and it's backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission and a 9-inch rear end that also appear to be the car's original components. The undercarriage isn't detailed for show, but someone has thoughtfully added a set of subframe connectors to reinforce the tub as well as those flashy 5-spoke chrome wheels with fat Uniroyal rubber wrapped around them.

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