By definition, “Mach 1” is the speed of sound, which comes out to 767 miles per hour. There are aircraft that can go faster than that, and when such a thing happens, the “sound barrier” is broken. Due to a pressure difference created between the front and rear of the aircraft, there is a shock wave that creates a sonic boom. Think a Mustang is capable of hitting such speeds? Let’s look into it and find out.
The Pick of the Day is a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Renton, Washington. (Click the link to view the listing)
“This head-turner originally came with a 351cid Windsor 2V with the FMX transmission but was swapped to a built 1972 351cid Cleveland 2V with a C6 automatic transmission,” the seller states. “Upgrades include a mild cam, a four-barrel intake manifold, headers, exhaust, MSD ignition, a Pro Billet distributor, coil, lightweight pulleys, and more. It makes an estimated 400 horsepower.”
That is a hefty powerplant for this pony car. The Mach 1 model was created by Ford as an evolution of the first-generation Mustang which became widely popular in the mid-1960s. The Mach 1 name included a performance-oriented option package that was only available in a fastback (or “SportsRoof”) body style. Many options were available for the Mach 1 in terms of powertrain and transmission combinations, and all were equipped with upgraded suspensions to some degree.
The seller states that the interior of this Mach 1 has undergone a recent refurbishment which included replacement of the dash, Custom Autosound stereo, quartz clock, heater core, and even the seat belts. Additionally, the car received new Magnum 500 wheels and BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.
Incidentally, Ford has again tried marketing Mustangs under the “Mach” naming conventions, including the latest which is a Mach “E” all-electric crossover. The use of this phrasing created a lot of controversy when it first launched. The ironic reality is, the electric Mach E may actually get closer to “mach” speeds than a 1969 Mach 1 would. Which version would you rather drive at triple digit speeds?
The asking price is $59,000 or best offer for this Mach 1.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I bought a used 69 Mach l in 1972, I was 17, and just graduated high school. I paid $1,950 for it. It was light blue metallic with the flat black hood and those really cool hood pins. It also had the yellow reflection stripes on the sides and trunk. The interior was all black with the red stripe on the front seat backs just like this one, and red rubber floor mats built in to the carpet. I loved the dashboard which was trimmed in a light colored woodgrain that followed onto the console and door panels, and a plastic woodgrain streeing wheel and sound anywhere horn. It had power steering, power front disc brakes, and factory air conditioning. It too came with the 351 Windsor but it had a 4300 Motorcraft 4 barrel carburetor, and the FMX automatic transmission. Duel exhaust, 18 inch glasspacs a resonator and chrome quad tips that looked and sounded very cool. At first I felt a little guilty for having such a great car, especially as my first car, but I got used to it very quickly and loved it more than life its self. I did have it painted black, and but Keystone mag wheels and wide Goodyear tires all the way around. Radial tires were just becoming popular at the time, and eventually I fitted it with BF Goodrich T/A radials, which really helped how it handed. The 69 Mustang Mach l was the best looking Mustang ever made, that’s not just my opinion, ask anyone. I drove that “69” (that became its name) everywhere including 3 cross country road trips, and to every National Park in the country. I drove it to Mammoth Mountain every weekend during the winter months for ski trips and several times during the summer for fishing trips. The engine never cooled off I drove it so much. I had it for more than 30 years and loved it so much that when I did buy new cars, I always kept the 69. But life changes in ways we don’t always want it to. So, do to financial reasons I had to sell it in 2012, for $6,000. I thought that was a good price, that is until I saw this one at $59,000. I knew how great it was but who knew it would someday be worth so much more. In any event of course I wish I still had it. I say that about most of the cars I ever owned, and it’s true. I read that a lot of guys say that in their posts. It helps me to know I’m not the only one that feels that way about their favorite cars. So now I collect diecast model cars, I typically buy 1:18 scale and by now I have a great collection. The first one I bought was a black 1969 Mustang Mach I, it’s my number one favorite out of a collection of over a 100, cars.