1970 Mustang Mach 1 Project Car: Love It or Leave It?

Classic Mustang is missing many of its original parts but it is an original Mach 1 with the VIN to prove it.

While flipping through the Los Angeles Craigslist site (looking at Ford Mustang project cars that we really don’t need) we came across this 1970 Mach 1. This is an actual Mach, 1 complete with a Marti report listing all of the key details, but as you can see in the pictures here, it is missing a handful of key components inside, outside and under the hood.

Also, what is there needs some work, but for someone who is looking for a fairly elaborate project, this is a great chance to get a legendary Ford Mustang for a fraction of what it could be worth when completed.

Details

When this 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was posted on Craigslist earlier this month, the seller provided the following information.

“1970 Mach 1 Mustang. This is a true factory Mach 1 that came with optional “M” code 290HP 351C-4V engine (which is missing) the Automatic Transmission is still in the car as well as the HD 9″ Rear End. Also equipped with Power Steering and Power Disc Brakes. Needs some minor Body Work but a nice solid Body considering its age. Front Floor Pans were replaced but there was very little rust in the car and no rust repairs are required except maybe bottom of LH quarter panel.

This car also came from the factory with extremely rare Shaker Hood option. The original Shaker Assembly is long gone, so it comes with a Reproduction Shaker Assembly as well as a New Shaker Hood with new Mach 1 Twist Locks. There are many New Parts inside and out including Rear Spoiler, but this is a PROJECT needing complete restoration. Brand new 17″ Mini-Lite rims would make a great Boss 302 Trans Am clone. I am asking $12,750. Low ballers need not inquire, I do not need to sell it. I have a deluxe Marti report original colors are Gold with a Black Deluxe Interior.”

Clean Body

On the outside, this Mustang doesn’t look great in a few different shades of black, but if you look at the body panels, they all appear to be in good shape. There are some pieces of the grille missing, but with some new headlight bulbs, a reproduction grille, a little body work and a nice paint job, this classic Mach 1 would probably look pretty great.

Those new wheels don’t really work for someone going for the original Mach 1 look but with some suspension that tucks the body down over the rollers, they might look good on this classic fastback.

New Drivetrain is Ideal

This 1970 Mustang comes with the original automatic transmission and heavy duty rear differential. However, anyone attempting this project will want to have them thoroughly gone-over and possibly rebuilt. Since the original engine is gone, as it the original Shaker hood, there isn’t a concern of building a numbers-matching car, so anyone with an engine and transmission ready to go into a car might want to jump on this 1970 Mach 1.

The engine bay appears to be a rusty mess, so in addition to the engine and transmission, the buyer will likely have to run some new hoses and wiring under the hood. Then again, anyone who is really going through the steps to restore this car will be doing that anyway.

All New Upholstery

This 1970 Mustang has new floor pans, so it makes sense that the original carpeting is gone.

The buyer will likely want to add new carpeting, but the seat covers are in poor shape, so this project should entail all-new upholstery from top to bottom. However, once the seats are recovered and the new carpeting is installed, this cabin should look pretty sharp. The dashboard and steering wheel appear to be in good shape, so the seats and the floor are the only true “needs” in order to make this a sharp cruiser.

Love It or Leave It?

This 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is listed for $12,750 and it needs an engine, a transmission rebuild, a full paint job, interior carpeting, new seat covers and a whole lot of elbow grease to clean up what is already present. It will never be a numbers-matching car, but it could most certainly be restored to its original glory as a real 1970 Mach 1.

Would you jump on a project like this or would you pass and look for something that is more complete?

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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