Featured is a very nice looking 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. The Ford Mustang offered car buyers an affordable price along with great performance options. That combination had much to do with Mustang’s popularity among car buyers, especially the younger car buyers.
Mustang took on a new style for 1969 and along with it offered a great many factory performance options. There were a total of six power options offered. These included GT, Mach 1, Boss 302, Boss 429, and Shelby’s GT 350 and GT 500.
The 1969 Ford Mustangs compared to the first models in 1965 were more comfortable and were known for better handling. They were also quieter cars with more sound deadening material used.
The Ford Mustang Mach 1
The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was Ford’s response to Chevrolet’s Camaro which came out as a response to the Mustang. By 1969 the pony car performance war was in full stride. In addition, by 1969 there were more competitors introducing their versions of muscle cars.
The Mach 1 performance option was offered with Mustang’s from 1969 through 1978. The package was available only with the SportsRoof model, formerly known as the Fastback.
Along with a V-8 engine of varying displacement and horsepower, the Mach 1 package provided a hood scoop, hood pins, competition suspension, chrome gas cap, special Goodyear tires, chrome exhaust pipe tips, rear spoiler and a deluxe interior with high bucket seats and a console. In regards to exterior styling, the quad headlights were a 1969 only design. Ford lengthened the front and rear overhangs to make the Mustang appear bigger. The 1969 body was extended 3.8 inches.
Easily identifiable cosmetic enhancements on the Mach 1 is the black hood stripe, Shaker hood scoop and chrome exhaust tips.
1969 Mustang Mach 1 Specifications
The 1969 Mustang Mach1 came with a 351W cubic inch V-8 with 250 HP as the standard engine. Also available was a 390 cubic inch V-8 with configurations for 290 and 320 HP and a 428 Cobra Jet Ram-Air V-8 with 335 HP and could be configured to 360 HP.
There were several transmissions available including three and four speed manuals and a three speed automatic.
Mach 1’s had an upgraded competition suspension which varied depending on the powertrain selected.
Dimensions for the 69 Mustang was a 108.0 inch wheelbase, overall length 187.4 inches, width 71.3 inches, height 51.3 inches.
The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 weighed in at 3,250 lbs.
Total 1969 Ford Mustang production was 299,800 units with 72,400 being Mach 1 models. Total Mustang Mach 1’s produced from 1969 through 1978 were 258,000 vehicles.
Additional related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
Reference material for this article included Ford Mustang: America’s Original Pony Car by Donald Farr…Speed Read Mustang: The History, Design and Culture Behind Ford’s Original Pony Car by Donald Farr…Ford Motor Company Archives…Mustang Magazine..1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1: Muscles Cars in Detail NO. 9 by author Mike Mueller.
1969 Ford Mustang Collector Popularity
The 1969 Mustang was a special car during a special model year. As mentioned, 1969 offered the Ford Mustang buyer a great choice of performance options which may have made that model year the pinnacle of performance.
The Mustang Mach 1 had a terrific first year in sales and that’s significant when you consider that buyers had a choice of six different performance packages to choose from. In a way, the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was an overnight success story similar to when the very first model year Mustang was introduced to the public.
Current asking prices for 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1’s fall into a general range from $40,000 to $75,000. Depending on the engine the values could run quite higher. We see a 69 Mach 1 with a Cobra Jet engine priced at about $120,000. Originality, condition, mileage,degree of restoration and exact performance option package will determine true value.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)