Ford released the Mach 1 as a new addition to its Mustang range in 1969, and few people realized the new model sounded the death knell for the GT variant. The fact the GT was available across all body styles wasn’t grounds to grant a stay of execution, with the badge retired by the year’s end. This 1969 GT is the last of the breed, and it seems the company saved the best for last. Its engine bay houses its original 390ci V8 and a four-speed manual transmission. It requires restoration, but its solid nature means that it should be a relatively straightforward process. The seller listed the Mustang here on eBay in Granite Falls, Washington. Bidding sits below the reserve at $19,100, with time remaining for interested parties to stake their claim.

The history of this Mustang is quite vague, but the seller believes it has hibernated since the 1980s. Evidence of repaired light accident damage on one front corner may have been the catalyst for its lack of action. They believe most of its Lime Gold paint is original, with the same true of the steel. They confirm one front fender and the hood were replaced, but the rest is as it left the line in 1969. The panels sport a selection of bumps and bruises, making a cosmetic restoration a no-brainer. There are minor rust bubbles in the lower door corners, but that appears to be the extent of the bad news when discussing the presence of tin worm. They supply an extensive image gallery that shows the floors, rails, and torque boxes to be rock-solid. The doors are patchable, which is probably the preferred path for those considering originality. The trim condition ranges from good to items requiring restoration, and the glass is clear.

Frustratingly, the seller supplies seventy images in their listing, but none are of the engine bay. They confirm it houses the numbers-matching S-Code 390ci V8. The car left the line with a three-speed C6 automatic transmission, with the first owner passing on power-sapping options like power assistance for the steering and brakes. However, a previous owner swapped the C6 for a four-speed manual. The S-Code produced 320hp and 427 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, and there is a good chance it might top those figures today. The GT sat for years before the seller performed a revival, which wasn’t as straightforward as they hoped. They flushed the fuel system and pre-oiled the engine before discovering valvetrain problems. They decided to replace everything rather than accept a compromise that might come back to bite someone later. They added an aluminum intake, Holley carburetor, and long tube headers. They say the 390 sounds fantastic and feels extremely strong. They don’t specifically describe the GT as a turnkey proposition, but that is the impression provided in the listing.

The Mustang’s interior is a mixed bag of original components and aftermarket additions. The latter includes extra gauges, a radio/cassette player, high-back seats, and a vertical gate shifter. It is serviceable if the new owner isn’t worried about shortcomings like a cracked pad and some vinyl deterioration. Still, it is a prime candidate for a retrim if the winning bidder seeks perfection. The first owner didn’t load the interior with optional extras, although the factory tachometer and Sport Deck rear seat are welcome inclusions.

It is surprising that the Mustang GT didn’t survive beyond 1969 because Ford offered it across all body styles. The Mach 1 was a different proposition as a Fastback-only package. However, the sales figures told the story, justifying the end of GT production. Ford sold 72,458 Mach 1s in 1969, but only 5,396 buyers splashed their cash on the GT. Our feature car is one of the last produced, making it worthy of restoration. I hope someone buys it and returns it to its former glory. This classic deserves nothing less.