Too Far Gone? 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
There is something heartbreaking about seeing a once desirable and potent classic reduced to a rusty and shattered hulk. That has been the fate of this 1969 Mustang Mach 1, and many will question its worth in the current market. Its drivetrain components are gone, and its body seems to contain more rust than steel. However, that hasn’t prevented it from receiving eight bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Knox, Indiana. The action has pushed the price to $1,675 in a No Reserve auction, with time remaining for interested parties to stake a claim on this forlorn classic.
The previous owner purchased this Mustang while he was in high school, but his passing means it is unclear how it has been reduced to its current state. It appears it may have been involved in a fender bender on its driver’s side, which may have been the beginning of the end. We can see glimpses of its original Candy Apple Red paint, but the supplied photos are dominated by acres of surface corrosion and rust. Virtually no aspect of the car has been spared, and only a few hanging panels might be fit for use in this car’s restoration or another build. The glass is gone, exposing the interior to the elements. Therefore, this Mach 1 has seamlessly transitioned from flawless to floorless, with the rails, torque boxes, and other structural steel suffering a similar fate. There is no title, but the Tags are all intact. Those may have driven the bidding action because there seem to be only a few salvageable parts in this Mustang.
The Marti Report confirms that this Mach 1 was about as good as it got when the original owner completed their Order Form. Its engine bay housed the R-Code 428 Cobra Jet V8, which sent 335hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque to the 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end via a four-speed close-ratio manual transmission. They didn’t opt for power steering, but the power front disc brakes would have helped bring the Mustang to a safe and sure stop. The performance figures were all you might expect, with this classic capable of storming the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds on its way to 131mph. Those days are long behind this Mustang, with its entire drivetrain disappearing many years ago. It is a similar story inside this Ford, with most of the interior trim and hardware a distant memory. The seller emphasizes the presence of the original gauges and factory tach, but I don’t see much value in those. The lack of glass means moisture will have found its way inside these components, which is the ideal way to render precision instruments worthless.
In an ideal world, the Earth will open up and swallow this 1969 Mustang Mach 1. That way, passionate enthusiasts won’t need to see the shattered remains of a once-great car. I believe the auction interest is solely based on the presence of the Tags and that the vehicle itself has no real value beyond that of scrap steel. However, the significant rust means that even that aspect is negligible. I am happy to be wrong, but I think the only items on this classic that might see a new life are the Tags. Do you agree?
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Comments
Oh my! Mach 1 straight to the crusher or perhaps lawn art at the Mustang ranch.
The Mustang Ranch in Colorado? That place closed about ten years ago. The owner sold his twenty-one Shelbys to a Chinese buyer.
It’s a bit rough around the edges, but doable. But why for the cost buying a good example would be cheaper.
First recipient of the August “you’ve got to be kidding” award.
Yessir.
I think i see a good valve stem cap.
Come on, folks. The front wheel bearings were well greased at some point and probably survived behind the spindle seals. Assuming the other bearing cover is in place you could salvage the whole set!
People will pay big bucks just to get legit tags from an CJ car and slap em on a dynacorn,using just enough of the crusher quality donater to justify it.
Correct, and the end product will have a lot of Chinese reproduction part content. This is why I won’t buy a restored car. Original all the way.
I thought switching vin tags was illegal. If it is, someone should save the vin of this car and let’s see where it pops up in a year or two. I wouldn’t be surprised if a “one owner” “original paint” “9,000 original mile” CJ with the same vin comes up for sale in a few years.
It’s so obvious ….
This is a joke right?
The immediate garden won’t be suffering any yellowing from iron deficiency that’s for sure. Sad that a classic could end up like this
Its cheaper than the 17500 earlier junker to get the vin number
Hey isn’t he offering 5 grand to fibd one 😉😜😆
I came to this site to see how many car guys or gals would drop a dime on this rust bucket. ThunderRob maybe right about the tag (vin number) to slap it a reproduction Stang. 7 days to go at $2,150.00 so far. It’s a shame what happened to this 428 CJ but it’s done. Maybe some metal can be fix and used on fixing up a good project. Time will tell. 🇺🇸🐻
The wife’s 2020 Explorer ST has a quarter mile time of 13.9@99 mph. Crazy that a new twin turbo six would beat a 428 CJ in the quarter. Anyway, I’d let this one Rust in Peace.
I just noticed the only tire on the car is a Supercharger F 60-14. Brought back memories from the 60s and 70s. Remember buying those from Nationwise Auto Parts
i don’t know if there are enough salvageable and usable parts here to make what the bidding is heading for. but that’s all she is, a parts donor.
if it was an ebody mopar i would say maybe 2500 worth of salvage parts.
the best part of it is the seller’s willingness to allow stripping it there and leave the rest, so you wouldn’t need to show up at home with yet another carcass to annoy the missus with
In todays crazy world? Everything is for sale. Sheesh. A high school auto body shop wouldn’t take this pile as a donation.
Are there any of those still around? My neighbor used to teach at one. They restored his Karman Ghia as a project.
I am laughing too hard for meaningful comment.
For supposedly so many car people that are on this and have sooo much to say about everything why do they not understand it is a VIN, not a Vin number. Unless vehicle identification number number is correct and I have it wrong.
This is one of those “The La Brea Tar Pits” things (entire phrase translated to English: “The The Tar Tar Pits”)
That rim blow steering wheel might bring ya $350.00. LOL
The only thing missing here is a DELUXE Marti Report!
They are bidding for the VIN
Twist-o-flex.
Too. Far. Gone.
Not even enough left for a decent fastback-graft-fake.
Are there any of those still around? My neighbor used to teach at one. They restored his Karman Ghia as a project.
Come on give me a break you could do better by running it across the scales. However, there are those that tend to see that glaring light, yet others will pick apart a “SOLID” non running vehicle and want it for free or just a part.
All that is good on it are the lug nuts.
There are plenty of parts manufacturers who are not Chinese! Good luck on finding a pure muscle car that has not had a part replaced in the past 50 years that still does exist! These cars were put through their paces in their heyday! Again, Bick thank you for your POSITIVE feed back on the market place. You keep making it easier and cheaper to purchase what is left lol..take care.
Are they bidding to use the vin plate on another project.
not even good enough for yard art!!
I’d crush it into a coffee table, with a glass top, and make sure the VIN and Marti Report were visible through the glass.
Mind an’ wear gloves when you’re doing it; got to watch out for tetanus…
Yeah, they are selling the VIN….. some poor sucker is going to buy a re-VIN’d Mustang eventually. It isn’t even close to being financially feasible to rebuild this thing
I am not sure exactly reflects a vin ring used on other cars? Example, you have many cars that have been totaled out by insurance companies that eventually gets purchased and returned back to the street with a new owner who has replaced every panel on the car. Is this still the same original car? Or if you remove the firewall and vin intact from a totaled out car and return it to another car is that a vin transfer? The vin and firewall plates are basically a birth certificate for any given car. So in my view if the above are transferred intact with no removal, the car is legit! Take care.
Only thing of value here is the VIN tag, if its even there! put her out of her misery and send it to the crusher
This is truly heartbreaking. When I was in high school, I traded in my 69 Mach 1 (because there was some body rust). I’ve spent the past 2 years trying to find that first love again – to no avail. I see these pictures and wonder if this was the fate of my car. My actions were (are?) definitive proof that 18 year olds are stupid (or at least, I was). If any of you have any ideas about how I can track down my baby, please get in touch.
Wow, this car should be listed as Free to a Good Home.
Wow, this pile of Chevy wouldnt be worth it if it was a Boss.