1969 Ford Mustang Mach I Fastback
• True Mach 1
• 351 CID Cleveland V-8 engine–not original–with two-barrel carb (VIN code H)
• Candy Apple Red (code T) exterior and original black vinyl (code 3A) interior
• Cruise-O-Matic (code X) three-speed automatic transmission and 3.00 gearing (code 6)
• Power steering and power brakes
• Rear window louvers (SportSlats)
As the 1960s progressed, Ford’s Mustang gained a lot – more length, more width and more weight. This example is an actual Mach I fastback model made in Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan (VIN code F) factory on October 9, 1968. This example was transported to and originally sold in the Chicago, Illinois sales area.
The car is finished in Candy Apple Red (code T) and the paint and trim are in overall very good order, including the black Mach 1 trim stripes. The chrome bumpers fit to the body tightly, the engine bay is in good, original order, as is the rear trunk area, with its full-size spare tire with matching cover. This car had a set of factory SportSlats (rear window louvers).
This car rolls on Roadhandler Radial GT tires, size 215/70R14, at all four corners. Each one is mounted on a steel wheel topped with a factory wheel cover. The tires and wheels are all in good, original order.
Under the hood is a 351 CID Cleveland V-8 engine–not original–(VIN code H) with a two-barrel carburetor. Backing this motor is a Cruise-O-Matic (code X) three-speed automatic transmission and a 3.00:1 rear end (code 6). This example has power steering and power brakes with discs up front.
Inside, the car retains its original black vinyl interior (code 3A). The high-back front bucket seats with red trim and rear bench are in overall very good order. The center console is in good, original order, as is the factory AM radio. This example also has the Grandé package, which added a lot of teak wood for warmth.
The 1969 model year restyle “added more heft to the body” with body length extended by 3.8 inches (the wheelbase remaining at 108 inches), width increased by almost half an inch, and the Mustang’s “weight went up markedly too.” Nineteen sixty-nine was the first model to use quad headlamps placed both inside and outside the grille opening. The corralled grille pony was replaced with the pony and tribars logo, set off-center to the driver’s side. The car was longer than previous models and sported convex rather than concave side panels. The fastback body version was named SportsRoof in Ford’s literature.
The 1969 Ford Mustang featured numerous performance-themed model names and engines. Additionally, seven variations of V-8s were available in the 1969 through 1973 models; most of these were also available in the new Mach 1. Due to the Mach 1’s success, the GT model was discontinued after 1969 following poor sales of 5,396 units versus the 72,458 sales for the Mach 1.
The Mach 1 package was only available in the “SportsRoof” fastback body style (previously known as the ‘fastback’); never on the hardtop or convertible. Many resto-mod visual conversions have since been performed by owners and enthusiasts but are not Mach 1’s by VIN code. All first-generation Mach 1’s are distinguished by the body style code 63C on the door data plate.
The Mach 1 started with a V-8-powered SportsRoof body and added visual and performance-enhancing items such as matte black hood treatment with hood pins, hood scoop (including optional Shaker scoop), competition suspension, chrome pop-open gas cap, revised wheels with Goodyear Polyglas tires, chrome exhaust tips (except on the 351 Windsor with two-barrel carb), deluxe interior, livery and dealer optional chin spoiler, rear deck spoiler and rear window louvers (SportSlats).
Standard equipment was a 351 CID Windsor two-barrel carbureted engine with a three-speed manual transmission, and a nine-inch 28-spline open rear axle. A four-speed manual or three-speed FMX (small block) automatic transmission was optional. A “traction lok