Mustang Mike,
My first Mustang was a '68 notchback back in 1984 when I was 16. It was a "C" engine code car (originally 289) with 3 speed man trans. When I got it it had a tired 351W and FMX auto in it. The clutch pedal was tucked up behind the top of the carpet. I did a lot of floorpan, trunk floor and bodypanel weld in replacements and then a lot of body filler and finally painted and put the interior back in. I learned a great deal from that early restoration. When it was complete I decided to sell it in 1985 when I spotted a 69 convertible for sale. I just really liked the 4 headlight nose of a '69. The '69 convertible was even more extensive restoration and I still have it in the garage today. In 1992 I wanted a 69 Sportroof and I bought a yellow one because the price was right and it was a Florida body - NO RUST! It was advertised as a Mach 1 and I didn't notice until after I owned it that it was a 63B code (deluxe sportroof) instead of 63C (Mach 1). I never really liked the yellow color and planned on painting it and striping it but once I figured out it wasn't a 63C I'm not a big clone guy so it has remained a fun driver as is. In 2011 I came across the partially disassembled 69 GT500 Shelby as a project, had to have it. Brought it home and reassembled and it brings us to car shows and cruise nights in the summer.
I have always wanted a "S" code 69 Mach 1 4 speed car. I've been on the casual search for one for the past couple years. I'm looking for one in a project state somewhere midway between a rusted out shell and a pristine show car. There seem to be many at each end of this spectrum but not too many in my zone in the middle.
Thus I have enjoyed reading many of the threads on this site.
I usually don't like extensive modifications to these cars. But, a good aspect of your 69 Deluxe Sportsroof car is its a good candidate for drive train modifications without any negative impact on its value. Maybe a 351W based stroker motor, 4-wheel disk brakes, some suspension upgrades, etc. It could be a fun car to tinker with.
I look at your picture of your three Mustangs, oddly I like the body lines the yellow Deluxe Sportsroof over the Shelby. That's just me. No disrespect to Shelby, but for 69 and 70 I've always preferred the styling of the Boss and Mach 1 Mustang's.
I love the 69's Mustang's as well and there is nothing prettier than seeing 3 of them in your garage. Now my next question is how did you stumble across a partially disassembled Shelby? Was it being advertised locally? There must have been a 100 people interested in that car.
Here is a link to a guy listing a 69 Mach 1 390 4 speed on ebay. The car is actually located in the next town over from me. I think he is looking to get over $10k for it based on the last auction the reserve was not met.
One of a few things I did notice in the pictures is it looks like someone cut grease fitting access holes in the shock towers and cut right through the reinforcement plates to get there. It can be fixed, but what a stupid thing to do but at the time I guess it made a lot of sense to a lot of people! I actually e-mailed the seller to confirm this and asked to see the car in person but he did not respond to my question. That says a lot to me!
Mike,
I was watching that Mach 1 on Ebay. From the pictures it looks like many of the other New England salt exposure cars. When the trunk floor has patch panels, lower rear quarters, wheelhouses rusted out from the pictures I imagine rear frame rails have issues. Torque boxes, floor pans, front frame rails and shock towers surely show some signs as well. Thats about the condition my 69 convertible was in in 1985 when I did it. I know the scope of the repair path for that condition car and I would like to start a little further ahead with a more solid shell Mach 1. I have seen the hole saw through the shock towers for grease fitting access before. I guess its better than the torch hole access method I have seen on others.
I bought my Shelby on Ebay in 2011. The previous owner was 69 years old when he passed away of cancer. He had bought the car when he was 40 in 1982. He was owner #4. I contacted owner # 3 and got a lot of details regarding his ownership in 1981 and 82, he also gave me his 1981 CT registration for the car that he still had in a file at home. That car is completely rust free, it was just in pieces as the previous owner had the engine and trans out, and the whole dash disassembled as he was going to install air conditioning, thankfully no holes were drilled or wiring altered and I just have all the AC parts in a box in the basement.
(03-08-2015, 10:14 AM)Dan B Wrote: Mike,
I was watching that Mach 1 on Ebay. From the pictures it looks like many of the other New England salt exposure cars. When the trunk floor has patch panels, lower rear quarters, wheelhouses rusted out from the pictures I imagine rear frame rails have issues. Torque boxes, floor pans, front frame rails and shock towers surely show some signs as well. Thats about the condition my 69 convertible was in in 1985 when I did it. I know the scope of the repair path for that condition car and I would like to start a little further ahead with a more solid shell Mach 1. I have seen the hole saw through the shock towers for grease fitting access before. I guess its better than the torch hole access method I have seen on others.
I bought my Shelby on Ebay in 2011. The previous owner was 69 years old when he passed away of cancer. He had bought the car when he was 40 in 1982. He was owner #4. I contacted owner # 3 and got a lot of details regarding his ownership in 1981 and 82, he also gave me his 1981 CT registration for the car that he still had in a file at home. That car is completely rust free, it was just in pieces as the previous owner had the engine and trans out, and the whole dash disassembled as he was going to install air conditioning, thankfully no holes were drilled or wiring altered and I just have all the AC parts in a box in the basement.
Dan
Yup...New England cars get eaten up pretty good with winter salt and now a concentrated liquid salt being used on the roads just kills everyone's cars here.
I also agree with your analysis of that Mach 1 on e-bay and I would probably also look for something further ahead (at least for the price he is trying to get). The car is in pretty rough shape and I think that car is worth no more than $7,500 in that condition and like you said, there are probably more issues lurking with this car. Maybe I will try calling the number today to see if I can arrange to see the car.
Thank you for sharing the original e-bay posting of your Shelby. That is a very reasonable purchase price for a 69 Shelby. Nice find!
(03-08-2015, 09:36 PM)Mustangmike Wrote: Thank you for sharing the original e-bay posting of your Shelby. That is a very reasonable purchase price for a 69 Shelby. Nice find!
Yes, thank you for sharing the original posting. Nice find.
I don't know that I could even dream of finding a real 69 Shelby but as mentioned I might possibly get away with a clone.
That is a nicely optioned 69 Mach 1 on EBay, big block, 4sp, no A/C, numbers matching, plus a few more nice options. Too bad for all the rust. It already passed the $7500 value, but still hasn't met the reserve. I can't imagine it getting much higher. If I was in the market for another project, I'd still consider it at its current price then plan on getting more welding equipment and possibly a rotisserie.