What is a Mustang Mach 1?
It all started in 1969, with the introduction of the new Mach 1. Here was a performance-oriented Mustang designed and engineered to look and perform with the best-of-the-best 1969 had to offer. The Mach 1 competed with cars like the Pontiac GTO Judge, Plymouth Roadrunner, and even in-house competition such as the Mustang GT and Boss 302.
What set the Mach 1 apart?
For 1969, Ford offered seven different performance-oriented Mustangs – the GT, the Mach 1, the Boss 302, the Boss 429, the Shelby GT350, and the Shelby GT500, demonstrating very boldly that Ford was dedicated to serving motoring enthusiasts. The Mach 1 supplanted the GT by year’s end. It was in showrooms and people couldn’t figure out why they would want a GT. The Mach 1 offered a higher degree of style and creature comforts, and it was the “latest” thing. By the end of 1969, over 72,000 Mach 1s would be sold, versus just over 5,000 GTs. While this means the GT is rarer, it doesn’t really equate to more valuable, in many cases.
The Mach 1 was available only as a SportsRoof model, no coupes or convertibles allowed. It was set up with a blackout hood finish, a hood scoop (optionally a real “Shaker” hood), hood pins, pop-open gas cap, a Deluxe Interior Package, a chin spoiler, rear deck spoiler, and rear SportSlats, aka louvers.
The standard engine was the 351 CI V-8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and a 3-speed manual transmission. A 4-barrel was optional, as was an automatic transmission, and for those looking for more “GO,” there was the 390 CI V-8 or even the 428 CI V-8. A symphony of gearing differentials was available as well. The chassis was upgraded with performance parts like sway bars, springs, shocks, and so on, of course the bigger 390- and 428-equipped cars received additional equipment to provide flatter turning and better braking.
Was the Mach 1 fast?
In a word, yes. To prove their worth, in 1968 racecar drivers Mickey Thompson and Danny Ongais took three Mach 1s to the Bonneville Salt Flats to demonstrate their performance to “Hot Rod Magazine.” While doing so, they set 295 speed and endurance records over a series of 500-mile 24-hour courses. It was a grueling time, but well worth the effort.
Car and Driver magazine tested a 1969 Mach 1 with the 428 and found 0-60 took only 5.7-seconds. The ¼-mile was completed in a mere 14.3-seconds. And, the top speed was estimated to be about 115 MPH. For 1969, these were very solid numbers. Interestingly, a 351 with a 4-barrel could find 60 from naught in about 6.5-seconds, which was still nothing to sneeze at for the day. By comparison, the almighty 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger would thunder from 0-60 in about 5-seconds, but the 440/6-Pack would need about 5.5-seconds – roughly the same timeframe and the Mustang cost considerably less.
How long did Ford make the Mach 1?
Ford introduced it in late 1968 for 1969, revising its styling for 1970. For 1971 an all-new Mustang bodystyle would emerge, and the Mach 1 would be offered once again, sustaining through 1973. For 1974, another all-new Mustang would be introduced. The Mach 1 was a part of the lineup. Interestingly, the initial year, no V-8 was offered at all, but for 1975, the 5.0L/302 CI V-8 was offered and standard in Mach 1. While it was a performance dud, it looked terrific and outsold all the previous Mach 1s combined.
Like the original 1969, the 1974 Mustang II Mach 1 struck a chord with buyers of the time. The 1978 model year would see the end of the line for the original Mach 1 lineup. In 2003 and 2004 Mach 1 would return, and then again in 2021 and 2023.
Why do we like the Mach 1?
In a word, styling. The 1969 Mach 1 knocked it out of the park in terms of overall styling. It was handsome, but offered a number of really cool design elements that made it ripe for the late 1960s-early 1970s muscle car wars. It was the kind of car that appealed to high schoolers as well as young people in the workforce. The Mach 1 had a lot of amenities as standard and offered a lot of performance for the money. There is little to dislike about the Mach 1.
Photo credits: Ford, Hemmings, The Jumping Frog.