Topic: 69 Mach 1?

[trucktricksdon]

I recently found a 69 Mustang that was supposed to have been a Mach 1 originally. It is in pieces, doors tag does not match dash vin or aprons. The title VIN matches the dash VIN. Question: According to the title and dash VIN, it is an H code 351 2V built in Dearborn (9F02HXXXXXX)  It has the 351 W #'s matching block. Is there anything other than a Marti Report that may confirm that it is a 69 Mach 1 just by looking?? Were 351 Windsor engines specific to Mach 1's or did they put 351 Windsors in regular sports roof cars as well? Doors came off of an F code car and have the sport mirrors. Front clip and aprons are off of a different F code....Lots of mixed up stuff here, but a pretty good start for a restoration. If it is a true Mach 1, I would be a little more inclined to buy it and get the Marti Report. Sorry guys, I am not too knowledgeable about anything newer than a 66.

[69GT350H]

Mach's had Heavy Duty Suspension, the big front sway bar and deluxe interior. I'm sure there is a lot more. I think the 351W motor was not special, I had one in my 69 GT.

[Brian Conway]

The 351 did go into other car lines so no help there.  The front clip has been changed ?  Maybe the pumpkin has some information posi, gears and axles ?  look for the staggered shocks ?  Brian

[WT8095]

Front clip and aprons are off of a different F code....

...or did someone move the VIN tag and motor into an F code body?

Ask the owner to get a Marti report. If he declines, my skepticism level would increase a notch or two.

[trucktricksdon]

The original front clip is sitting upside down behind the garage, pretty bent up. Owner said it was in an accident in the late 80s and has not been on the road since. Sitting upside down in the dirt for 25 years, needless to say I would think those Vin# s are long gone on the top of the aprons. It has the Mach 1 seats, sport mirrors, and woodgrain dash and factory hoodscoop (Non shaker style). What suspension components make it heavy duty? Staggered shocks...What would the sway bar diameter be if it were a Mach 1? I can go poke around behind the garage and see what is on the original clip.

[J_Speegle]

I recently found a 69 Mustang that was supposed to have been a Mach 1 originally. It is in pieces, doors tag does not match dash vin or aprons. The title VIN matches the dash VIN. Question: According to the title and dash VIN, it is an H code 351 2V built in Dearborn (9F02HXXXXXX)  It has the 351 W #'s matching block. Is there anything other than a Marti Report that may confirm that it is a 69 Mach 1 just by looking?? Were 351 Windsor engines specific to Mach 1's or did they put 351 Windsors in regular sports roof cars as well? 

Don't see anything so far what would prove or disprove the car was a Mach. If there had been the original buck tag, buildsheet or door tag you would be further along with what it is than you currently are. As mentioned Marti in the next stop if your going forward.

Doors came off of an F code car and have the sport mirrors. Front clip and aprons are off of a different F code....Lots of mixed up stuff here, but a pretty good start for a restoration.

IF the car has been clipped I would have to strongly disagree as being a good start for a restoration. Considering it may be a H code car and the possible clip it might not even be a decent parts car.  IMHO no reason to mess with trying to fake the original or even transferring VIN's in this example and consider that restoring a 351 W car (even without all the legal issues) will be similar to rebuilding a much more valuable Mach. 

......... What suspension components make it heavy duty? Staggered shocks...What would the sway bar diameter be if it were a Mach 1? .

Size and markings of the front springs, front sway bar and original shocks in this case. Not to be confused with what Shelby and Boss guys call "Heavy Duty Suspension"  Staggered shocks relate to engine and transmission choice. Can't remember the measurement of the front sway bar - always a pain to get a good measurement with rust and such.

[trucktricksdon]

All good points, thanks Jeff. I have been looking for a fastback project for quite some time now. It seems in the last 2 years, prices on these cars have really gone through the roof. Finding one with a decent price to start with is almost impossible now. With the amount of money needed to restore one, paying $10- $15,000 for something that is not even a car seems to be the norm lately. This one caught my eye because the guy only wanted $1500. With a low initial investment, I can put more into the restoration. In trying to re-create the original car, what steps would be involved in having new aprons restamped with the VIN? From a resource standpoint (does anyone know if there is some place that does it) and a legal standpoint, is it possible?

[J_Speegle]

Think you'll fine - in the long run its better to pay more and get more an pay less and have to do more. Owners normally only get 30-40 cents on the dollar for money thy put into a car. Find a great car to start or one where the owner put money into a project - as well as it was well spent. Confident that you will be happier in the long run

........., what steps would be involved in having new aprons restamped with the VIN? From a resource standpoint (does anyone know if there is some place that does it) and a legal standpoint, is it possible?

The basic answer is its illegal according to federal law some local agencies allow it but that does not address the federal issues. Many/most states look very poorly on the restamping and will impound and make you prove the car under/attached to the VIN is your car. Really hurts on a car that is finished. Some might make the choice if there is/was a single inner fender panel replaced (other 2-3 originals still in place)  but if its like you outlined its not for me.

[7Lscjracer]

I'd check to make sure the vin is or isn't remaining on the original front clip inner fender for certain
If so, it can be stitched into the current panel
Sway bar diameter is easy to measure with an open end wrench
Lots of people with H codes on this board can help out there
It shouldn't have full wrap shock towers, but some did squeak thru on the lines
No staggered shocks without a 428 4 gear, but it has happened otherwise on RARE occasions

[trucktricksdon]

I have seen so many different answers on the sway bar diameter. The most consistent seems to be 7/8 from what I have read, but is this exclusive to Mach 1 or did they use that same bar on non Mach 1 cars?

[J_Speegle]

I have seen so many different answers on the sway bar diameter. The most consistent seems to be 7/8 from what I have read, but is this exclusive to Mach 1 or did they use that same bar on non Mach 1 cars?

Believe GT's received the same front sway bar as well as all CJ cars no matter the option group

[7Lscjracer]

Went to check my M code 69 Mach 1 that I've owned for 34 years with original suspension that's never been apart except for changing the shocks, and the front sway bar is 7/8"

[sportyworty]

CJ,GT Big Block, and HD call out 15/16 bar

[J_Speegle]

CJ,GT Big Block, and HD call out 15/16 bar

Thanks for the correction Kerry 

[trucktricksdon]

Thanks for the info, I am going to check the sway bar on the original clip, as well as see if the old VIN numbers are intact on the original clip. Still not sure about this one...Jeff, you have me thinking about holding out for something a little more desireable. If the sway bar and other things check out and I can determine that it may be a true Mach, it may sway me a bit. Maybe I'll just pick it up as a parts car. The price is right and it does have some good  Mach 1 parts. Whether or not they belong to this VIN is beyond me.