Not only did the Ford Mustang , Ford ’s popular " ponycar , " get a major restyling in 1969 , it add up a excerption of memorable models , including the 1969 Ford Mustang Grande and Mach 1 . In all , five new models were added , plus a duo of " Bosses " later on . hurl in the excerption of sevenengines , and Mustang offered enough choice to satisfy every styling and carrying out appetite .
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In just about every dimension , the revamped Mustang looked a little plumper , a mite overdone . Quad headlight continued to limit its personality , with the tabu pair position in a deep-set recess - far removed from mates within the grille scuttle . Windows lost their release glass . Even dashboard were more dramatic .
Not everyone correspond that each modification followed the correct class . Back panels stick closest to the original Mustang theme , albeit with flattened tri - section lense . Otherwise , the machine ’s ratio seemed a fleck distorted , due mostly to the expand overhang out front .
Nevertheless , the yr fetch new moniker destined to enter the performance - motorcar lexicon . The Mach 1 , placard as the " wild newcomer , " take over its name from a futurist 1967 show car , the appellative signify the focal ratio of sound ( about 750 miles per hour ) . With a grip like that , a car just had to move with virtual supersonic haste – which it did , at least when the available Cobra Jet 428 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 lie under the hood .
Motor Trendproved as much when their examiner flash an early Mach 1 with 335 - bhp Cobra Jet to 60 in just 5.7 seconds , finish the quarter - mile in 14.3 seconds at a categoric 100 miles per hour . This , by the way , was accomplished with a three - speedautomatic , the Mach 1 taking advantage of the 428 ’s surpassing 440 Sudanese pound / animal foot of torsion .
Not wholly impressed , the cartridge holder quetch that the " nitty-gritty is far light of its component " and performance did n’t match the car ’s unabashedly aggressive demeanor . Gripes away , they grade this Mustang the " tough one yet . "
Available with or without Ram - Air , the Cobra Jet was one of five Mach 1 engines on the extract sheet . pick out Ram - Air , and a " shaker " hood scoop replaced the accustomed imitation hatchway . Base engine was Ford ’s " zesty " 351 - cid V-8 , with two- or four - barrelcarburetion , and in between : a 390 - cid engine . All but the 351 displayed quad - tipped double exhausts . Big - blocks come with a four - speed or available SelectShift Cruise - type O - Matic . Oddly , a tach price extra .
On the next page , see more about how the interior and exterior of the Mach 1 was fashioned and see what the Mustang Grande bring to the table .
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Though they were point at different market , the 1969 Ford Mustang Grande and Mach 1 each had options that set them apart from the everyday Mustang .
On the outside of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 , the long fastback visibility cast past tiny swing - out quarter windows , ending with a gracefully curved entire spoiler . Dual reflective banding dress the spoiler and quarter - panel prolongation ; two - flavor dismantle adorned bodysides .
Other differences from the garden - variety SportsRoof fastback include a extra grillwork , black honeycomb buttocks applique , and a racy dome airscoop atop the lens hood ’s matt - black center department . Neither fastback retain Mustang ’s former pillar - bestride air extractor .
Every Mach 1 carry GT - style equipment include E70 Wide - Oval belted whitewalls on styled chrome wheel , competition springs and shocks , and flying - filling gaseous state cap . hie mirror faced both the driver and passenger . High - back buckets were trim in vinyl , and the driver handled a three - mouth wood - rimmed direction wheel . Teak woodtone decorated both the sprint and the room access panels . gloomy - gloss hood / cowl paint eased eyestrain when the exit take knotty , and pin - type latches held down the hood .
The Ford Mustang Grande was a Mustang of far unlike hue , aimed at another fair game . Focused more on luxurious ride than hot motion , the Grande could have any Mustang engine , part with the 200- or 250 - cid six , on up through any of half a twelve V-8s ( all the way to the Cobra Jet ) .
beautify by narrow two - feeling stripes , racing mirrors , and wire - style bike blanket , Grandes had a manual three - speed or optional SelectShift , with thymine - bar shifter lever . sinister and blank vinyl roofs were available . rider wassail in crumple vinyl and hopsack textile bucket seats , while vinyl - trimmed door panel wear thin teakwood - toned accent appliques . Wood - tone also spotlight the dashboard . More than twice the common amount of detachment helped douse up noise and trembling .
A Mach 1 sell for $ 3139 , while $ 2866 bought a six - piston chamber Grande – this at a metre when the base Mustang went for $ 2635 . Ford advertizement promoted the fact that a modified Mach 1 hold 295 USAC land amphetamine disc , achieved on the salinity flats of Bonneville .
Despite the popularity of the Mach 1 and Grande , full Mustang yield ( not include Boss versions ) slumped to 299,870 for 1969 , down from 317,404 the year before and close to twice that total in 1966 . Yet without the additional selection , the yr might have stop at an even lower stage .
Though the Mach 1 and Grande nameplate lasted through the former 1970s , they had a surd clock time capturing as many customer as in their opening season . However , this was due more to the changing market place than to any deficiencies in the railway car themselves , for these are prime examples of what Detroit could accomplish when its imaginativeness was give complimentary rein .
understand elaborate specifications for the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and Grande on the next page .
1969 Ford Mustang Grande & Mach 1 Specifications
Despite its promise , a economic crisis in sales of the 1969 Ford Mustang Grande and Mach 1 betoken a shimmy in the car - buying market .
Specifications
Engine : Grande : ohv 1 - 6,200 Criminal Investigation Command ( 3.68 x 3.13 ) , 115 bhp ; 250 Criminal Investigation Command ( 3.68 x 3.91 ) , 155 bhp ; ohv V-8 , 302 cid ( 4.00 x 3.00 ) 220 bhp ; 351 Criminal Investigation Command ( 4.00 x 3.50 ) , 250/290 bhp ; 390 Criminal Investigation Command ( 4.05 x 3.78 ) , 320 bhp
Mach 1 : ohv V-8 , 351 cid , 250/290 bhp ; 390 cid , 320 bhp ; 428 Criminal Investigation Command ( 4.13 x 3.98 ) , 335 bhp
( A small number of Mach 1 Mustangs were special - regularise with a 427 - cid engine . )
Transmission:3 - speed manual ; 4 - speed manual and 3 - upper SelectShift Cruise - O - Matic optional
suspension system front : upper arms , prance - stabilize lower arms , whorl springs , inter-group communication - case stabiliser
Suspension ass : live - axle , varying - rate leaf springs
Brakes : front / rearward drums ( front disk optional )
Wheelbase ( in.):108.0
Weight ( lbs.):2,873 - 3,175
Top fastness ( mph):Mach 1 : 115
0 - 60 miles per hour ( sec):Grande V8 - 351 : 8.0 Mach 1 V8 - 428 : 5.5 - 5.7
