The end of the sixties meant a new beginning for this revolutionary hardtop. The introduction of the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 meant a self-esteem booster for thousands of Michigan factory workers who were getting tired of mediocrity. The car had a sexy look to it, which perfectly complimented its 335-hp power output.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet was one of America’s most desired classic muscle cars of its time. It looked similar to other modern pony cars with a base matte-black hood, and air scoops on the sides and in the back. This Mustang was redesigned; the body length was increased by 3.8” in the front, and it gained approximately 140 pounds in net weight. The 1969 Ford Mustang became the mainstream, high-performance vehicle. The models were equipped with the standard 351-cid V8 engine, with an optional 428-cid Cobra Jet available for an extra price.

About sixty percent of the weight of the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was in the hood, but despite its lack of stable handling, the car’s appearance and raw power made it an instant classic American muscle car. The car had standard bucket seats, three-spoke wheels, a rim-blow horn, and a sporty interior trimmed with woodgrain. There were 3 tuning options available for new buyers. The first one cost $224, and came without Ram-Air. If you wanted Ram-Air, it would cost an extra $133, and would come with a fresh-air induction system. A new, louder shaker hood vibrated more with the engine, creating a sound desired by many that were looking for that classic American muscle car feel. This was the second tuning option; the third Drag Pack tuning option cost $155, and it included the 428 Super Cobra Jet Ram Air. Although the Drag Pack excluded air conditioning, it featured stronger connecting rods and a crankshaft that provided durability to the engine when it ran on high RPMs. There was also an engine oil cooler that lowered oil temperature by 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was praised for being “the best Mustang yet”, and it was called “the quickest ever”. No wonder – it was a unique blend of brute V8 power, shock absorbing valves, and efficient suspension geometry. It made a great transition from drag-circuit-only muscle cars, into street-frienly power monsters. Some key specs on this car include: 108” wheelbase, 3,600lbs weight, 1x4bbl fuel system, and 440 torque @ 3400 RPM.

It’s no surprise that the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 broke 295 USAC records for endurance and speed: although the hood scoop was primarily for aesthetic purposes more so than for purposes of functionality, it still ran 0-60mph in just 5.7seconds, and could go a quarter mile at 103mph in under 14 seconds.