The Mustang Mach 1

As the horsepower race was in full swing Ford rolled out the first Mustang Mach 1 in 1969. Although the Mustang Mach 1 was only available with a V-8 engine it is surprising to note that really the Mach 1 package was about interior options too. The 351 2v was the lowest horsepower of the engines that were available all the way up to the ground pounding 428 Cobra Jet with the Shaker hood scoop option.

The cars that weren't lucky enough to get shaker got a non functional fiberglass hood scoop with built in turn signals. The center of the hood and cowl also were low gloss black. All the hoods also had racing type hood pins with cables that looped down to the grill, right? Well not exactly, while the hood pins were standard equipment they were one of the few "delete" options. In other words if you didn't want them on a special order you could request they be not included. So, if your judging a Mach 1 to be fake by the lack of hood pins, better check the door tag!

The Interior of the Mach 1 had a special package that included high back bucket seats with "Comfortweave" material. It is of note that for many years the "Comfortweave" was not available even in reproduction seat covers. Only in the past few years has a manufacturer come out with a material that MCA will accept as original type. Also, the bane of many restoration shops was the rim blow steering wheel. Even now the steering wheel itself is not being reproduced.

However there are a few companies across the USA that do repair them. Most do a wonderful job but hold on to your wallets because it gets really expensive! The rim blow switch and the center pads are generally available although special order items most of the time. Another item that appeared in the Mach 1 Mustang in 1969 was the clock on the dash right in front of the passenger. Currently those dash panels are not available either but I'm glad to say that the clocks can be repaired/replaced at a reasonable cost. The interior trade mark of the Mach 1 Mustang was the very different carpeting.

The carpeting included rubber foot pads in every passenger position. The carpet many times had foot pads in a different color than the carpet. Like black with red or in some cases black with black. Even when you had the carpet that was black with black the knap of the was different too. It was thicker and more plush.

The 1969 Mustang Mach 1 also had the "handling package" as standard equipment. The styled steel wheels were chrome "12 Hole" GT wheels but the center caps didn't have the trade mark GT symbol.

Please let us know how we can help you with your classic Mustang, contact us at http://www.superiormustangparts.com or call us at 888-697-8264.

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1971 Mustang - The First Year of the "Big" Mustang

A 1971 Mustang was my first Mustang and frankly the gateway to my life long obsession with the car. Certainly a bigger car but surprising to most people only one inch longer in wheelbase than the 1970 Mustang. Gone now are the Shelbys and the 428 engine but for one last year the meaner and faster 351 and 429 Boss ruled the pavement. In 1971 Mustang still had the Sportsroof, Coupe, Convertible, Mach 1, Grande and Boss versions.

The 1971 and 1972 Mustangs are truly the hardest for the average person to tell apart for the first time ever the front grill did not change. The only at a glance way to tell the difference in the standard models is the lettering on the rear trunk lid. In 1971 the word Mustang is spelled out in block letter across the trunk lid and the 1972 models have a script Mustang above the right tail light. For the Sprotsroof models that had the black tape across the trunk the word Mustang was spelled out in block letters. An interesting change from the 1970 Mustang to the 1971 Mustang is the hood. For the first time the hood extends clear to the windshield which makes for the longest hood ever on a Mustang.

For the first time the Mach 1 sports interior was available as a separate option from the performance upgrades. So you could get a regular 1971 Sportsroof Mustang with a Mach 1 interior. A well thought out upgrade for 1971 was the ram air system. While the Mustang shaker hoods had gone the optional ram air systems were effect and let's face it very cool.

The standard engine for 1971 still remained the 6 cylinder, however the displacement now was 250ci and was available with either a 3 speed transmission or Crusie-O-Matic automatic transmission. The large body styled continued on till 1973. I have found in talking to people that you either love or hate the "big" cars. I have to fall on the side of love.

In order to keep your mustang up to date you should always invest in the best Mustang Parts. Learn more about mustang parts at superiormustangparts.com

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1970 Mustang, the Last of the Classic Pony Car?

1970 rolled around and Ford remained the leader in the pony car revolution. With Camaro comfortably in the rear view mirror little was done to change the 1970 Mustang. It was a very successful year at the race track for Mustang winning the Trans Am series with the likes of Parnelli Jones at the wheel of the Boss 302 Mustang. It is interesting to note that 1970 also brought the last year of production of the "classic" Shelby Mustang and even those were 1969 Mustangs with minor changes from 69 and updated VIN numbers.

At a glance the easiest way to tell the difference between a 1969 Mustang and a 1970 Mustang is the ever changing grill. The 4 headlight system from 1969 is now gone replaced by single headlights place on the outside and flanked by simulated air scoops. The protruding 3 lense tail lights, they were replaced by a similar 3 lense set up but were now inset into the tail panel. Also gone was the simulated air intakes behind the doors.

Thankfully there still remained a wide choice of power trains on the 1970 Mustang. Amazingly the 6 cylinder engine was still the standard offering up 155 Horse power. For those not so faint of heart the 429 Boss engine was also available rated at 375 horse power which most Mustang enthusiast will agree was grossly under rated to satisfy government regulation at the time. An interesting note about the Boss 429 is that the automatic Transmission was not available in the standard boss bust was available in the Boss 429 with the Drag pack option.

In 1970 more than ever to that point Mustang reached out to the Luxury crowd with the Grande model. Offering 55 pounds of special insulation for a quieter ride and special high back bucket seats with cloth hound's-tooth insets.

Was this the last year for the true classic Mustang pony car? Most will agree that is was, but don't sell short the awesome models to come.

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Gone in 60 Seconds - The Eleanor Mustang Exposed

The Eleanor Mustang was made famous from the movie gone in 60 seconds starring Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie. In the movie, it was the last car to be stolen due to its history with Memphis Raines (Nicholas Cage) a notorious car thief who doesn't have the best of luck when it comes to stealing Eleanor.

The car itself was originally made special in 1967 by Carroll Shelby, an international motor sports hall of famer. Carroll Shelby was famous for turning a good car into a great car with his knowledge and expertise. Hence the name '1967 GT500 Shelby Mustang'.

In 1967 Carroll Shelby took 2048 mustang fastbacks from the ford motor company and turned them into one of the most sort after vehicles in the world. The GT500 Shelby Mustang which housed a huge 428 cubic inch ford big block V8 and generated a top speed of 140mph. When sold new in 1967 the GT500 Shelby Mustang sold for a measly $4200.

Now days if you want an Eleanor of your own you may expect to pay more than $200,000.00 dollars for one of the most sort after muscle cars in the modern automotive world. But unfortunately you won't be buying an original. '1967 GT500 Shelby Mustang' The Eleanor Starts out as a standard 1967 mustang fastback and then under goes the transformation into what is know today as a '1967 Eleanor GT500 Shelby Mustang'.

Owning a '1967 Eleanor GT500 Shelby Mustang' is not easy. If you are amongst the lucky few, who are able to own one of these prized possessions, you must be prepared to be treated as a movie star. You may also be invited to many special events so she can pose for many people who will be excited to see her. Just remember she will create attention where ever she goes so you better get used to it.

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