The Speed of Sound
By Dan Burger

In 1969 there was no Stealth Bomber. There was no landspeed record that eclipsed the speed of sound. But there was the equivalent of a sonic boom that caused heads to turn in the direction of Ford dealerships where the new Mach 1 Mustang was waiting. With the startling presence of a fighter jet on a strafing mission, the Mach 1 beckoned musclecar enthusiasts to climb into its cockpit for a ride.

Although the original Mustang is proudly hailed as America's first "pony car," Ford's foray into serious muscle was decidedly more Thoroughbred than pony. The handsome and aggressive Mach 1 took its styling cues from the in-your-face Shelby Cobras. In showroom-stock form, this car displayed a fiery attitude. It flat out stated, with its black-leather-jacket looks alone, it was the big dog in the neighborhood. Leave the ponies in the barn, boys, it's time to ride the big horses.

For as long as there has been street racing (Was there ever a time when that didn't exist?), the priorities have always been go like hell, and then - if you had any money left - look good doing it. Most of the time it took some modification on a factory stock machine to accomplish these goals. The Mach 1 had the guts and the street-tough appearance to get respect the moment you drove it off the lot.

Now that almost 30 years have passed under its floorboards, many of those rare fire-breathers have been broken beyond repair and gone on to their eternal resting grounds. Of the survivors, the Cobra Jets and the Boss versions have been mainly relegated to the show circuit and are seldom seen on the streets.

Where does that leave the Mach 1 today? Its street badge of courage is being worn by the guys who keep 'em to drive 'em. They believe this car deserves to been seen and heard. It doesn't hurt that this cool classic is a great value. If you still want to ride with the posse, get a good-looking horse with a 351 Windsor engine. A four-speed would give you spurs, but an automatic might make you more comfortable in the saddle.

The 351 Windsor was considered the standard engine for Mach 1 Mustangs and you'll find parts accessibility - factory stock, aftermarket and high performance - and affordability are very good. If you're the type who looks at how much driving fun you can get for the money, see what 10 big ones will buy in the Mach 1 market as opposed to venturing into the Boss Mustangs (not likely to be a driver) or the new and ubiquitous 4.6-liter Mustang.

Don't think that any other engine besides the 351 Windsor is a mistake. Norm Demers of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been having a blast driving his 1970 Mach 1 with the 351 Cleveland engine, the C6 automatic transmission, and a 3.50:1 rear end. His car is a combination of show and go. It's fully capable in both realms.

Last year he and his wife added 2,400 miles to the odometer during one round-trip adventure to Oklahoma for the Grand National Mustang Show. While he was there, he picked up a trophy in a "drivers only" class. He said the drivetrain combination in his Mach 1 makes it a great touring vehicle. On the open road, Demers found the tach showing 3200 rpm while the Mustang comfortably cruised at 70 mph. He has also been on the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, with opportunities to take the Mach to a slightly higher cruising altitude.

Since acquiring the car four years ago, he's completed the interior restoration and detailed the engine. Additional improvements he has in mind include a new set of rear springs to replace the tired originals, and a solid-state distributor that would eliminate the hassle of messing with points.

Because this car is on the road a lot, Demers notices how quickly the fuel-gauge needle drops toward E. His Cleveland engine is equipped with a non-stock Holley four-barrel carb sitting atop a high-performance Weiand manifold. He's considering smaller jets on the carb to increase his fuel mileage beyond the 10-mph range. The 11:1 compression ratio dictates the use of 93-octane fuel. Although the engine restoration was completed before he bought the car, Demers is happy with the power and driveability of his Mustang. The deep-throated resonating rumble of his V-8 is music to his ears.

Wes Alford, and assistant national head judge for the Mustang Club of America (MCA), is fond of the 351 Windsor-engined Mach 1 Mustangs. He noted that parts are affordable and readily available from FoMoCo sources as well as numerous aftermarket suppliers.

In his opinion, these cars make great drivers. They run on super unleaded fuel without hesitation - something that gives the big-block cars a problem. He described the Windsor as a smooth and durable engine - a punched-out version of the venerable 289. With either the 3.50:1 or the 3.00:1 gears, these cars will travel well on extended freeway trips.

The 1969 models have a four-barrel carb, while the 1970 Windsors were equipped with a two-barrel set-up, after the 351 Cleveland engine came on-line with the four-barrel option. If authenticity is not crucial to an owner, a swap of carbs and intake manifolds on the Windsor engines is an easy transition. A plethora of internal engine parts are also available to make a Mach 1 as street-mean or highway-friendly as an owner chooses. For instance, gearing and carburetion can easily be altered to suit the personal driving requirements desired. However, from the perspective of a MCA judge, Alford's preference runs toward cars restored to original condition. He restored "Thoroughbred" cars - MCA terminology for cars that have been restored with all-original factory-dated parts. That's not to say he doesn't enjoy the sights and sounds and sensations of an open-road romp. "I drive my 1969 GT convertible (Alford calls it basically a convertible Mach 1) from Tennessee (his home) to Florida each year," Alford said. The car is powered by a 351 Windsor and Alford keeps the speedo on 75 mph most of the time during the seven-hour trip. If you want a car that you can get in and travel, you probably don't want a big block.

"I can't think of anything you can't get for these cars," Alford said in regard to reproduction parts. "Ten years ago, you were outa luck" (if you couldn't find or didn't want to pay the price of NOS parts).

Some manufacturers of repro parts get MCA approval that indicates a degree of quality similar to or equal to original parts. This endorsement of sorts can help restorers get the best value for the money spent on cosmetic trip parts and accessories. The MCA does not provide club approval for manufacturers of mechanical parts.

When it comes to trim parts and accessories, Brent Money said the Mach 1 restorer is in pretty good shape. Money is the general manager of Larry's Thunderbird and Mustang Parts in Fullerton, California. His company stocks an array of reproduction Mach 1 items including interior kits, rubber products, emblems, trim, and body panels.

Because demand for 1965-66 Mustang items if greater, he said prices are lower. For instance, the deluxe inside door panels for a Mach 1 are $325 a pair, while the Pony interior door panels for a 1965-66 are only $120 a pair.

Mach 1 door panels often need replacement due to rust in the lower sections. Larry's catalog lists door skins for $180. Need to reupholster the seats? Reproductions of the original "comfort weave" seat cover material - in either black, white, blue or red - are currently $320. The emblems that are prominently displayed on the sides of the sport roof are $55.

Scott Becht of El Cajon, California, uses his Mach 1 as an everyday driver. It's the third Mach 1 he has owned and driven. Each one has had a 351 Windsor, an engine Becht claims is essentially bullet-proof. The biggest problem he's had in two years and 12,000 miles on his latest Mach 1 is a clogged fuel filter. In addition to the rigors of providing daily transportation in an urban area (San Diego), Becht unwinds his Mustang on an annual 900-mile round-trip cruise to Lake Tahoe.

Like most owners, Becht frets about detailing his car to eliminate such things as faded emblems, incorrect hoses, worn areas of the upholstery and slightly pitted chrome. It's an ongoing process and it may take years. He does what he can, when he can afford it. He had the car painted a non-stock red, because he liked it better than the Indian Fire (dark, blood red) that Ford selected in 1969. Although the wheels look like the stock 14-inchers, they were modified to accept 15-inch tires. He said as the miles continue to build, he'll continue to make upgrades. In the meantime, he has a great-looking driver. People come up to him each day and say: "Cool set of wheels, man."

The standard engine for the Mach 1 is a 351-cubic-inch Windsor V-8. There are plenty of standard parts and performance upgrades for this powerplant.

The 428 Cobra Jet engine was the big dog for Mustangs. It adds a premium to the price of a Mach 1, but is the choice of high-performance enthusiasts.

The Mustang Club of America has a membership of approximately 10,000. Dues are $30 per year and that includes a monthly 60-page magazine. The MCA can be contacted at 3588 Highway 138, Suite 365, Stockbridge, GA 30281; telephone: 850-438-0626; their home page on the Internet is: www.mustang.org.