This Mustang Mach 1 is part of the latest version equipped with a supercharged engine, we have here the rarest model equipped with the huge Cobra Jet 429Ci V8 of 375 HP (on paper....). A sporty version of the Mustang, the Mach 1 is one of the most sought-after muscle cars today.
The car was built in Dearborn on January 7, 1971 and sold new on January 26. It would have been imported in Switzerland in the early 80's, then owned by 2 or 3 owners, the last one having owned it for 15 years.
The current owner, having bought it as a vehicle in need of restoration, now wishes to part with it after having completed all the restoration work.
36,498 two-door Mach 1s were built in 1971, and only 1,371 with the 429 CJ Ram Air engine.
This is an enthusiast's car for an enthusiast, its condition is amazing and its restoration work was done without counting the cost, with passion, during 10 consecutive years by the seller.
Appraised as a veteran vehicle in 2017, this one is ready to go through the appraisal again without any worries.
Not much to say about the car's interior and exterior condition, except that it is perfect. The bodywork has a recent paint job with no cracks, there are no pronounced scratches either. The original exterior colour code has been respected when repainting the vehicle. The interior has been completely redone in black, the original colour being brown.
The interior has been completely redone and is in perfect condition, whether it be the leather seats, the door panels or even the dashboard.
Mechanically, the car runs quite regularly, everything works properly.
Concerning the engine, it is not original, it comes from another Mustang that the seller of the car owned the day of its purchase.
Concerning the chassis and the underside of the car, the pictures speak for themselves, no trace of rust, everything is almost new.
The name "Mach 1" was first used by Ford in 1959 for a concept airborne flying car. In 1966, Ford reused the name for a futuristic sports car concept, the Mustang Mach 1, which was shown at the 1967 Detroit Auto Show. This car then went into production in 1969, with a 351 engine and reflective side stripes. The 1969 Mustang Mach 1 with a 428 Cobra Jet V-8 engine is considered by many enthusiasts to be the first true Mustang muscle car.
In 1970, the Mustang was updated with a new 351 Cleveland V-8 engine and the GT version was discontinued due to the popularity of the Mach 1. In 1971, the Mustang underwent a major refresh with a lengthened nose and wider body. The Mach 1 became Ford's flagship model with its optional 429 Cobra Jet engine.
In 1972 and 1973, the Mustang underwent minor changes due to emissions and fuel economy regulations, and the convertible model was dropped. The oil embargo and gasoline shortages also affected the world of automotive performance, forcing most Americans to abandon Muscle-Cars. This led to the end of production of the Mustang Mach 1 in 1973.
The Mach 1 also inspired several other Mustang models in the following decades, including 2003 and 2021.
The Mustang Mach 1 has remained an icon of American car culture.
In terms of its reputation across the Atlantic, the Mustang became the best known American car to the general public thanks to the efforts of Henry Chemin, the president of Ford France, who contributed to its notoriety by entering it in events such as the Monte Carlo Rally, driven by Johnny Hallyday, and by having it appear in numerous French films, including Claude Lelouch's "Un homme et une femme" and Jean Giraud's "Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez". The Mustang has appeared in many other French films and has become famous among all Europeans, even those who are not interested in cars.