Ernst Mach was a noted 19th-century physicist and philosopher and his surname influenced the naming of this model Mustang. Mach will be forever identified with speed. He’s quoted as saying “If our dreams were more regular, more connected, more stable, they would also have more practical importance for us”. Who doesn’t dream of owning a classic pony/muscle car! Well stop dreaming and start your bidding here on eBay. Right now there are 21 bidders and 152 dreamers…er watchers. The once gorgeous Candy Apple Red paint is now faded and scorched after being left outside to the elements since the owners passing. One old photo captures what was once his gleaming pride and joy and another showing various car show plaques when this beast prowled the roads of Virginia where it was originally sold.

The interior looks great with the faux teak trim and pleated vinyl, high backed, bucket seats. The dash pad is cracked though and will need attention. Tinted glass, PWR disc brakes and AM radio were also spec’d out. A Hurst t -shifter tugs at the 4-speed close-ratio tranny, which is connected to a 3.50 rear. All this is mentioned in the Marti Report.

I’m sure Ford engineers had high speeds in mind when they stuffed this 428 CJ engine between the needed reinforced shock towers. Rated at 335hp and 440 lb/ft of holy smokin’ PolyGlas torque. Those numbers were good for mid to high 13’s in the quarter-mile. I guess that’s why so many folks equipped traction bars. The “R” in the partial VIN denotes this as a ram-air inducted engine, though I believe they shared the same HP as the “Q” codes. Weird? The engine bay looks pretty tidy too, after a claimed 45k miles. The owner also says that it drives well and is “a very strong runner”.

Ford’s Sport Roof designation means sleek styling in profile and add in that menacing, blacked-out “shaker hood”( a year before the Mopar shakers) with slats/fender intakes and it looks like something that should be testing out at Edwards AFB, especially with its high desert, minimal rust patina. While the Magnum 500 wheels look so right, they weren’t an available option in 1969. I’d leave them though.

What would you do with this Mach 1? Restore it to crazy Concours standard or leave it as is to show, drive and enjoy like the original owner once did. I like it as is and wouldn’t touch a thing. Dream away.