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Lloyd Waldron23 Nov 2013
REVIEW

Ford Mustang Mach 1 1969: Retro Road Test

There's never a dull moment driving a classic American muscle car

Ford Mustang Mach 1 1969
Retro Road Test

What we liked:
>> Sense of occasion behind the wheel
>> Vocal V8 performance
>> Attention-grabbing looks

Not so much:
>> Unfamiliar left-hook steering
>> Floaty around corners
>> Can bite if not handled with respect

It’s Friday afternoon and I receive a phone call from a close family friend asking me to drive his Mustang as a wedding car. Leaping at the chance, and before he has time to rethink or renege, I accept.

Honestly, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get behind the wheel of this 1969 Mach 1 Ford Mustang ever since a “nut and bolt” restoration was completed a year ago.

But upon arrival at owner Graham's house, it becomes worryingly apparent I’m in uncharted territory. The rebuilt car remains left-hand drive and although I’ve driven on the wrong side previously, it was a while ago when I was touring the US and everyone drove the same way.

So I agree to let Graham ride shotgun during a familiarity lap around his housing estate, So he can be confident I won’t wander into oncoming traffic.

All at once I’m introduced to many characteristics typical of a car this age, like preparing for a corner well in advance.

‘Turn in’ especially leaves me with an unsettling feeling, as the suspension lurches and front tyres squeal, even at low speeds.
Soon I’m out on the open road, on my own, trying to convert miles per hour on the speedo to kilometres to ensure I don’t get a speeding ticket.

Pulling up at traffic lights gives me the opportunity to practise smooth take-offs, using the old ‘heel and toe’ method. The parking brake is actuated by a pedal on the floor and released by a hand lever under the steering wheel, so it’s completely useless for handbrake starts.

Here I discover there’s a very fine line between stalling and laying rubber. Although I don’t stall taking off I quickly discover varied levels of wheel spin, which seem impossible to ease out of with the throttle alone.

It seems the only way to stop the spinning is to grab another gear, which is not an issue due to the smooth-shifting nature of the drag-spec Tremec TKO five-speed manual transmission.

The positive feeling is enhanced by a reasonably light hydraulic clutch and decent length in the gear stick, and I can’t wish for a better ‘box to learn the art of right hand shifting.

Under the Mustang’s long snout lies a 351 Windsor V8 fitted with larger Cleveland heads and a lumpy cam, and it pulls effortlessly above 1500rpm. Giving it a bit more right boot gets revs above 3500rpm, turning this rough and tumble fastback into a veritable freight train.

During casual driving I never require fifth gear as long as revs stay above 1100rpm, as the torque easily holds fourth at low speeds and requires little encouragement to return to higher speeds.

Something else I notice at traffic lights (while I have a moment to relax a bit) is the attention this car is attracting. People at pedestrian crossings stop to snap shots on their smart phones and drivers point the Mach 1 out to their passengers.

The feelings I experience while driving this car range across the entire emotional spectrum. From joy when the engine rumbles and I’m pushed back into the seat, to fear when I apply the brakes, hoping it will stop in time.

To be honest, it’s a bit wearing and after an hour or more behind the wheel I feel mentally and physically tired, not helped by the heavy, unassisted steering when it comes time to park the car.

Arriving to pick up the bride, I quickly learn it’s best to pull up well away from other cars as the doors are massively long and easily exceed most allotted car park spaces when trying to squeeze out.

After contemplating the back seat we decide the dress and bridal bouquet are best suited to the front passenger seat. So the beautiful Ruth rides shotgun, which is the only way to experience a Mustang.

Now comes the moment where I stall. Before heading off I was told the power assisted brakes cease to function when the engine stops running, so if I stalled, I’d probably roll... backwards if I was on a hill.

While the bride’s car normally leads the way in a motorcade, we aren’t parked in that configuration and the exit is via a very steep driveway. So to let me past, another member of our convey stops at the top of the driveway. Only there isn’t enough room for me to squeeze past, causing us both to come to a stop.

With the traffic clear I go for it, only to unceremoniously smoke the rear tyres, launch the car over the top of the crest, throwing us both backward... then stalling at the top, throwing us forward.

I turn sheepishly towards the bride, who has a strange look of both surprise and disbelief on her face. Quickly, I tell her “Marriage isn’t all smooth sailing, but I promise the trip will be from here out anyway...” and we burst out laughing.

Fortunately, the next few kilometres to the wedding venue are uneventful and the wedding goes off without a hitch.

While the formalities and photos are taking place I return to depart in the Mustang, only to discover several tourists posing for photos in front. The noise from the remote central locking doesn’t deter them, so I jump in and leave.

Back at my friend’s place, I switch off the ignition and the engine lingers for a few seconds while it uses the remaining fuel in the carbie... or possibly runs on.

I smile, thinking maybe it doesn’t want to stop and for a split second a sad feeling creeps in because I know my test drive is over.

So many things about this Mustang go against the grain. It could hardly be called sporting with the suspension not really geared for comfort or handling. Despite the lusty V8 it isn’t really a performance car; rather it’s an emotional rollercoaster.

I experienced so much joy, fear, envy and satisfaction when driving it that I quickly became attached to it. While I couldn’t drive it every day, if I owned it I’d want to, or regret not taking it out.

That said, a car like this needs some skill and special treatment, and will show up inexperience. But any faults or foibles add to the sense of occasion and I’d be willing to learn the necessary skills just to enjoy the soundtrack...


SPECIAL IMPORT
Graham, the Victorian owner of this 1969 Mustang Mach 1 is a true enthusiast. He found and imported the desirable, two-door fastback model three years ago, and in the time it took to get the car packed into a shipping container had sourced most of the components required to restore it.

Being a traditionalist at heart, he sought out as many genuine components as possible. He even removed an aftermarket EFI system that came with the engine in favour of a more authentic Edelbrock Thunder 650 cfm four-barrel carburettor.

While wanting to maintain the original appearance of the classic American muscle car, graham wasn’t averse to improving some of the mechanical parts. As a result the car is packed with mods, including a period-correct Windsor 351 block fitted with 302 Cleveland heads (in the so-called Boss or Clevor configuration).

Then there’s the Tremec five-speed gearbox (TKO600 Road Race) with a custom bell housing which allowed for a concentric hydraulic clutch actuator/thrust bearing.

The original recirculating ball steering box and drag links were replaced by a Flaming River rack and pinion steering setup, and the front suspension modified with a ‘Shelby Drop’ configuration and larger front and rear bars. Rear springs were replaced with five leaf ‘mid-eye’ type.

The body also came in for some special treatment, fixing up some of the uneven panel gaps that came straight from the factory. The body was stripped and placed on a rotisserie, where welds were broken and refinished and dents levelled. After sandblasting the paint off, the panels were hand beaten and finished to a standard far higher than that achieved in 1969.

With all the work that’s gone into it, a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang of this standard could reasonably fetch somewhere around the high-$50,000 mark if it was ever offered for sale.

Thanks to tarmactoys.com.au for this article.

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Written byLloyd Waldron
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