Other Interior Features Include Red Carpets

Other Interior Features Include Red Carpets

This 1969 Ford Mustang Mach I 428 Cobra Jet was built on January 8, 1969 and sold new by Elgin Motors of Toronto, Ontario. Reportedly registered in the province since new, this example shows 48k miles and was acquired by the selling dealer about a month ago. The car was repainted in Candyapple Red under previous ownership, and the interior is trimmed in red knit vinyl. Power is from a 428ci Ram Air V8 linked to a 3.25:1 Traction-Lok rear end through a close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission. Options include a Sport Deck rear seat, Philco AM radio, and power front disc brakes. A new water pump and radiator were reportedly installed within the last three years. This Mach 1 is offered with an Elite Marti Report, a copy of its original build sheet, and clean Ontario registration. The car is said to have been repainted in its original Candyapple Red (2008-A) approximately 25 years ago.

Exterior features include black and gold stripes, 鈥淢ach 1鈥?graphics, front and rear spoilers, and a factory-optioned matte black hood. The seller reports that a handful of dents will be removed for the new owner. Silver steel wheels feature matching hubcaps and wear BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. Stopping power is provided by factory-equipped power front disc brakes and rear drums. High-backed bucket seats are trimmed in red knit vinyl upholstery. Other interior features include red carpets, woodgrain dash panels and center console, and a Sport Deck rear seat. A Philco AM radio and passenger-side dash-mounted clock are equipped. Photos of a crack in the dashboard are available in the gallery below. The 5-digit odometer shows 48k miles, 300 of which were added by the seller. The 428ci Cobra Jet V8 is paired with a 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission and is said to retain its factory Ram Air system, emissions equipment, stamps, and decals. A new water pump and radiator were reportedly installed within the last three years, while other work carried under previous ownership reportedly included replacement of the exhaust and ignition coil. The seller states that the transmission needs to be resealed and the shifter bushings could use replacement. Seepage is noted from the front timing cover and oil pan gasket, as is an occasional drip from the Traction-Lok rear differential. Corrosion is present near the fronts of the frame rails. The Elite Marti report shows that this car was completed on January 8, 1969, and lists original delivery at Elgin Motors of Toronto. A laminated copy of the original build sheet and factory literature are included in the sale.

Or rather, it stopped NOT working. That is, my rim-touch Ford wheel developed a short in it, so that the horn would blow constantly if the wheel was connected to the horns electrically. For a while I just kept the dual horns disconnected underneath the hood. But a horn is an essential car safety feature, so I eventually had to do more. The aftermarket wheel was smaller and maybe lighter than the factory wheel. And more comfortable with the cushioning. The smaller size also gave me more elbow room inside the car. And the new wheel was more electrically reliable than the original, with the simpler switch and wiring. Getting back to that original white interior, it looked something like the image at right. But not nearly so nice. No, my own white interior looked awfully scruffy when I bought the car. And no amount of cleaning would make it look good again. The original white four passenger interior was present from Crossroads through Slip, sliding away in the driver logs.

I had everything but the front seats and dash and door panels removed for much of the time wrote about in Too close for comfort-- due to welding in the roll cage, and other matters as mentioned in the story. After my best friend wrecked his 1971 Boss 351 Mustang (Crossroads covers that), I ended up getting to salvage several items from it for my own car. A couple of these included his space-saver spare tire and inflation cylinder from Ford, plus his compact scissors jack (see right for their appearance and relative size). These things would help me tremendously space-wise after I expanded my car's passenger volume at the expense of trunk space. Shadow's original 351 Windsor with four barrel carburetor looked something like that to left-- only dirtier. And missing some items like the factory fan shroud (I'd end up making a custom replacement myself). Although I could be mixed up about it after 30 years, I think one way you could tell 351 Windsors from 351 Clevelands was the main top radiator hose, and how it entered the motor. With Windsors the hose went in sort of horizontally, while with Clevelands it went in vertically. If I'm wrong, then it's vice versa. 30 years is a long time! Shadow's engine compartment likely looked very similar to this up through the time of Slip, sliding away-- except for a fan shroud custom built from sheet metal.R. Mooneyham. All rights reserved.