Wade

Hey Maxum 96, I saw you over on VMF and you were very helpful in preventing me from going anywhere near that Mustang in Georgia! You may remember it, it is one of those images you wish you could unsee. It may be burned permanently in your cerebral cortex now. I had since narrowed my search strictly to the 1969 model year and just found one thanks to one of the members here. I haven't been posting lately since my search was concluded, but still lurking and gleaning information. I have to say that the internet has been very useful for folks to come together and help each other out in forums like this. Quite a difference since I was turning wrenches in my high school days.

Thanks for the advice. I will just stick to a certain criteria which is a good rust free driver, non-red(dark maroon would be OK), big block or M code car. Preferably a blue one. My wife and I both like this one, but he wants way too much money for it: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1511170393.html That is a good analogy "catbird seat". We have 3 cats and 2 dogs, The cats are extremely patient when hunting they can sit and wait for eternity while trying to catch their prey. I'll take a lesson from the cats :) Although one of them thinks he can hide behind a blade of grass and no one can see him!

I'm sure that is a real nice car that a wantahertzdonut has. He has put a lot of money and time with the upgrades. That would make a great daily driver with the 5 speed for better mpg's. I am pushing my budget up a bit for a big block car otherwise I think I would like to stay in the teens for a M code car. I appreciate the advice here you guys have already saved me a ton of money from not buying some cars that I may have otherwise bought. On that note :) there is another one I found here: http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/1497943594.html I like the factory shaker hood and being a factory big block car. I've emailed for details and have not heard back yet. But what would a period correct 428 engine cost? Do the engines have the VIN on them to show it is from that car? Or can any 1969 428 from a mach 1 be good enough to pass as original? Wade

Thanks for the advice on that one. I'm concerned about what is under the paint. if it does not sell I may look into having it inspected and if it is not any worse than what he is disclosing then I may offer $17k for it. By the time I pay for an inspection, shipping to Oregon and any other fees like title transfer fees etc... I will be in it at around $18 to 19k. I did see a good deal in So. Cal. on Craigslist a few days ago, it was sold soon after it was listed.

Oh yeah the other criteria my wife had was to get something that could be sold easily for at least what I paid for it. Doesn't want to have a loss if we need to sell it. I was thinking about the idea someone mentioned previously of getting a loan. The concept of paying on a loan instead of buying parts. If I did that it opens up a lot of options. One of which is this big block car here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Mustang-Mach1-S-Code-390-4v-V8_W0QQitemZ300377785965QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item45efe9466d It is a 390 but states it is a matching numbers car. One problem is that it is not original paint color and there are spots of paint bubbling. Is that car worth the 22k he's asking? I would also have to consider the total cost of purchase, another $1k for shipping, and the cost of paying someone to inspect it before I buy it. What would a good paint job cost? Assuming minimal body work required. Thanks! Wade

Well I just checked the guys feedback. I wouldn't buy from him unless I was local and could inspect the car. You're right I would guess might be worth $7k max just for an original 428 CJ car. But I just checked on period correct 428 engines and that alone will put this car way over budget considering additional costs of potentially rusted out floor pans etc... My wife is getting a bit nervous when I look at cars that need a lot of work. She prefers I get a running driving car that could be driven and restored in stages. And she said "no donor cars". So I'll keep looking :)

What would a car like this be worth: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mustang-428-CJ-1969-FORD-428-J-CJ-ENGINE-RAM-AIR-MUSTANG-ORG-OWNER_W0QQitemZ330387471036QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item4ceca0babc Anyone have any idea as to when good time to buy would be? Someone told me to wait until end of Jan or early Feb. because prices seem to be better during that time?

Thanks for the advice, the car in Richmond is at a "Mustang/Camaro" lot called Old Dominion. I usually ignore any being sold by a dealer and it seems I should in this case too. It doesn't surprise me. Any auto dealer is out to make a quick buck and they cover up a lot of problems. Unfortunately there are no 1969 mustangs for sale in Oregon on Ebay. I'll keep checking. I have found craigslook.com and hankshelper.com very useful!

Yes the April swap meet, I've never been. One of the things I liked about ebay motors is they say there is a buyers protection program with each purchase. I'll consider my options when the time comes to buy one. It might be worth a round trip flight out and then have it shipped. there are a few nice ones on ebay right now. I like the green s-code but it does not have the fold down rear seat. I thought all the mach 1's had a fold down rear seat?

Thanks for the advice, I think I could go up to 16 or 17k for a nice driver. I prefer a mach 1 351 m code or big block car with factory disc brakes, ps and ac. I'll take a look at the member mapper section, anyone near Richmond, Virginia?. I'd do likewise for someone else. Of course I'm not as knowledgeable yet but I can photograph a car in detail and get videos. Someone told me to wait until April and check out the Portland car show, I would have assumed that prices are higher at a car show?

LOL, "teeth on fire"!! What a mental image. Thanks for the advice, I can see bondo cracking away on that car. It is a good price and all the decent ones are out of my budget. I've been looking at ebays section on previously posted 1969 mustangs and most of them are not selling. Folks are asking too much on their reserve. And I here some folks say they are asking a certain amount based on what they see them on ebay for. What they don't see is that they are not selling at those ridiculously high prices. The ideal purchase would be a daily driver that I can work on and fix up over time.

I've found one! No longer looking, thanks to those who emailed me.

Hi group, I had been posting in regards to a mach 1 I was considering buying, thanks to the advice here I did not get it. But I have been having to look farther away to find 69 mach 1's. How can I protect myself when buying a car unseen, in another state from craigslist? I've most recently been looking at this one: http://differentdrum.org/mustang/midwest-car/index.htm He wants $9,000 for it. He says it is a daily driver, just passed state inspection, had new exhaust and a tune up done. But as the photos indicate there is a fair amount of rust. It is a M code car with factory AT, PS, PB. He did not know what rearend is in it or how to tell what it is supposed to have factory. It is the best priced daily driver I've seen so far. Is this a fair price and what are the steps if I want to buy it and have it shipped? This one looks very nice, it is on a car lot on the east coast and they are not open until Tuesday. So I'll call tomorrow for more details: http://differentdrum.org/mustang/eastcoast/index.htm Thanks for all the input so far! Wade

Why does it seem like any car worth looking at is thousands of miles away. I found this one here: http://richmond.craigslist.org/ctd/1502803653.html Looks like a nice car from the photos, don't know enough about it, will need to call the place when they're open tomorrow. It seems like a bit much if I also have to pay at least $1k for shipping. If someone buys a car at a distance, do you get an independent inspection performed?

thanks S code, my preference would be a 428 (way out of my price range), 2nd choice is 390 and third is 351. There was no email address with that ad so I tried calling and got a voicemail. I would like to get a few more details. it does seem to have just about every available option. where do I find the 69 S code registry? thanks!

I found this ad in Orange Co.: "Very Rare Ford Muscle Car Classic. 1969 Big Block Mustang 390 GT for restoration..Nicely Optioned this 1969 Classic Ford big block Mustang muscle car came equipmented with. Auto transmission Power Steering Power Disk brakes Air Conditioning,Floor Console,Factory Tilt Steering Wheel, Bucket Seats ,and Fold Down Rear Seat.This is a California SAN JOSE produced Mustang with Solid floors Frame rails and torque boxs,a great Classic Mustang Muscle car to restore. Interior is complete with all Seats Floor Console ,Dash aand Instruments. Has all glass including door and large Back glass.Is not running at this time comes with good 390 engine. with Title $9250.00 obo " No photos on the ad though. I keep hearing how rare the 390 cars are on each of their ads I read, but I'm finding a heck of a lot of 390 cars for sale. anyway, it looks as though this one has a lot of factory options with it. Any thoughts on this one? It says it comes with a 390 engine but does not say anything about the tranny or rear end. Which brings up another question, is it difficult to get a non running car shipped? how does someone go about paying for something and also making sure they get the goods? I've heard of people getting ripped off when trying to buy or sell cars that included shipping.

Thanks Sbarro! If you come across any 69 fastbacks in your area let me know. Wade

thanks for the advice, I've been taken for a ride in the past on deals. That's why I'm posting here to get some good advice. So add about $500 for a toploader on top of the 1k for the 9" and then I'm into it for an additional $1500 and these are not factory original. OK I'm starting to get the picture here. I really should be able to find a matching numbers mach 1 M code for about 13 to 15k that is a driving car. I know there are probably too many variables to list, but amount of needed work, such as rusted out areas, would play into the value as well. I really appreciate the advice here!

Hi Tom, Do you live close? I've been emailing this guy and here is what he has told me so far: "on the Marti Report is is a 351-4v Engine,Color I5 Lime gold with blackout hood#2041-a Black mach 1 seats, Suppose to have R-Track lock rear end 5 4 sp.manual trans. it is a 63C Mach 1 sportsroof" "It is the 8.8 rear end,and has an fmx auto trans.now.has power front disc brakes,power steering.was supposed to have tach and bumper guards." I just emailed again and asked him to email a copy of the Marti report. Thanks, Wade

OK I'm trying to get a handle on fair values, what do you guys think about these: http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/1470532705.html http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1494064008.html The Sacremento car has the complete original drivetrain that comes with it.

I'm with you on that point S code, I want a desirable car that would be easy to sell if I wanted to sell it and I also happen to like the Mach 1's. I'd prefer a BB car, but too much money for me at this time. There seems to be a lot of scams out there as I'm trolling through all the CL and classic autotrader ads. I'm glad I was told about searchtempest and the Craigslist reader, brilliant programs!

Well I just found this one: http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1064/Ford/post/1734711/1969-MACH-I-quot-S-quot-code.html 10k for a running S code car with the wrong engine in it. If it was local I'd take a look at it. How much is a matching number S code worth?

Thanks for the link to the tools. That is brilliant! and thanks for the links sidthing. That puts things in perspective a bit. That blue one appears to be in far better shape than the one I looked at for 14k yesterday. The blue one for 14k appears to be a pretty good deal. I have family and friends who live in Indy and there appears to be lot more in that area. I may need to make a trip there in a month or 2 to look at some cars and maybe have one shipped to me.

Thanks JTG, that is brilliant! Now lets see how much work I get done today. I just looked at the Boise one S Code, thanks for the tip. I'll keep looking for a factory mach 1 and I imagine if I wait long enough, something will surface. But that is a good price considering it is a very good straight body.

Thanks for the advice S code. I've been getting all buggy eyed staring at the computer monitor looking at craigslist. It's a lot of work going to each different city on CL and searching. I live near Eugene Oregon and would like to find a car I can go look at before buying, so I could potentially go as far south as Redding, CA for a day trip. If I head north, I would imagine Seattle would be as far I could go on a day trip. Spokane is about 8.5 hours of driving time from my house. I wish there was a computer program that would continuously search all the CL adds to find what I'm looking for. That way it will automatiacally keep searching 24/7 and then send me a message when it finds newly listed 1969 mustangs. Someone needs to create that.