Photo: eBay seller semcom
This first-generation Mustang has been sitting outdoors for an extended period. This is all you need to know about this 1970 Ford project, as the owner has decided to let the car go and see if anyone out there is willing to give it a second chance.
Just like any other car sitting in a junkyard, it struggles with lots of issues, but considering how many parts still look to be available, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this Mustang finding a home fast. It all comes down to the price and what you’ll find when you check it out in person.
A car in this shape doesn’t typically qualify as a restoration candidate but rather as a donor, but my recommendation is to call the seller and ask for a digital walkaround video. This should help you figure out how many repairs it needs because turning it into a project – a father-son project, if you wish – could still be possible. Many cars in worse shape have already been restored, so maybe this Mustang can get this long-overdue treatment, too.
Photo: eBay seller semcom
The 1970 Mustang didn’t get significant updates, pretty much because the changes the car received in 1969 were so significant that further notable refinements weren’t necessary.
Ford ended the year with over 190,000 Mustangs rolling off the assembly lines, and the hardtop once again accounted for the lion’s share with 82,569 units. The fastback continued to be particularly popular, receiving 45,934 orders, with the Mach 1 claiming third place.
This was the second year for the Mach 1, and after making the GT redundant in 1969, it returned to account for over 40,900 orders.
The hardtop remained the most affordable version, which kind of explains why most people picked this body style. It started at $2,721, while the Mach 1 was significantly more expensive at $3,271. The base convertible was available from $3,025.
Photo: eBay seller semcom
The Mustang continued to be offered with a wide range of engines, pretty much because Ford wanted the car to tackle a range of customers as varied as possible. As a result, people who were considering a Mustang for a daily driver could get a 250 six rated at 155 horsepower, while buyers who wanted a small rocket on wheels could go as high as a 429 developing 375 horsepower.
Unsurprisingly, this massive engine upgrade came with a huge price increase, as the 429 could be installed on the Mustang for $1,208 more.
This engine allowed Ford to maintain its NASCAR appetite, and according to various sources, only 499 Mustangs fitted with this configuration ended up seeing the daylight.
Photo: eBay seller semcom
This particular Mustang has obviously seen better days, and the engine that was once under the hood is no longer relevant unless you want to restore it to day-one specifications. That wouldn’t make much sense, considering its shape, so throwing whatever engine you have around in there should be the most convenient solution.
The car suffers from obvious rust problems, and this isn’t a surprise. A pile of metal sitting outside for an extended period ends up struggling with severe corrosion, so you’d better call your metal guy and get him ready for quite a lot of work. New panels will obviously be required, but that’s why I recommended that you request a walkaround video before anything else.
The cabin doesn’t look better, but there are several big parts in there. The seller advertises “original components,” but I don’t think this Mustang can be considered a candidate for an all-original restoration project.
Photo: eBay seller semcom
One of the most intriguing tidbits on this Mustang is the odometer. If you get inside and check the odo, the number you’ll see on the clock is impressive. The odometer reads 21,909 miles, but it’s unclear if this is the actual mileage. I would specifically look into this because a low-mile Mustang, even abandoned in a junkyard, isn’t something you see every day.
As with every car suffering from such major issues, it all comes down to the selling price. It goes without saying that a Mustang in this condition can’t sell for high dollars, and the seller looks to be well aware of this.
They listed the car for auction, and what’s more, no reserve has been configured. This means you can get the car for only $1,899 if no one else joins the digital battle for this Mustang. If you want to get your hands on it without a fight, you can trigger the Buy It Now option and pay $2,495 to buy the Mustang.
The vehicle is parked in Commerce, Georgia, and you will also need transportation (so make sure you consider the additional costs), given the only thing you’ll find under the hood is a lot of fresh air. The car sells with a bill of sale, and no other papers are available.
