The original Mach 1 was introduced in 1968 as a concept car with a hatched fastback, aggressive hood and side scoops and a unique paint scheme. In 1969, the Mach 1 was one of three new Mustang models that made it into production. It featured teh familiar fastback body with simulates side scoops high on the quarter panel, an aggressively raked air dam on the front and a spoiler on the rear, "comfortweave" leather seats and the now famous, "shaker hood scoop" mounted directly onto the carburetor and fitting through an opening in the hood.
Underneath, the Mach 1 offered a 250 hp 351 Windsor V-8 or a 335 hp 428 Cobra Jet mill. The Mach 1 and its stable mate, the Boss 302 Mustang, reenergized the fastback, tripling sales of the body style in 1969.
The Mach 1 for 1970 was clearly different, with its headlamps moved inside the Ferrari-style grille mouth. Gone were the quarter panel side scoops. A honeycomb tail panel gave the Mach 1 new depth. Flanking the tail panel were deeply pocketed three element tail lights. Ford's bean counters went to work on the '70 Mach1, deleting standard styled steel wheels and replacing them with sport wheel covers instead. Wide Oval firestones put the rubber to the road. Groovy Mach 1 graphics for 1970 included finned argent panels that ran from fender to quarter, protecting the paint and dressing up the body. Inside, the '70 Mach 1 was virtually the same as the '69, the exception being a locking steering column mandated by law.
The most significant change to the Mach 1 happened in 1971, when Ford added pounds and inches to the body. The all new '71 Mustang Sports Roof body was the sleekest ever despite its increased size. The platform was based more on the Fairlane/Torino/Cyclone than it was on the Mustang of 1967-70. Wheelbase grew by 1 inch to 109. Overall length grew several inches, and there was significant weight gain.
The '71 Mustang Mach 1 received its direction from the man Henry Ford II hired away from General Motors in 1968 - Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudson. Along with Knudson came a man that Mustang enthusiasts remember fondly - Larry Shinoda. The Knudson/Shinoda duo brought good things to the Ford table - the Boss 302 and 429 Mustangs of 1969 - 70, and a host of other performance and styling changes that made the Mustang sizzle again. Knudson was in large part responsible for approving '71 Mustangs' final design.
Increased Mach 1 size was a result of the trend toward larger engines and faster cars. The trend didn't last long, however. Insurance companies were unhappy and quite vocal about vehicle safety. Politicians embraced safety issues with a vengeance. Oil shortages loomed on the horizon. Ford Motor Company would soon pull out of motorsports. "Performance" was swiftly becoming a dirty word.
Performance for 1971 in the Mach 1 became a standard 302-2V V-8 backed by a three-speed stick. The standard Knitted Vinyl Sports Interior of 1970 gave way to the Mustang's standard interior in 1971. If you wanted the Sports Interior, you had to pay more to get it. The standard Mach 1 package for 1971 was little more than a p;int and tape package designed to visually excite, it didn't have mush substance, The most common Mach 1 power plant for 1971 was the 351C-4V engine yielding 285 hp. With the 351C-4V engine, the Mach 1 was a throaty high-performance Mustang, a well-balanced machine that has earned the respect of enthusiast.
As in 1970, the '71 Mach 1 was available with a wealth of options - full instrumentation, a console, a Competition suspension, a rear deck spoiler, power front disc brakes, SelectAire air conditioning, a Rim-Blow steering wheel, Magnum 500 wheels, intermittent wipers, tinted glass, and more. Axle options ranged from 2.75:1 to 4.11:1 with Traction Lock. Another little-known fact about the Drag Pack option for 1971 was the use of an 80-amp Autolite alternator.
The Mach 1 continued on through 1973 with only minimal changes. However, 1974 saw a significant change in body style and engine, with smaller cars and more fuel efficiency.
The much smaller Mustang II model, introduced in 1974 as a response to the nation's "energy crisis," was the weaker sibling to its older muscle car brothers. The 1974 Mach 1 featured a 2.8-liter V-6 with dual exhaust while the other Mustangs of the period carried 2.3-liter I-4s as the base engine. The Mustang II Mach 1 hatchback was a sporty compact that was light on its feet, nimble, and ready to take on a canyon road. Long labeled a rebodied Pinto, the redesigned
