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
