Candy Apple Red: 1969 Ford Mustang 302

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Still using the Falcon platform, the Mustang was completely restyled for 1969. But it retained all the styling cues that defined the car less than five years earlier. Perhaps the most noticeable change was the use of four headlights now, with two inset in the front fenders and two within the extreme edges of the grille (not like running lights on some models before). This ’69 Mustang comes with a 302 V8 and looks good from 20 feet but has some rust in key places. From Gainesville, Florida, the seller has set a Buy It Now price of $7,799 here on eBay. Larry D has been keeping us busy with all the cars he’s been uncovering!

The 1969 Mustang would be 1.5 inches lower than before thanks in part to the windshield now being tilted further back. The car had a longer list of engine and transmission pairings, too, all the way up to the 429 big-block V8 which would impress the muscle car crowd. The 302 with a 2-barrel was the commonly ordered motor (220 hp), which is what can be found under the hood of the seller’s car. Despite the changes for ’69, Mustang sales continued to slide to just under 300,000 units, much of it due to the fact that just about everyone had a pony car offering by now. Still, it outsold its closest competitor, the Chevy Camaro, by more than 18,000 automobiles.

This Mustang looks to be wearing an older repaint, likely Candy Apple Red which was a factory color in 1969. It does have some chipping, cracking, scratches and bubbling, along with a broken hood hinge that prevents it from closing properly. However, the seller has a replacement hinge, and it will come with the car. More concerning is the rust that you don’t immediately see, like on the frame rails, torque box and inside the doors. The windshield has a few chips, but nothing to worry over unless you’re going for perfection.

Inside the car resides a terribly cracked and warped dash pad, but a brand-new wraparound version is being provided by the seller. There is a ripped seam in one of the seats and the carpeting may need replacing. New weather stripping will need to be added to the shopping list, as well. The 302 with an automatic does run, although we’re not told how well, and a new battery will likely need sourcing. An air conditioning compressor is present but there is no fan belt for it, so perhaps it no longer works.

This car has a new exhaust system with twin pipes, the tires are newer, and the wire wheel covers are a nice touch (I had a set on my ’66 Mustang, but they got stolen one dark night). When the car was first ordered, front disc brakes were included in the purchase. But we don’t know their current ability to get the job done. Power steering was also on the checklist. The reported mileage on this Mustang looks to be just shy of 89,000.

As the Mustang got larger in the 1960s, the resale value of the cars these days got smaller. A ’69 Mustang with a 302 is worth $5,600 in Fair condition and scales to $22,900 in Concours, according to Hagerty. The seller may realize this and – given the rust present on the car – the Make Offer option might get the most use.

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Comments

  1. Steve BushMember

    Wouldn’t waste my time with this one. It’s way too overpriced for the investment of time, effort and cash to make it nice.

    Like 6
  2. AwHeck

    My first car was a ’69 Mustang with a 302 in medium silver jade metallic. Got it my junior year in high school at Avis as a rental sell off. Had her 5 years and a lot of great memories. She rusted badly in Indiana. I still have a set of her keys and the owners manual (and the good memories).

    Like 6
  3. flmikey

    You can tell this car has been re-worked at least once, and poorly at best…I believe the front floors are no longer there, the frame rails and torque boxes are pretty much gone too…hard pass on this one…

    Like 6
  4. Steve R

    Sold.

    This is more evidence that shiny paint, especially red, overcomes common sense. I have more than a few friends, who should have known better, that have ignored red flags, as well as their friends advice and bough cars that were total pieces of junk. Though none nearly as bad as this one. I’d have sympathy for the buyer, but the ad clearly shows the car is really rusty, all they needed to do was open their eyes and objectively read the ad.

    Steve R

    Like 2
  5. Mustang Jason

    Re-sale Red Re-spray makes the sale to someone who doesn’t know how much they will be upside down in this car when they finish making it solid. How long does it take to replace the hood hinge? 30 minutes at the most. Red dash pad and trim indicate the car had an original red interior. Lots of lipstick on this one.

    Like 1
  6. Kenn

    I agree Steve, if an ad is honest, pictures show what’s wrong, then there is no sympathy for a buyer if they get upset with that with which they end up. My guess is that a buyer paying what we all feel is too much, either doesn’t believe he won’t get more once it’s finished, or is buying just for the enjoyment of owning the vehicle, with no thought or desire to sell it. I’ve owned two airplanes and a boat that fit that explanation. Sometimes pleasure is it’s own reward.

    Like 1
  7. Raymond

    After seeing under the photos of mustang stay far away from this as can to far gone needs to much work not worth it hood looks like been hit

    Like 0

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