69 FASTBACK MUSTANG MARK WELCH’S Wild Horse!

If there is ever an iconic Mustang that screams Muscle, the 69 is the model that does it for me!

The original Mach 1 Mustang with that staunch wide body, sloping roof that drops right into the boot, the raised wing sitting proud to hold the rear end down with the air flowing over that aerodynamic shape from the huge bonnet boosting the ram air kit to have the staunch Cleveland engine screaming horsepower through them huge 4V heads, back through the punchy 4 speed Toploader manual gear box to the tough as houses 9” Truetrac diff! YEAH BABY! It’s Muscle all over!

Ford developed the 68 & 69 models in response to GM’s Camaro and Firebird releases after mainly building Pony cars to attract the younger generation. Deciding to go big and not go home, the engine bay was redesigned to carry these physically bigger Cleveland engines as well slotting a big block 428ci (7.0L) engine to really take on the horsepower war with GM.

Already having the GT brand known, Ford figured these new builds were much tougher than the current GT’s and the MACH 1 name was introduced to make that statement out loud!

The sales were so great that the GT name was dropped and didn’t return until 1982 with the MACH 1 fully taking over the scene.

The Mach 1 is still very much a luxury Grand Tourer though with the fully kitted out interior for hitting the open road and touring in comfort.

With the sales of this shape so high, seven different engine variations were offered ranging from the 351ci Windsor engines to the Big Block 390ci, 428ci engines and Cleveland’s boasting the massive 4v heads for screaming and 2v heads for torquey cruising.

The big block versions were beefed up in the front with stronger strut supports and sway bars for throwing these staunch looking Muscle Cars into corners with a heap of these ending up on the race tracks. The drag pack was introduced to get the horsepower to track on the drag strip as well with factory tramp rods fitted to make these 1620kg big block versions leap off the line.

Mark’s Wild Horse here in the glistening white paint with red detailing is certainly a standout model. The Hurst detailing taking it right back to the era of the Muscle Car war of the sixties with the Hurst performance options.

The only upgrade being the 4 pot Wilwood brake calipers and vented discs bringing it almost into the retro-mod scene but still matching with the red highlights as if factory and definitely required with that manual V8 Cleveland to pull up!

This fastback shape with the ready to race detailing of the bonnet pins and scoop, push open chrome fuel filler, chin spoiler and matt paint infills fully brought the race livery into the Muscle Car scene. It still remains as one of the most desirable shapes out there with the new late model Mustangs returning to the shape to bring the Muscle Car era back to life in a modern way. This 69 doesn’t need a puffer jacket to be cool, it simply sits there with its staunch open grill protruding like the jaws of a shark ready to attack whatever gets in the way and the thump of that Cleveland to warn you so.