1969 was one of the most productive years for good performance Mustangs.
This was the year of the mighty Boss 302 ( 290 hp & 290 lb-ft),
Boss 429 (375 hp & 450 lb-ft) and the 428 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1
(335 hp & 440 torque).
By this year the rivalry between Mustang and Camaros was well defined, If
you liked Fords Mustang was your car, if you liked Chevs than Camaro was your
car (if u didn't mind being second - just joking, there was some fast Camaros
too).
Ford was second in Trans. Am racing in '69 in a classic close race, only
to reclaim it the
following year.
The famous Mickey Thompson took three 69's to the Bonneville salt flats
and broke 295 Us & international speed records.
The 1969 Ford Mustang changed a lot this year. it became bigger, heavier
but it gained lot's of performance options. As it increased in height it
increased in horsepower.
The most improved mustang quality for '69 was it's handling. It wasn't bad
to start with, but with time passing, engines becoming bigger, the usual was
for cars to became nose heavy, not a very good handling quality. The designers
and engineers did a wonderful job in the 69,even by today's standards.
1969 Mustang style well we already said it was bigger, wider, a bit lower.
It looked more aerodynamic than it's pre-decessor. The famous side scoop was
removed and replaced by a simple reversed air extractor - (fake). The
famous running horse in the grill was replaced by a much smaller three stripes
and running horse emblem, offset to the right of the grill. The main head
lights now four, two placed inside the grill area. The interior was more
rounded off, with two different "cockpit" for driver and passenger. High back
seats were standard in the Mach 1's
Ford was slowly taking charge of the Shelby, while Carrol Shelby was busy
racing.
Shelby Mustangs were a lot different than their stable mates, their front
end treatment as not as pointy as current Mustangs, the grille now encompasses
the whole front end. To make it different it only had two headlights, as opposed
to four in the Mustang. It had all the scoops and air extractors that were
missing in the "normal" 69 Mustang, on the hood alone it had three scoops
and two air extractors, two more per side, one in the front fender and the
other just behind the door handle (like the 68).
Other performance specials were the Mach 1, the Boss 302, Boss 429. Some
Mustang aficionados call '69 on of the Best year for Mustang performance.
Looking at the engine options I tend to agree.
The 1969 Mustang performance
