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
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Ford continued with the 70 Mustang "renewed" the previous year with
not many changes. The old saying still applied don't try to fix a good thing
if it's not broken! (I said that before I think!)
The most noticeable change was the front end treatment. In 69 the Mustang
gained a extra pair of headlights inside the grill area, in 1970 the Mustang
lost the pair of lights on the outside of the grill area (now a bit bigger)
- replaced by a twin air intake. The running horse emblems now was centered
in the grill.
Other important changes in styling were; the fake reversed side scoops
were deleted, a side marker was incorporated into the front fender, the rear
end was revised by recessing the rear lights. The interior gained the Mach
1 seat as standard equipment, automatic seat back release, new passengers
belts. This year was a first for semi oval tires, locks for the steering wheel,
transmission and ignition.
A new 351 engine was also available using a canted valve system ala 429.
The Shelby Mustang didn't change very much from it predecessor, Carrol Shelby
and Ford weren't working together anymore. This was to be the last year for
the Shelby Mustang, Cobras were to return, but the Shelby Mustang legacy was
to end in 1970 - Thank you Carrol for the great six years!
1970 a new decade for the Mustang was a successful year.
Trans. Am racing was to change but Ford was to triumph in one of the most
talked about racing seasons.
This year was also a year of change for the auto industry. New regulations,
insurance cost, gasoline cost and over all change in attitude towards powerful
cars were taking an effect on sales.
Ford as well as other manufactures knew that. Change was to came!
The 1970 Mustang performance
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