74-78 Mach 1's were hatchback only. Could be had with a 6cyl also and no V8's in 74.
Back when I had my 73 Mach 1 in the early eighties, my brother bought a 74 Mustang II hatchback Mach 1. He would bust my chops saying we had the same car, with his V6 hatchback Mustang II. It always would get me going and I know that is probably why he bought the car in the first place, haha. It was a nice looking little car red with the black lower body and Mach 1 decals on the fender behind the front tires. it was black out around the tail lamps also, if I remember correctly. I bet they were fun with a V8 and a stick shift. I don't know if Ford made them after 74,though.
Gotcha. Sort of like how 69/70 Mach 1s were 351s minimum engine size, then that dropped to 302 for 71-73.
Well, not entirely accurate.........we have all read many, many times about Ford retarding the camshaft timing, so not the same cam timing . I don't have the specs here in front of me this moment , but I'm thinking all of the '73s received retarded timing. Of course, dropping the compression ratios by using the open chambered heads, cast, not forged, dished pistons, took some "oomph" out of performance too. Unleaded fuels required dropped compressions, relaxed timing, and mandated a change to hardened exhaust seats to cope with the new fuel. Multi-grooved valve locks and rotator cups/ retainers became common during those years and are decidedly NOT a performance item. I wouldn't characterize these changes as advertising simply blowing smoke . In just the period of two years, the highest performance 351 declined significantly from what a Boss was. Some other changes were on the options list, meaning not having the same options by '73, that you had in '71. Blame insurance companies, ( a now required by law, necessity, absolute evil, surcharging the public $$$$$ for buying performance )and Henry Kissinger ( who orchestrated the events that caused the U.S. to agree to pay more for foreign oil...during Nixon's administration) for causing such drastic changes to the American driving experience, not the factories.
Isn't the radio antenna on the wrong fender?? Is a black dashboard pad with red interior, right?? Jus sayin'...but, pretty car though.
No Mach 1 verts that I know of from the factory
I'd need to see a Marti report on that. No sales brochures, parts books, or documents I've seen or know of mention a convertible Mach 1. Oh, there's plenty of owner modified convertibles with Mach 1 decals out there. The MCA judging manuals all say no.
Sorry, but it even says in the text that Ford wouldn't put Mach 1 on it. I don't see a Marti report attached either. It's nice, but not technically a Mach 1, it's a dealer special order car. If it was, mine would be a Mach 1, but it's not. Mines a fully optioned 351CJ ram air, C6, limited slip, competition suspension, 15" Magnum 500,s A/C, power windows, side stripes, blacked out hood, twist locks, intermittent wipers, deluxe interior, AM/FM stereo convertible. See my photos.
Being that a Mach 1 Could be had with a 302 and standard interior, a convertible like ours doesn't need a Mach 1 name. Ours are better. Our cars were also the closest you could get to a Shelby Convertible after 71 with the exception of an R code. In my opinion all you need are exterior interior decor croup, comp suspension, gage package, maybe 4bbl. or ram air which can upgrade the hood, upgraded wheel covers to be equal to a Mach 1. Add more options and you are getting closer to what a Shelby might have been. The Frank Cone car should have had exterior decor group if was available at the very least and really was a car with some dealer options and a story. Nothing more. The essence is more important than a name.
