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Friday, July 25, 2014
Automotif XXXVIII...
Stopping in at 21st Amendment on the way home from the range for some tasty Sun King Osiris, I noticed something in the parking lot across the street. Good thing I had my little Nikon with me! Let's walk across the street and look!
1969 Rag Top. Buddy had one that was the Mach I Cobra Jet, 428cid in fast back. Very fast car. Not built like they are today, but a true flying machine. Even with the small block they were noting to sneeze at.
This one's a '70, I'm pretty sure, but very similar.
(Of course, the average car these days is much faster than the average car back then. A 330hp LT1 '71 'Vette would place mid-pack in a mid-size sports sedan comparison test these days.)
I think it's a 1969 as well. A friend of mine had a '69 Mustang Mach I, but with the 351 Cleveland engine. When he was flaring the fenders I met a coworker of his that had the 1970 Mach I. As I recall it was a bit bigger than the '69, with sides and top that were much flatter than the '69.
The '70 is a continuation of the '69 design and Ford was on a two year cycle then. The most obvious clue this is a '70 are the two headlights as opposed to the '69's four.
Friend of mine had a 1971 Mach 1 fastback with 351 and 4 speed. It'd go like hell in a straight line and cruise all day at 120mph. However, if you wanted to slow down quickly, or go around a corner fast, well, then, just forget it.
The main similarity with today's cars was very limited visibility from within, especially to the rear.
It's a '70, you can also tell because of the lack of rear brake cooling ports. I had a '70 Mach 1 with the 351 and 4-speed top-loader. You could get rubber in all 4 gears and shift without the clutch. Love the shaker hood scoop.
The only body style I liked as well was the early '70s Barracuda. That long hood and low-slung body just can't be beat. You felt like your ass was dragging on the highway.
If there ever was a reason to up and move to the 'States, it's to find cars like this.
Sure, they all smell of half-melted vinyl and 90 octane inside, and it'll corner about as well as the USS Iowa, but there's just something about the immediacy of an old bruiser.
1969 Rag Top. Buddy had one that was the Mach I Cobra Jet, 428cid in fast back. Very fast car. Not built like they are today, but a true flying machine. Even with the small block they were noting to sneeze at.
ReplyDeleteAh youth.
This one's a '70, I'm pretty sure, but very similar.
ReplyDelete(Of course, the average car these days is much faster than the average car back then. A 330hp LT1 '71 'Vette would place mid-pack in a mid-size sports sedan comparison test these days.)
I think it's a 1969 as well. A friend of mine had a '69 Mustang Mach I, but with the 351 Cleveland engine. When he was flaring the fenders I met a coworker of his that had the 1970 Mach I. As I recall it was a bit bigger than the '69, with sides and top that were much flatter than the '69.
ReplyDeleteThe '70 is a continuation of the '69 design and Ford was on a two year cycle then. The most obvious clue this is a '70 are the two headlights as opposed to the '69's four.
ReplyDeleteMy wife loved her Baby Blue 70 Mustang with the small V-8. Had it for 18 years and drove it 45,000 miles.
ReplyDeleteShe sold to a friends motorhead daughter for a song because she love the car as much a my wife.
Gerry
Friend of mine had a 1971 Mach 1 fastback with 351 and 4 speed. It'd go like hell in a straight line and cruise all day at 120mph.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you wanted to slow down quickly, or go around a corner fast, well, then, just forget it.
The main similarity with today's cars was very limited visibility from within, especially to the rear.
It's a '70, you can also tell because of the lack of rear brake cooling ports. I had a '70 Mach 1 with the 351 and 4-speed top-loader. You could get rubber in all 4 gears and shift without the clutch. Love the shaker hood scoop.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keads.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why guests would question Tam's car knowledge, but the internet's the internet.
"why guests would question Tam's car knowledge"
ReplyDeleteHeck, I had to go double check the differences between the '68-'69-'70s before I posted. :D
It's STILL a pretty car... :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a beaut. Just don't let Keads drive it or we'll never find out how fast it goes. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe only body style I liked as well was the early '70s Barracuda. That long hood and low-slung body just can't be beat. You felt like your ass was dragging on the highway.
ReplyDeleteI really should improve my pocket camera.
ReplyDeleteEspecially for the light blue, perfect condition E-type in the post office parking lot today...
If there ever was a reason to up and move to the 'States, it's to find cars like this.
ReplyDeleteSure, they all smell of half-melted vinyl and 90 octane inside, and it'll corner about as well as the USS Iowa, but there's just something about the immediacy of an old bruiser.