Barn Find Masterpiece: 1970 Mustang Mach 1 Stashed For 40 Years

Anyone who knows cars would be blown away to stumble across this 1970 Mustang Mach 1 kept inside a cinderblock garage at an old wrecking yard. The yard as a business went belly up in the late 90s, but husks of old vehicles still are scattered around. But it’s the pony behind a garage door that’s by far the most impressive of the lot.

This barn find 1969 Mustang Boss 429 hides quite the secret.

To a non-car person the Mach 1 might just look like a piece of junk rightly discarded. Not only is it dusty, it’s up on jack stands, the tires gone and two of the wheels sitting on the ground. Plus, the engine and transmission are gone, the gaping hole in the shaker hood showing nothing below.

However, the 428 Cobra Jet and accompanying transmission are sitting in the building next door, although there is some question if they’re the factory original for the classic Ford pony car. Instead of the original cast iron intake, someone has bolted an aluminum Police Interceptor intake to the engine, with other possible modifications.

Even just as a roller this Mach 1 would be valuable, but with the powertrain that value skyrockets.

While the interior has also been almost completely gutted for what appears to be a halted restoration, the seats and other components are also located nearby. Same goes for the front suspension, while the rear axle and differential are still on the Ford.

The guy who originally found this car remembers it from his youth. He used to watch “Macho 1” blast down the local dragstrip, the 428 Cobra Jet howling, filling him with awe and helping to make him a lifelong gearhead.

When it comes to future plans for this rough 1970 Mustang Mach 1 with a smoking 428 Cobra Jet, the man who found it has already been thinking. He’s talking about doing a full restoration, returning the classic muscle car to its former glory so he and others can enjoy it fully. Considering the vehicle has stayed in El Paso, Texas and thus remained free of rust, it should clean up nicely.

Images via Jerry Heasley/YouTube