Pick of the Day: 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Here is something you don’t see every day: a 1960s muscle car being listed for sale by its original owner. After 55 years of ownership, this Mach 1 is being offered up to the collector marketplace for the first time since being sold new from Bill Watkins Ford in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hixson, Tennessee. (Click the link to view the listing)

“Rotisserie restoration performed,” the seller says. “Car was ordered in 1968 in Scottsdale, Arizona and spent most of its life in Phoenix. Absolutely no rust. Restoration started in 1998 through 2010 in Chattanooga, Tennessee by JJ’s Mustangs.” About 4,000 miles have reportedly been added since restoration was completed.

Having lived in Arizona for the last 18 years, I was particularly interested in finding out more about Bill Watkins Ford. Apparently, the dealership was located at the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road. It originally opened in 1964 as Paradise Ford and at the end of 1967, it was sold to Bill Watkins. There is a website with some fascinating old newspaper advertisements from the dealership in the late 1960s including photos of a special event which involved Ford’s drag racing team.

The level of detail that went into this Mach 1’s restoration becomes evident in the photo gallery. The exterior is finished in Indian Fire, and the paint theme is offset by black accents for the chin spoiler, air intake, window louvers, and decklid spoiler. Unfortunately, the Marti Report photo is a little too blurry to read, but the seller says that the car retains most of its original equipment with exception of the radio and the steering wheel. The upgraded audio system is a Kenwood CD head unit with Bluetooth connectivity. Options include power steering and factory air conditioning.

Power comes from a Cobra Jet 428cid V8 paired with a console-shifted C6 Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. In its day, this car was one of the key players in the horsepower wars that made the muscle car era such a memorable time in automotive history.

“Car driven to local car shows only, never driven on ice or snow, garage-kept,” the seller says.

Mustang enthusiasts, take a closer look at this one because it is an unmistakably rare opportunity. Imaging being able to be the second owner of such an iconic pony car from the 1960s.

The asking price is $118,000 or best offer.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.