Since we’re on the theme of stripper Fords, dressed up or not, LeSabrethoothTiger posted this bare-bones 1970 Mustang at the Cohort, and it reminded me just how relatively common these were back in the day. It’s refreshing to still see one now, although I don’t know about/remember those wheel covers. Are they the right ones for this year? Anyway, this needs the standard dog dishes to make the look complete. I remember the interiors on these too: all black, hard, and dreary, quite unlike the earlier Mustangs.
Which brings up an interesting point: The first generation Mustang (1965-1966) just never looked like a stripper, even in its most basic configuration. No dog dishes on those.
It was a different concept to start with, more like the Japanese cars that came well-equipped within a few years. The Mustang had no external differences in trim, unless one got the GT package. Every one looked…Unexpectedly well trimmed. OK, the white walls were optional.
I’ve seen plenty of this gen Ford Mustang, but I’ve never seen a basic bare bones Mustang.
Those wheel covers are indeed correct for 1970.
They actually look like wheel cover versions of the higher end styled steel wheels used on the 68 and 69 GT and Mach 1s
I distinctly remember a lot of Mustangs having those wheel covers. Most of the strippo Mustangs have been junked years ago, so to see one today with those wheel covers is an unusual sight.
I can’t see a plain version of this Mustang without thinking of the opening credits of the Mary Tyler Moore show….
So true Carmine – I forgot about Mary Tyler Moore’s Mustang! I knew there was a popular one I had seen on TV but I couldn’t remember where. Thanks!
Here it is! I believe it is a 1970 as well. (Picture from Google images)
I am fairly sure “Mary Richards” ’70 Stang had same wheel covers as feature car. But would have to watch the opening, there is a clip of the side view when she parks at the house.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/car-show-classic/car-show-smorgasbord-of-1970-mustangs/
Those wheel covers may be correct, but if it were mine I would install body colored steel wheels with the dog dish hub caps. Either that or some “period correct” aftermarket wheels. Definitely nothing larger than 15″ I would also put a mirror on the passenger side, just for safety. Other than that I think I would leave it alone. There is something good to be said for simplicity.
Not a Mustang, but I always preferred the Esprit version of the mid ’70s Firebird over the Trans Am. I would remortgage my house to get one like they used in The Rockford Files. That was a gorgeous car.
+1 on the Esprit… in blue.
No need for the re-fi, non Trans Am Firebirds from the 70’s aren’t that expensive.
I had an older cousin that had a blue 77-78 Esprit in blue with a white interior, I really liked that car, it got stolen and stripped around 1982-83, and her parents/insurance bought her a new 3rd gen Firebird SE in silver, which also was stolen and stripped in a year or two. I think she went to Hondas after that.
Carmine – you bring up an interesting story from my past. My best friend from San Rafael, Wayne W. got his ‘dream car’ in November, ’78 – a new ’79 Trans Am. No air . . . .and being a California car, equipped with the Olds 403 and THM 400. Around 1981, he moves to Dallas in his non-A/C equipped car. T/A was stolen once and recovered. I went to visit him in the summer of 1982. We went to Billy Bob’s Saloon in Ft. Worth. Came back out to the car and the ignition switch was popped; dome light broken. Someone foiled rip off #2. Fast forward to about 1985 when I visited my buddy again and he was moving back to the S.F. Bay Area. By this time, he had a Honda Accord w/air and dark tinted windows (better for Dallas); T/A was stolen and the shell was found somewhere around Houston. . . .
Tie in here is that Wayne had a ’69 Notchback Mustang 302 2V/auto before the Trans Am . . .
My wife’s best friend had a duplicate to the Rockford File’s car that she let sit outside her house for over 10 years before her husband had it junked unexpectedly one day. It ran great, all it needed was some tranny work and it would have been fine. Her dad bought it new in 1980. It was the exact same gold color – everyone used to call it the Rockford car. She knew it had some worth, but never did she expect her husband to one day have it towed away and junked. Can anyone say divorce?
I used to ride in a really basic notchback occasionally in the 70s. V8, 3 speed stick and not much else. It was that dreary slightly metallic medium blue with blue interior. In the back it was like riding in a blue Rubbermaid bin.
And it had these wheelcovers.
“Some people will give up anything to get into a BMW” was what the salesman told my mom when she was asking why they equipped cars with leatherette interiors. I think that statement applies for this Mustang.
True Brendan. Also remember that we are talking about 1970, and the cost of adding even the slightest of options would start to raise the prices and make cars unaffordable and out of reach to some buyers. It is unlike today, where cars are for the most part fully loaded and we do not have the luxury of ordering option by option. The majority of cars were not nearly as loaded back then as they are today. I remember when only the expensive high-line luxury cars such as Cadillac and Lincoln were equipped with power windows, locks and such. It was only until the mid to late 80’s and early 90’s that most mainstream cars started getting more and more loaded with options even as standard equipment. Case in point, I remember the Ford Taurus when it was released in 1986. The base model had crank windows as standard. Honda Accords had crank windows in their base models up until recently. I don’t think you can even purchase a new Accord with crank windows anymore. As power windows got more and more popular, nearly every car has them today. I bet you can’t even find a car today with crank windows standard! Same with air conditioning. Americans have gotten spoiled, and expect their cars to have ALL the luxuries that only a few decades ago were somewhat rare on a mainstream car.
The base Nissan Versa sedan has window cranks, and the rear doors of the base Focus and Fiesta S.
But one other thing is power windows are a lot more reliable then the ‘good old days’.
Surprised it’s not been turned into a Boss 429 “tribute”(Sexton Blake).More strippers and misers specials please
Very true, Gem. Most of the basic bare bones, six/small V-8 pony cars had their original drivetrains ripped out of them with station wagon engines built up in their place. Unfortunately, usually with the rear ends/small brakes of the original drivetrain configuration . . . . kids . . . .
I’m reading about a 440 matching numbers 70 Charger which the owner has now stuffed a 472 crate hemi in.He has kept the original 440 but has removed the servo as it no longer fits
The hubcaps are right at home on this ’70. It just needs the whitewall tires it most likely had when it was new.
Regardless, it’s still a fastback and not a coupe. That gives it a bump in value right there…
Please tell me it’s got a 250 six-banger… please! That would be beyond cool!
Amen to that! And an auto or a 3 speed manual!
Brings back memories of that red ’70 six banger Camaro, and the red ’69 Slant six Charger! Gotta love it, tired of the “one of ten known to exist” big block cars…
the light blue twin to that car was on the street I grew up on; straight six and an automatic and was still in pretty good shape that last time I saw it around 1990 or so. Its probably been cloned into a Mach 1 or a Boss by now. I love a good honest car.
Ford did pull a few tricks out of it’s parts bin to get the original Mustang’s price JUST under $2,400. Most folks forget that the “stripper” Mustangs had narrow wheels/tires (not sure if 13 inch wheel/tires were standard), Ford’s smallest 6 cylinder engine (170 cubic inches) and a 3 speed manual transmission. Some “low line” Mustangs even had a bench front seat.
My favorite Mustang was my aunt’s 66. It was equipped to almost GT spec and was that dark (BRG) green with a black vinyl top and interior. It also had wire wheel covers.
Yeah, and this was the pure marketing genius of Iacocca. The original Mustang might have been a stripper Falcon underneath, but it sure didn’t look like it from the outside. And, truth be told, I doubt there were many sub-$2400 Mustangs that left the factory (or stayed that way once the dealer got hold of them). For starters, I can’t imagine any original Mustang without whitewall tires.
In fact, wasn’t there a Mustang ‘Sprint’ option that went so far as to delete the chrome, ‘cove’ scoops? I understand they’re somewhat rare.
In ’66, Ford offered the Mustang Sprint. It was a six-cylinder only model (200 six); 3 speed or automatic. Had the trim ‘scoop’ delete portion and an upgraded interior with a full length chrome/stainless console and wire wheel covers as standard. When my Dad was going to finance a car for my oldest sister, I remember we went down to the San Rafael Ford dealer and we test drove a yellow ’66 Sprint (six/auto combo). . . . .
The Sprints also had painted pinstriping on the beltline as part of the package. Camaro would offer a similar package in ’67 on the base sport coupe on their ’67 spring special. Full wheel covers, white walls, front end stripe, bumper guards, chrome A pillar molding on the inside; 250 six and 3 speed floor shift. . . .
The ’69 with the quad headlamps and rear fender scoop was hot. The 1970 update ruined the look with the too-big single inboard headlamps, awkward fake vents which replaced the outer headlamps and the elimination of the rear fender vent…which to me always looked like a cheap bondo mistake.
A few years ago I saw a ’71 Fastback Mustang in South Pasadena for sale with the i6 engine and three speed tranny .
At the time it belonged to some kid who neglected it , original paint etc. but tired looking , only $1,200 IIRC ~ current tags & title .
My Son said I was insane for wanting a base model Mustang but in the 1960’s , I remember Ford said the 4 of every 5 Mustangs sold , went out the door with the i6 engine under the hood .
-Nate
Nope; the V8 was always in the majority of Mustangs built until the MII. In 1965, 36% came with the six; in 1966, it was 42%; but after that, the take rate on the six steadily declined.
Didn’t someone post here that the high percentage of six-cylinder Mustangs in 1966 was primarily due to a concerted effort on Ford’s part to push them because sales of the V8 had been unexpectedly high and outstripping supply?
There was a shortage of 289s because of the Mustang’s unexpected huge sales, so they were probably pushing sixes harder. Also, the 200 replaced the 170 already in the second series 1965 model, and it was decidedly nippier than the 170.
Unfortunately my old man was one of those who got talked into the six for my mom. In retrospect, the V8 would have been the better choice in the long run since the flimsy mechanical components of the six often broke at the hands of my older brother, my sister, then myself, in that order.
Gawd, how I hated that six banger. I see red at the site of them even now, whether on this board or elsewhere.
My mantra for any Falcon platformed or Fox-bodied car is unwavering-Get the V8.
There are websites with extensive how-to’s on converting an early Mustang to a V8. No small undertaking, essentially you keep the body shell and change everything else.
I remember a lot of early Mustangs with sixes, but that was probably due to the low budgets of my high school and early college friends.
” Nope; the V8 was always in the majority of Mustangs built until the MII. In 1965, 36% came with the six; in 1966, it was 42%; but after that, the take rate on the six steadily declined.”
O.K. , I guess that FoMoCo. has changed both it’s story and the statistics it published way back then when I was a young Mechanic ,
Certailny every where I went , worked and looked at them , the 6 Bangers handily out numbered the V-8’s .
I don’t like revisionist history .
-Nate
Nate; show me one piece of credible statistic, document or historical snippet that claims otherwise. The fact that the gen1 Mustang was close to a 1:1 ratio of six to V8 was always the common wisdom. I’ve never, ever heard anyone else suggest that sixes were 4 out of 5.
FWIW, I lived through those early Mustang years, and it was perfectly clear to me by seeing them all on the street that there were somewhat more with the V8 emblem on the front fender than without. Never mind the obvious different exhaust sound.
The V8 was a very cheap upgrade, and a very big part of the Mustang’s appeal. And by 1965-1966, V8s were increasingly common in Falcons, Chevy IIs, Valiants and Darts. Folks wanted a bit of pep with their compacts.
Sorry, but your memory is playing tricks with you.
Well, the one original series Mustang that is preserved forever on film, is the one driven by Darren McGavin in his role as Carl Kolchak, on one of my all time favorite, and thus short-lived, TV series. Of course, in 74, a 66 Stang was just an old car. No V8 badge, and, from time to time, you could hear the wheeze of the 6.
Yes, from when an early Mustang could be a beater. I really liked that show too, and that worn yellow Mustang made Karl Kolchak look like a loser.
Paul ;
Do you really think I saved all my training materiels from 40 + years ago ? .
I know you’re *very* careful with your research , I also know we both approach The motor Trade from opposite angles : you’re a well heeled enthusiast , I was more or less born with wrenches in my hands and have always been on the Service / Repair end of things .
I am sure wherever you hung out in the 1960’s was full of rich folks & Hot Rodders with up market Mustangs , that doesn’t change the fact that Ford made more 6 Bangers than V-8’s and was quite public about it as they were quite proud of their new cheap , popular car .
It’s O.K. to be wrong , I usually am .
My buddy Dougie got out of the Service in 1965 and decided to buy a brandy new Mustang Convertible , he wanted a V-8 but the $ break said either Rag Top *or* V-8 , not both .
He just sold that flop top last year , it was tired but still a nice car .
-Nate
Nate, by “credible statistic”, I didn’t mean I expected you to find your old books. Automotive production stats are publicly published information, and they’ve been around forever. And they’re readily available thanks to Google. I’m attaching a screen shot of one of them, but you might want to try it yourself sometime. Search “1965 Mustang production six vs eight” and a number of results all verify the the same thing.
I never make claims or statements on my memory without the backup of a search for the corroborating facts. I do that constantly, all day long. Do you think I pull out all the stuff i publish here from my ass, or head? (same difference, all too often 🙂
I’m not a “well heeled enthusiast”, whatever that’s supposed to mean. I consider myself a journalist and historian, and as such, I make it a point to do my homework before I make claims, especially about something very black and white like production stats.
The only reason I mentioned my memory of the Mustangs I saw (in very ritzy Baltimore County) is that at the time, it was quite apparent to me that the breakout was very roughly 50/50 6/8. And I’ve had that reinforced many times in numerous articles and books over the years. never once have I ever heard anyone claim there were more sixes than eights, especially in a ratio of 4 to 1.
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but just a couple of days ago you claimed there were no turbo diesel W123s, and that the diesel W116s and W126s were sold in Europe, and I had to correct you on both counts, and I took the 6 seconds to google it in order to even add an image to prove it. And that’s not the first time 🙂
A friendly piece of advice: if you want to debate hard facts like production stats and stuff with me, you’re going to have to bring a lot more than fuzzy 50 year-old memories. I rely on readily available facts to back my claims. If you can find some to back yours, bring them on. I’m always very happy to say I’m wrong in the face of incontrovertible facts.But otherwise, I’m not going to spend anymore time on this rather sad little argument.
Cheers,
Paul
Understood Paul ;
I did say you always research your articles well .
I do know Mercedes sold non U.S. Spec. Diesel W-116 & W-126’s , I didn’t realize they all came from Canada though . the colors combinations , upholstery and even what’s under the hood , are all different , you’d know this is you were a Journeyman mechanic who takes them apart for a living .
You’re correct ~ my fuzzy 50 year old memories ore often suspect .
You almost always talk about the higher end of the Auto Trade when writing about your personal experiences , there’s nothing wrong with that and I didn’t suggest there was ~ it’s just a different view point .
Not right nor wrong in my view .
Yes , your are a well versed Auto Journo and I apologize if ever I indicated differently , I am pretty sure I said I like reading your articles because of your knowledge and careful research .
Surely you have discovered by now that reading a thing on the internet doesn’t make it so , no matter who recently re wrote history and claims always it was so .
-Nate
I can’t look at a ’70 fastback and not wish it was the better looking ’69. What a difference a year makes. I feel the same way about the ’65 and ’66, greatly preferring the ’66 even though the differences are small. That said this is a sweet car in that color and condition.
I still like it a lot more than the 71.I was horrified when I first saw a 71 though I’ve since grown to like them a bit more
The ’71 would have been great with another name on it.
“Which brings up an interesting point: The first generation Mustang (1965-1966) just never looked like a stripper, even in its most basic configuration. No dog dishes on those.”
So true. If you just bought whitewalls and a radio your car looked deluxe, inside and out. The full wheel covers, neat side trim, hardtop styling, bucket seats and floor shift, carpet – kind of amazing for what was it, $2368? (one of the best advertising jobs of all time if I’m remembering it right after half a century) The absence of back-up lights and the 260/289 badge were the only sure signs that you were a cheapskate:-)
Those wheel covers surfaced in Australia too, on XY Fairmonts. More parts bin raiding from Furd Australia.
The parents bought a ’68 for me. It was almost a very basic car. Dark red over white vinyl, standard drum brakes, manual steering, no air, automatic, high compression 302 4bbl. When I drove it in 1973 every body panel was a different shade. It was used as a commuter car by an Air Force officer in Northern Virginia. Crazy car for a high schooler to drive. It frightened people!
Sometimes stripper cars but with nice wheels/tires (period correct) look really great. I like the less cluttered look of a no trim body side. Not a bad looking car. The 70 looks much better as a fastback.
Those wheel covers are indeed the real McCoy for 1970. I too, saw quite a few low-range Mustangs in the S.F. Bay Area back in the day, although most were the notchback. Majority of these would’ve been a C4 with 2-bbl 302, although I remember in my senior year high school new used car quest (resulting in my avatar Ford Courier), there was a clean international orange w/black vinyl top fastback like this that had whitewalls, those wheel covers, and a 250 straight six/automatic combo.