Ford put a lot of effort into the 1969 Mustang. The Mustang was significantly restyled, but it was still pure Mustang. It was longer, lower, meaner and sleeker. Every dimension increased with the exception of wheel base, which remained at 108 inches. All Mustangs were lowered 0.5 inch on the suspension and the windshield rake was increased by 2.2 degrees. This translated to about a 150-175 pound weight increase, depending on the model. The biggest visual changes was the front
grille opening. Larger and decidedly more aggressive, it was the only year in Mustang's history that four headlights were used.
The restyle looked particularly effective on the Mustang fastback model, now called the SportsRoof. The roof line on the SportsRoof was lowered by 0.9 inch and the side sculpturing was eliminated for a cleaner, smoother look. In addition, the SprortsRoof got simulated side scoops, which looked like real scoops, and a spoilered rear, similar to the Shelby Mustang, but less pronounced. Convertibles and hardtops used a simulated rear quarter panel vent. New for 1969 were dual color keyed race type outside mirrors- these were optional on all models, but standard with the Mach 1, Boss 302/429 and Grande.
The interior was totally restyled too, carrying the racer theme to the interior. The optional interior, called the Deluxe Interior Decor Group, used sculptured door panels and a console that got plenty of simulated wood grain appliques. There were also two different instrument arrangements, depending whether the car had a tachometer or not. The Deluxe Interior was standard equipment on the Grande, Mach 1 and Boss 429 models. The option group also included high-back bucket seats.
There were plenty of Mustang models to choose from in 1969. Besides the base Mustang, there was the new Grande, which was a more upscale 2dr hardtop. The Grande included the Deluxe Interior , wire wheel covers, the Sport Mirrors and special striping and identification.
For those desiring high mpg, there was the rare Mustang E- a specially equipped Mustang Sportsroof designed for economy. It came with the 250 ci six-cylinder engine, a high stall torque converter for the standard automatic transmission and a very low, 2.33:1 rear axle ratio. Mustang E letttering on the rear quarters identified the Mustang as such.
The GT Equipment Group option was still available on all three body Mustang body styles as long as the engine was 351 c.i. or larger. There was no question that the GT was on its way out as only 4,973 Mustangs got this option- and it proved to be the last year for it as well. The GT, however, would be reintroduced again in 1982.
It was the Mach 1 Mustang that Ford placed emphasis on for those desiring a high performance. The Mach 1 was available only as a SportsRoof and featured a combination of options and exterior graphics that reaked of high-performance. You could option out any Mustang with the same equipment as the Mach 1, but it was the Mach 1 that had the serious street racer image.
Besides the models mentioned, there were also the Boss 302 and Boss 429 Mustangs. These limited production Mustangs were built so that Ford could qualify the Mustang for racing.
In addition to model proliferation, there was also engine proliferation. Including the Boss Mustangs, there were ten Mustang engines to choose from! The standard engine was the 200 c.i. inline six but an enlarged version was available- the 155 hp 250 c.i. six cylinder, on which air conditioning was available. The smallest V-8 was the 210hp 302 . Two 351 c.i. V-8s joined the lineup, basically stretched 302s. The two-barrel carburetor version was rated at 250 hp while the four-barrel was rated 290 hp. These engines were built at Ford's Windsor plant and thus are known as the 351 Windsor or 351W. The old standby, the 390 c.i. big-block was still available.
The 428 c.i. Cobra Jet V-8 was the top engine option. Two versions were available, both rated at 335 hp- the 428CJ-R had Ram Air while the other, the 428CJ, didn't. The Ram Air version could easily be identified by the "Shaker" hood scoop, which was attached to the engine and protruded through the hood. It shook, as the engine idled. The Shaker scoop, was also optionally available on both 351 and the 390 V-8s.
If a 3.91 or 4.30:1 rear axle ratio was ordered, either 428CJ was automatically promoted to Super Cobra Jet (SCJ) status. The SCJ got stronger internal engine components for better durability along with an external engine oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator.
1969 was also a year of firsts for the Mustangs. Besides the exterior mirrors, which were widely copied by other manufacturers, it was the first year for intermittent windshield wipers and radial tires for the Mustang. Both were optional, of course.
1969 was a high point for the Mustang- no doubt, it was the best one yet.
