Topic: 1969 MACH 1 Original vs Dealer Installed Questions

[STAUBY38]

I recently obtained my Elite Marti for my Mach 1 and found it is a 1 of 1 car if i'm reading it correctly.  It was left to sit in a garage since 1984 and I recently saved it from its continuing seclusion.   The car matches the Marti with the options ordered except the car was not shown as having power steering however it does and all appears to be original part number era correct.   Was this dealer installed or was it missed on the Marti??  Unfortunately I have no way of finding that out because the original owner and his paperwork are long gone.  The build sheet along with the carpet is long gone too.  Has anyone seen this type of issue before?   Is there any way to tell a dealer install?

The big question is,  Do I leave as found and keep it with power steering or do I match the Marti and return it to manual?   How does this affect the value ?

Thanks as always!

[J_Speegle]

What does the report show down in the options. He won't always include some options in the attempt to get to the one of one so many want and are paying for in that section of the report

Looking at a bunch of other 69 reports Power Steering is called out in the lower section on other cars like yours 

Do have 69 S code Mach I's ordered with and without power steering

Guess you have already looked for the cars build sheet That would confirm things. Always a possibility of the report being off (we are human) but not likely

[67gta289]

You are interpreting it correctly as a one of one.  That said, it did take 11 lines to get down to a one of one designation.  It is often said that each car is a one of one if you consider the VIN.

If your Marti report does not identify the power steering option, then it was added outside of the factory.  The good news is that it sounds like it is era correct.  Without dealer paperwork, it is impossible to know who did it and when.  Dealer paperwork is very rare, it would have to been saved by the original owner and passed on through every purchase to you.  Highly unlikely IMO.

How does it affect value?  That depends on a lot of variables.  When you go to sell, it might just be to someone that is on the cusp of needing shoulder replacement, and they might not want to buy a car with armstrong steering.  Then again they might not want a 4-speed either!  This is one of those "it's all about choices" situations. 

[STAUBY38]

Here are the options listed.   I don't have a pic of the Elite with me but I also had this standard report the guy gave me   Options show same on both.. 

[STAUBY38]

Makes sense John   I figured there was no way of telling.  In a judging situation either Concours or MCA would power steering in this instance take points off of the car?

[STAUBY38]

Thanks Jeff   I get that too.   Always more questions then answers!

[J_Speegle]

Makes sense John   I figured there was no way of telling.  In a judging situation either Concours or MCA would power steering in this instance take points off of the car?

No deduction since the judges would not be aware that the car didn't originally come with it. Only the details, parts, finishes and such are fair game at that point. At the time Marti reports are not required for Concours judging and I would not anticipating that the organization would raise the bar anytime soon

Did check about a dozen 69 S code Marti reports I have copies of and not a one listed the engine dress-up option

[STAUBY38]

Very good info  Thank you !       So we don't know either what denoted the dress up kit and how it was ordered or optioned?   UGH  More questions..

[J_Speegle]

I think we know how it was ordered, just a box checked on the order form. Just don't know how Kevin designates it on a report or what box on the buildsheet it shows up on. Haven't really looked at build sheets. don't recall a call out on one of the boxes. Might just used one fo the numbered unlabeled boxes

[Harry1003]

Hi,
can anybody show me some pictures from the "sport deck rear seats"?

Thank you!!

Greetings Harry

[mtinkham]

Manual vs. Power, could you look at the tag on the steering box to see if it might be a manual box?
In referencing Marcus Anghel's incredible restoration guide, there are two manual steering boxes and one power steering box for 1969. If the box is a manual steering box, that might help provide an answer as to how your car left the factory. Of course, if it is a power steering box, then you would not have any additional information - just that whoever made the conversion to power, was thorough!

[STAUBY38]

Yes I still have to confirm which steering box is on the car.  That is the last link in my research chain for the steering issue.  TBC

[67gta289]

Hi,
can anybody show me some pictures from the "sport deck rear seats"?

Thank you!!

Greetings Harry

This is the Ford term for what is commonly called the "fold-down rear seat"  Did you look in unrestored picture area? http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?board=66.0

[krelboyne]

What is the number on the P/S pulley?  Factory cars should have come with an 80B, in 1969, same as 428CJ if without A/C.

[specialed]

Check all date codes as the p/s box has cast date and tag date  all hoses have dates and control valve spool cap and slave cyl. are dated as well as date code on the pump tag id.