The original Ford Mustang Mach 1 was a sensation from the time it hit the streets in the 1969 model year.

After a 13-year vacation, Ford has revived the Mach 1 name for a high-performance version of the Mustang that’s due to appear in the showrooms in the spring of 2021. So naturally, we figured it would be fun to roll the clock back to 1969 when the original Mach 1 appeared. Available only in the fastback Sportsroof body style, the ’69 Mach 1 featured special paint, trim, and equipment, as well as a full list of powertrain possibilities, from a 351 Cleveland two-barrel V8 with 250 hp to the fearsome 428 Cobra Jet V8,

The 428 Cobra Jet, which initially appeared in the Mustang midway through the ’68 model year, was a game changer for the Dearborn carmaker. For all its success in global motorsports in the ’60s, from Indy to Daytona to LeMans, Ford didn’t really have a championship contender down at muscle-car street level. Assembled from existing pieces in the Ford performance parts bins and rated at a demure 335 hp, the Cobra Jet was a solid 13-second performer at the local drag strips, bowing to no one.

In fact, some will say that from many angles, the CJ Mustang was a better everyday street performer than the exotic and expensive Boss 429. Meanwhile, the Mach 1’s attractive appearance and performance package, coupled to an aggressive marketing campaign, made it a fast mover in the Ford showrooms, too. You can catch the excitement in this original 1969 commercial below.

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