whats it worth: 69 mach1 428 CJ 4spd

[black69]

I have a friend that has a car that drives, and the body is rust free and freshly painted (fair-cheap paint job), but the interior is worn and orginal, and we are not even sure if the engine is original or not (I learned its is very had to decode a 428 CJ as original block or not).

So my friend has to sell this thing (got the marti report, its a neat blue aqua color). Came factory with the shaker. no other options except an 8 track.

Is this a $35K car? 40? 45? Assuming its not original engine (we cant tell).

I told him $35-40K seemed fair to ask if its potentially not original engine. But I know little about fords.

rough ballpark advice appreciated. I am working on some pictures if needed.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

There will be a vin stamped just under the back of the driver's side cylinder head. Check there for a partial. Also, there will be a partial stamped on the upper left hand mounting ear on the transmission if its an original (Transmission tag should say RUG-AE1 or RUG-AE2. I would say asking $35-40k is a good guestimate for a 4 speed 428 shaker car.

PICS! Would love to see it.

-Matt

[black69]

do you need a special mirror setup to see that on the block while in the car? looks tight to get something back there to check. thanks for the advice.

[tom406]

If it doesn't have headers, sometimes its easier to see from underneath. Wipe it as clean as you can, and use a good small light to shine across the area. FWIW, I'm not convinced that Ford was 100% consistent with these stampings. I bought a 70 428 CJ 4 speed car from the original owner, everything there including smog. The casting dates were dead on but I couldn't find a stamped number. I've heard other 428CJ owners tell similar stories.

[Sportyworty]

If the car is a Metuchen built vin 9T the vin may be on the back of the drivers side head and if changed over the years will be on the passenger side front. If it is a 9F Dearborn or 9R San Jose it will likely be on the pad previously mentioned drivers side just below the head. It will only be a partial vin. You can see it using a mirror and good flashlight AFTER rubbing the area to remove any paint. Before you go to that trouble check the date on the block and heads. "most" cast dates fall 3-8 weeks prior to the cars actual build on the Marti (not the date on the door tag) The block date is located on an angled pad just under the oild filter adapter and will read Year, Month Day. The heads dates are under the covers. If those dates proceed or grossly precede the actual car build date it is likely not maching numbers. A solid driver with non matching numbers well advertised and photographed will bring in the 40 range in this market. A 4 speed will help and if so will have the tach. Good luck

[black69]

not the greatest pictures. he plans to jack it up over the weekend and look for the numbers. Like I said, I dont know fords, and looking at the 8K tach, there is no redline like mopars and GM. that is very odd to me. yet red line on the speedo after 70mph. What was ford thinking? be careful speeding but go ahead and blow up your engine (without a redline tach)?

[ZAPPER68]

I bought one of those back in '70...paid $2500 for and sold it in '74 for $2500. You're right there is no red line on the tach but one on the speedo @ 70 mph. Good score if 'it is what it is' and the numbers match. They are great cars but hard as hell to parallel park without power steering. The rim blow (horn) steering wheel advertises your parking prowess....that's a big lump between the fenders...headers are another challenge.

[Sportyworty]

If your friend has any particular questions about the car or would like me to get the word out just ask.

[black69]

thanks for the help guys. I definitely learned more about mustangs with the 428. He got an offer for 37500 this morning and I told him to not take anything less, and hold off to decode the block first, maybe get $40-45K. I said dont take a deposit until you know what that block is. again thanks for the help!

[442w30]

For what it's worth, CJ Mach Is are a dime a dozen. If you want to flip it, you probably would need to know more about them before you make the dive. If you want to learn more about a Ford, you have plenty of opportunities to find another one.