Factory sunroof ordered by Shelby in 1969 ???

[Chris Thauberger]

So what do we know about this car? Is it documented?

Anyone?


https://www.autoevolution.com/news/world-s-only-1969-ford-mustang-mach-1-390-with-a-factory-sunroof-comes-out-of-hiding-224764.html










Introduced for the 1969 model year, the Mach 1 was one of no fewer than six performance Mustangs available at the time. Sold alongside the GT, the Boss 429 and 302, and a pair of Shelby models, the Mach 1 became hugely popular. Specifically, Ford sold a whopping 72,458 units, almost a quarter of all Mustang production that year.
What made the Mach 1 such a big hit? Well, for starters, the package included more goodies than the GT. It came with a matte black hood with racing-style pins, a scoop, a unique stripe package, and an upgraded suspension. And unlike the Boss and Shelby models, it wasn't restricted to a specific engine.

Ford offered a more affordable version equipped with the two-barrel 351-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Windsor V8. Customers who wanted more than 250 horsepower had access to the four-barrel variant, which delivered 290 horses. The options list also included the FE-type 390-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) unit good for 320 horsepower.

But unlike the GT, the Mach 1 was also available with the mighty 428-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8. Offered in both Ram Air and non-Ram setups (Q- or R-code), the Cobra Jet mill generated 335 horsepower. While not quite as potent as the NASCAR-spec V8 in the Boss 429, it was the most potent mill customers had access to in the regular-production 'Stang.

High sales numbers also mean that first-year Mach 1 is quite the common classic nowadays. Sure, the Cobra Jet version is rarer at around 13,000 units, but it's a model you won't have issues finding. And it's not awfully expensive either.

That's not to say that some Mach 1s aren't very rare or unique. But that depends on features and the color combo. Sometimes, it takes a tiny item like air conditioning combined with an unlikely exterior/upholstery color match-up to turn a Mach 1 into a rare gem. This 1969 example in Gulfstream Aqua blue is a tad different because it flexes an option you won't find on any other Mach 1.

You won't notice it at first glance, but look closer, and you'll eventually see that this Mustang rocks a sunroof. Wait, what? A first-generation Mustang with a sunroof? You bet that's a weird feature because Ford did not offer such an option on the Mustang at the time. But a sunroof was available on the Mercury Cougar, and apparently, someone convinced Ford to put it on a Mach 1.

That someone is none other than Carroll Shelby, the man responsible for the cool GT350 and GT500 that turned the first-gen Mustang into a proper muscle car. And the story goes it's one of only two 1969 Mach 1s with a factory sunroof, so it's pretty much a one-of-one if we also factor in the options and the paint.

So what is the story behind this 'Stang? Did Carroll order it for his personal collection? Well, not exactly. Apparently, the car was specified for a doctor who took care of Shelby's mother. He asked if there was anything he could do for him in return, and the doctor requested a Mach 1 with a sunroof. Still working with Ford at the time, Carroll made some calls and turned the doctor's request into reality.

More than 50 years later, this unique Mach 1 is still around. And based on the way it looks, it went through a rotisserie restoration. It's spotless from every angle, and the Gulfstream Aqua color shines better than when this muscle car was new.

The blacked-out hood hides a 390 FE V8, so this Mustang wouldn't normally be as desirable and valuable as a Cobra Jet. However, that factory sunroof gives one-of-one status and puts it into six-figure territory. Hit the play button below to watch it sitting pretty at the MCACN show.

[Coralsnake]

Sounds like hooey "factory" is a stretch, it would have been done after production was completed

I would say sunroof possible, through a dealer. Pretty sure dealers like Galpin offered them.

I would doubt Shelby connection without evidence

Lets see the papers

I have not seen it on the engineering lists

[Lincoln tech]

Most aftermarket sunroofs had a glass panel installed after the hole in the roof was cut with some type of moulding around it , this one has a metal panel with rolled edging that matches the roof metal perfectly , it looks like factory install at least that's what I see , anything is possible . If it is aftermarket they sure did a great job. I wonder is it power or manual ?

[Chris Thauberger]

I have been digging around on this subject for the last couple of days. Already spoken to Pete and Jeff about it.

The sunroof appeared back as far as 65 in the T bird but didn't really take hold till 67 when the Cougars came out with them. From what I have gleaned, Cougar was the first car in North America offered with a factory sunroof. Does not appear Mustangs received factory sunroofs until 1971 again from the information I've found so far. Previous to 71 if the sunroof was added to a car other than the Cougar it was likely done after production and almost always by American Sunroof Company 1965 (American Specialty Cars 2004)

ASC installed all the Cougar sunroofs for Ford

The reason I'm asking is I am looking for more information about a 69 fastback with a Golde sunroof. I'm 99.99% confident it wasn't factory but it's hard to find any information on these cars with sunroofs at all.

[Coralsnake]

"Factory" is where Im having the issue

I will try to recall where I saw an article

These cars were converted after they were built. The assembly lines were not equipped to do one or two specialty cars.

There were some Thunderbirds listed as Shelby engineering vehicles, I believe one or two.

The Cougars were done at AO Smith and the sunroof company.

I have inspected one 1968 Shelby that had a sunroof. It appears on the engineering list, but it does not specifically say it was a sun roof car

http://www.thecoralsnake.com/Cougars.html

[JohnB]

69 GT 350 in Norway.

[Lincoln tech]

Ok so it looks like the movable panel was fiberglass , I'm wondering how they were able to cut the roof and bend the metal around the cut without warping the rest of sheet metal ( or did they weld a strip around the perimeter ? ) It's unclear whether the blue car has metal or fiberglass panel .

[Coralsnake]

Some more info

https://moparsunroofregistry.com/asc-history/

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Where's the Marti report? It would take someone with more clout at Ford than CS to get it built inhouse.

[Chris Thauberger]

From what I've been able to find I don't believe the Marti report or the build sheet would indicate a sunroof in 69 as they were not installed at the factory.

[propayne]

FWIW -

- Phillip

[98SVT - was 06GT]

From what I've been able to find I don't believe the Marti report or the build sheet would indicate a sunroof in 69 as they were not installed at the factory.

It would show if it was a special order and the original DSO and dealer it was shipped to.
Without any documentation it's just a line of HS...... since we're dealing with a Mustang and not a bull.

We then run into the problem of the Dr treating CSs mother at the time. She died in 1951.......
Her death certificate makes it easy to see which parent CS inherited his heart trouble from. The Dr was 53 in 1969.
Francis Etoise Lawrence Shelby
Birth 6 Mar 1903
Death 3 Jul 1951 (aged 48)
Burial Leesburg Cemetery
Leesburg, Camp County, Texas, USA
Memorial ID 58889274
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58889274/francis_etoise_shelby

[Lincoln tech]

Without any documentation it's just a line of HS...... since we're dealing with a Mustang and not a bull.

Now that's a valid point 

[Chris Thauberger]

Without any documentation it's just a line of HS...... since we're dealing with a Mustang and not a bull.

Now that's a valid point 

Yes, you can't argue with that. The facts are the facts

I never would've thought of looking for his mother's death certificate that debunked the whole story.

Does somebody want to let them know they can take the sign down now?🤣

[Special Ed]

Chris T.  looks like u were at the brothers collection (best muscle car collection in the world from what i seen). George H.. CDC out of detroit was a rep for ASC back in the 80s or so.