01
Exterior Colors & Paint
7 color options studied
Top Pick
Grabber Orange — J8 Factory Code
1970 was the first-ever year for Grabber Orange. Paired with a black hood stripe and Shaker scoop, this is the definitive Mach 1 look. Only a small percentage of 1970 Mach 1s left the factory in this color.
Grabber Orange
Orange Thunder — 351 Cleveland Show Car
This example shows how Grabber Orange deepens beautifully under show lighting. Note the two-tone hood and chrome Magnum 500s — the perfect Mach 1 combination.
Calypso Coral
Calypso Coral — Factory Option Y6
A warmer, more pastel alternative to Grabber Orange. Calypso Coral was one of Ford's "Grabber" palette colors introduced in 1970. Rarer today than orange, making it a compelling restomod choice.
Bright Red
Classic Red — 3/4 Front View
The aggressive front-end design reads best in a bold solid color. Note the functional hood pins, louvered side scoops, and prominent chin spoiler — all stock Mach 1 features.
Rear Profile
Fastback Roofline — Rear 3/4
The SportsRoof fastback line is the most aggressive body in Mustang history. This shot highlights the distinctive rear window treatment, decklid spoiler, and sequential turn signals — all worth restoring perfectly.
Side Profile
The Stance — Long & Low
No other Mustang generation captures this proportion. The long hood, short rear deck, and fastback roofline create the perfect muscle car silhouette. A 1.5" suspension drop on coilovers sharpens this stance dramatically.
Classic Colors
Original Factory Palette
1970 Mach 1s were available in Grabber Orange, Grabber Blue, Grabber Green, Calypso Coral, Black Jade, Bright Gold, and Winter White among others. Each tells a different story.
01B
Silver & Pewter Colors
Silver Mink · Pewter · Restomod Silver
The 1970 Mach 1 was available in two factory silver tones: Silver Mink (code 1E) — a light metallic silver with warm pearl undertones — and Pewter (code 1A) — a deeper graphite-silver that photographs almost charcoal in shade. Both wore the standard black hood stripe and argent (silver-gray) side scoops beautifully. On restomods, silver metallics have surged in popularity as a period-correct yet understated alternative to the Grabber colors.
Silver Mink · 1E
Silver 1970 Mach 1 — 351ci V8
Photographed outside Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. This factory-silver Mach 1 wears the standard black hood stripe and Shaker scoop — proof that silver reads as a serious, purposeful color on the SportsRoof body.
Silver · Rear 3/4
Fastback Roofline in Silver
The sweeping SportsRoof fastback line is just as dramatic in silver as in the Grabber colors. The metallic finish catches every crease of the body in motion, giving the car a stealth-fighter quality that the Grabber shades can't match.
Silver · Side Profile
Long Hood Proportion
The long-hood / short-deck ratio of the 1970 Mach 1 is among the most balanced in American muscle history. In silver, the body lines and shadow gaps become the focal point rather than the color itself — a sophisticated choice.
Silver · Hood Detail
Black Stripe on Silver — High Contrast
The black hood stripe — standard on all 1970 Mach 1s — creates maximum contrast on the Silver Mink body. This combo, with matte or gloss black trim and chrome Magnum 500s, is a recipe for a flawless show-quality build.
Pewter / Gray · 1A
Gray Pro-Touring Mach 1 — 351 Ford Racing
Owner-built by Tom Rose. This gray 1970 Mach 1 carries a 351ci Ford Racing engine, TK6 manual, rack-and-pinion steering, stainless/Corsa exhaust, and a custom leather interior. One of the finest documented examples of a pewter-toned 1970 Mach 1 in pro-touring trim.
Pewter / Gray · Rear
Rear 3/4 — Gray Mach 1 Restomod
The Pewter (1A) code reads closer to graphite than silver — darker in shade, with a depth that suits the Mach 1's aggressive proportions. Here paired with a matte black stripe and period-correct side scoops.
Light Pewter · 1971
Light Pewter Silver Mach 1 — 429 CJ / 4-Speed
The 1971 Light Pewter (M3314A) was the top-selling Mustang color that year — carried over from the 1970 silver palette spirit. On the wider 1971 SportsRoof body, pewter has a distinctly European GT presence. Powerful reference for a silver restomod aesthetic.
Light Pewter · Front
Pewter Mach 1 — Front 3/4 View
Front three-quarter view showcasing the 1971 Mach 1's distinctive nose treatment. The silver-pewter finish pairs naturally with argent (silver-gray) trim on the grille surround, scoops, and lower body — creating an all-silver monochromatic elegance.
Silver Restomod
Silver Metallic Restomod — Shelby 427 FE / 452ci
A stunning example of what silver does on a heavily upgraded Mach 1. This restomod carries a Shelby 427 FE with 428 crank producing 452ci, aluminum heads, and era-correct exterior details. The silver metallic paint amplifies every body crease at show quality.
Silver Mink · Show Car
Silver 1970 Mustang — European Concours
Photographed at the Classic Car Meeting Haarlem 2009. This silver metallic 1970 Mustang shows how the color ages gracefully — no oxidation, no fading, just a deep metallic sheen that looks as good today as it did rolling off the Dearborn line.
Show Car · Race Livery
Mach 1 Race Car — 2015 LA Auto Show
A 1969-70 era Mach 1 in competition livery at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Racing builds of this era frequently stripped to bare silver or used silver as a base for sponsor graphics — showing the Mach 1's track heritage and color versatility.
1970 Silver
Color Codes
Color Codes
Code 1E — Silver Mink
Light metallic silver with pearl undertones. PPG code DAL-33066.
Code 1A — Pewter
Darker graphite-pewter metallic. Reads near-charcoal in shade.
Best Trim Pairings
Black hood stripe · Argent scoops · Chrome Magnum 500s · Black leather · Matte black grille
Source: Marti Auto Works · Ford 1970 Color & Trim Guide
02
Interior Vision
Stock-restored to full restomod
Original Layout
Stock 1970 Mach 1 Interior — Baseline
The original high-back bucket seats, Hurst shifter location, woodgrain dash, and Rally-Pac gauge cluster. This is the reference point — every restomod choice must honor this layout's DNA.
Custom Build
Custom Leather Trim — Period-Correct Feel
Custom-wrapped door panels, hand-stitched leather headrests, and period-correct houndstooth or pony-print inserts. The key is modern quality with vintage character. Corbeau or Recaro seats fit beautifully.
Restomod Cabin
Modern Amenities, Classic Soul
Vintage Air Gen II A/C hidden behind the original dash. Modern AutoMeter gauges in factory-style housings. A billet steering wheel with a quick-release hub. Lokar shifter in the original console location. Clean, purposeful, fast.
03
Engine Bay
351C · 428CJ · Stroker builds
351 Cleveland
Shaker Scoop — Ram Air Induction
This above-hood view shows the Shaker scoop breathing directly from the air stream. The 351 Cleveland 4V was the performance choice for 1970 — 300 hp stock, and a proven platform for 450+ hp builds with a stroker kit, Edelbrock heads, and long-tube headers.
351 Cleveland
351C Stroker — The Right Call
A 408 or 418 Cleveland stroker with Trick Flow or AFD heads will produce 450–500 hp naturally aspirated, fit behind the original hood, and sound exactly right. Pair with a Tremec T56 6-speed for the ultimate cruiser.
428 Cobra Jet
Grabber Orange — 428 CJ Heritage Build
The 428 Cobra Jet was the drag-strip weapon of the era — 335 hp conservatively rated, actual output closer to 400+. An original CJ car is the holy grail. This Heritage Day show example runs original-correct equipment throughout.
912 HP Restomod
Kaase Boss 9 — The Ultimate Mach 1 Engine
Jon Kaase's Boss 9 engine — built on a 429 block bored to 494ci — produces over 900 hp in restomod form. This is the pinnacle of period-Ford-correct engine development. Even a street-tuned Boss 9 at 600 hp is transformative.
Engine Bay
Small Block V8 — Clean Engine Bay
Mustang V8 engine bay detail. Stock-style air cleaner with period-correct chrome and tidy wiring — the baseline for a proper engine bay build.
Engine Bay
Aftermarket Air Filter — Engine Bay Reference
High-flow aftermarket air cleaner and clean engine bay finish. Shows the difference a tidy bay makes — painted block, dressed wiring, and a quality air filter are all achievable details.
Engine Bay
V8 Engine Bay — Red Mach 1
Clean engine bay on a red car. Black air cleaner and blacked-out valve covers complement the body color — a proven combination for a period-correct build.
Hood Detail
Black Hood Stripe — Non-Negotiable
The Mach 1's matte black hood stripe runs from the shaker base to the leading edge. It must be done correctly — proper tape-line edges, no overspray, and the "MACH 1" callout decals in period-correct font and placement.
Chassis Work
Subframe Connectors & Full Undercoat
A proper restomod starts underneath. Full metal work and seam sealing, subframe connectors welded in place (adds 40% torsional rigidity), new rear torque boxes, and either a 9" Ford rear with Strange axles or a Moser 9" with 3.55 gears.
04
Wheels & Stance
Magnum 500 · Torq Thrust · Monoblock
Factory Stance
428 SCJ SportsRoof — Correct Wheel Gap
This pristine example shows the factory ride height. A 1.5–2" drop on Aldan Eagle or QA1 coilovers and matching rear leafs achieves the ideal stance — low and mean without sacrificing drivability or tire clearance.
Wheel Study
Magnum 500 Chrome — The Standard
The 15" Magnum 500 was the original Mach 1 wheel. For restomod duty, a 17×8 front / 17×9 rear in chrome or polished aluminum is the right call — maintains the period look while fitting modern rubber (245/45/17 front, 275/40/17 rear).
Full Side Profile
Long Hood / Short Deck Proportions
The 108.1" wheelbase and 187.4" overall length create the most purposeful proportion in classic American muscle. A slight rake (rear slightly higher than front) was factory-intentional and should be preserved.
Show Quality
Front End — The Face That Started Everything
The dual headlight setup with integrated turn signals, chin spoiler, and fog lamp bezels must be restored to show-quality finish. The grille chrome and "Mach 1" badging are critical details that separate a correct car from a clone.
Rear Detail
Decklid Spoiler & Sequential Tails
The factory rear spoiler, honeycomb tail panel, and sequential turn signals are the Mach 1's signature from behind. On a restomod, LED sequential signals in the original tail lamp housing is a subtle but perfect upgrade.
Side Scoops
Quarter Panel Scoops — Body-Color or Blacked Out
The fake quarter panel scoops are a Mach 1 signature detail. On a restomod build, options include: body-color filled, matte black painted, or removed entirely for a cleaner look. Most period-correct builds keep them body-color.
05
Full Build Inspiration
Show quality · Concours · Pro-Touring
Concours Quality
Show-Quality Front End — 2025 Concours Standard
This level of presentation — every piece fitted to panel-gap perfection, chrome mirror-polished, paint reflecting like a mirror — is achievable on a 1970 Mach 1. This car was judged at the 2025 Moscow Classic Car Show. The benchmark.
Show Floor
Side Profile Under Show Lighting
Under proper show lighting, a correctly restored Mach 1 is one of the most visually striking cars ever built. The roofline, C-pillar cutaway, and fastback angle are why this car won three consecutive national championships at peak production.
Rear Quarter
Rear Three-Quarter — The Money Shot
The rear three-quarter view is the Mach 1 at its most aggressive. The raised decklid, wide quarter panels, and low-slung roofline create a composition that has never been equaled. This angle should drive every bodywork decision.
Detail Work
Show-Grade Detailing Standard
Every bolt, every gasket, every piece of trim at this level is either NOS (new old stock), professionally restored, or a quality reproduction. The engine bay alone takes 200+ hours of prep and detail work at concours level.
912 HP Restomod
The 912 HP Mach 1 — RK Motors Build
This RK Motors build represents the pinnacle of 1970 Mach 1 development: Kaase Boss 9 engine, Art Morrison chassis, Brembo 6-piston brakes, Forgeline wheels. Listed at $139,000. The gold standard for what's possible.
Classic Show
Car Show Quality — Open Class Winner
A well-built 1970 Mach 1 consistently dominates open muscle car classes. This example shows a proper period-correct build: stock body proportions, correct wheels, correct stripes, and a driver's window-down stance that says it's not just a trailer queen.
Mach 1 Badging
MACH 1 — Identity Details
The "Mach 1" script on the rear quarters, the "351" or "428 COBRA JET" callout badges, and the "FORD" lettering on the front chin — every badge placement must be exact. Period-correct reproductions from NPD or Scott Drake are essential.
Full Build
Completed Build — Driver Quality
A driver-quality build is the sweet spot: show-worthy from 20 feet, mechanically sorted, comfortable on long trips, and able to embarrass modern muscle cars at a stoplight. This is the goal — not a trailer queen, but a proper driver.
Close Detail
Mach 1 — Detail Quality
Up close, a Mach 1 rewards the eye with overlapping details: the chrome surround moldings, the blacked-out lower body, the body-color hood latch plate, and the correct drip rail moldings. Each detail adds up to an unmistakable presence.