Performance Review: Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Ford Mustang has a 5766cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1505 kgs (3317 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 5766cc 16V V8 engine produces 254 bhp (189 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 355 lb-ft (481.3 Nm) @ 2600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (193.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 168.7 bhp per ton and 235.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Mustang competing with the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (193.5 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Bentley Arnage T 6.8 V8 4d Auto (193.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 235.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 4.4 V8 F13 (260.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0 W12 (260.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs). This Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.78 secs @ 92.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs), the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (14.74 secs), and the 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (14.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Mustang equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 4 Speed then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 (133 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison