1970 Mustangs
In 1970, John Naughton, a Ford Motor Company vice president and general manager of the Ford Division, said, “With a more powerful nine-engine lineup, additional muscle-car options and the new colors, the 1970 Mustang comes on stronger and sportier than ever before.” The truth was more subtle. The 1970 saw no major changes to the Mustang lineup. The 1970 Mustang body resembles the 1969 body with the following visual external modifications. Internal modifications consisted of a different steering wheel, new high-back bucket seats and the addition of an optional interior decor group added too. The engine lineup changed slightly for 1970. Total Production for 1970 was 190,727 units.
The 1970 saw no major changes to the Mustang lineup. Most of the changes were in the way of subtle refinements. The 1970 Mustang body was basically the same as the 1969 model year body with the following visual external modifications:
The headlights were moved inside the grill opening. The outboard location where the headlights previously were located was covered with a simulated air intake piece.
The simulated air intake on the fastback’s rear quarter panel was removed.
A reverse facing (simulated scoop was added on the Grande’s side and looks like a backwards comb.
Rear tail lights were flat and recessed.
A shaker hood was available on all 351 engines and the Boss 302 v-8 engines, but not the 428 CJ
The Mach 1 grille was restyled and included 2 driving lights.
Hood pins were replaced with twist style locking pins
The rear taillight panel got a honeycomb panel
The lower Mach 1 sides got an argent metal panel with MACH 1 molded into it.
A win-type rear deck air spoiler was also available, along with tinted glass.
On the inside, modifications consisted of a different steering wheel and new high-back bucket seats became standard equipment with the seat back release moved to the lower part of the seat. A new “oval” steering wheel (supposedly to ease entry and exit), and the ignition switch was moved to the steering column which locked the steering wheel when turned to the off position. The 1970 Mustang also featured
molded louvers that protected rear seat passengers from direct sunlight. They were painted a racing black color and hinged upward for easy access to the back window
There was an optional interior decor group which consisted of simulated wood grain interior, knitted vinyl or high back bucket seats with a blazer stripe. A deluxe steering wheel, and on the exterior: dual color matching rear view mirrors, rocker panel and wheel lip moldings.
The headlights became dual units again instead of the quad units used in ’69, front side marker lamps were moved up onto the fenders, the quarter panel “scoops” were deleted, and the rear taillights were now recessed into their housings.
Engines
The engine lineup changed slightly for 1970. Performance modifications as always depended on your engine and package. V8s with dual exhaust now had 2 mufflers mounted in front of the rear axle.
The 390 was dropped and the 351-2V Cleveland and 351-4V Cleveland replaced the 351 Windsor models of previous years. The 390 engine had become obsolete and the Cleveland units were better all around. The 351 engine package spouting a 4bbl car was only available in the Cleveland variety. There were 351 2bbl engines installed a mustangs if requested. It was the luck of the draw whether you received a Windsor or Cleveland 2bbl engine.
The 428 drag pack was produced with either a 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 axle ratio. The engine received an oil cooler and 427 type connecting rods, a different harmonic balancer & flywheel.
Special Edition Models & Variants
The Grande, Mach 1, Boss 302, and Boss 429 were all available in 1970 and the Shelby cars had their final year. There were several territorial specials like the Twister Special that are hugely popular with collectors today.
Mach 1
The Mustang Mach I, introduced in 1969, was popular again in 1970. The 1970 Mustang Mach 1 came only on the fastback body style. Factory options included: 351ci 4-barrel engine, 3-speed manual transmission, Ford 9 inch 3.00 standard axle ratio, black hood stripe, F70x14 belted tires, power steering, AM radio, tinted glass, front bumper guards, and tachometer.
Mustang Boss
The 1970 Mustang Boss came in two models: the Boss 302 and the Boss 429. The Boss came only in the fastback body style and included either the 302ci or 429ci V8 engine, Drag Pack suspension, Convenience Group, clock, power steering, power front disk brakes, tachometer, AM radio, functional front air spoiler, decor group, competition suspension, trunk mounted battery, and bucket seats with center console. For 1970, the Boss 302 got a competition suspension, smaller intake valves and aluminum valve covers.
Twister Special
The 1970 Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special was a promotional special model sold only in the Kansas City area. The promotion was limited to 96 cars and all were Grabber Orange Mach 1 Mustangs with either the Super Cobra Jet Ram Air engine or the new 351ci Cleveland 4 valve V8 engine, Drag Pack suspension, a tornado decal on the rear fender with the words Twister Special, and all obviously for a special price.
Sidewinder Special Mustang
Not a lot is known about the ’70 Sidewinder Special. What is known is that all sidewinders were produced with 351-4V engines, were Dearborn built, were all sportsroof models, and were sold in the Oklahoma Sales District. The Sidewinder came in a variety of colors, and sported a decal which was similar to Ford’s own cobra cartoon. These decal stripe kits were placed in the trunk, and were to only be applied by the dealers who decided to be involved in the promotion. It is believed that about 40 Sidewinder Special were produced.
Mustang Grabber Models
Towards the beginning of the 1970 model year, Ford introduced the Grabber Mustangs to promote their new line of Grabber colors, including Grabber Blue, Grabber Orange, Grabber Green, and Grabber Yellow. All of these Grabber Mustangs could only be ordered with the sportsroof model, and could be ordered with one of two strip packages.
Learn more about the 1970 Mustang Grabber Models
Specifications, Options & Detailed Stats
Production Numbers
A total of 190,727 Mustangs were sold in 1970. Total production was down 5.5% year on year, the fourth year in a row of declining sales. Once again, the Hardtop coupe was the biggest seller, making up just over 43% of the total cars sold in basic form and another 13,581 units sold as the “Grande” model (7% of production). To dive into the model and body splits as well as see charts and percentages, check out our 1970 Ford Mustang Production & Sales Numbers deep dive.
Year VIN Body Style Total % Total
1970 01 Hardtop 82,569 43.29
1970 02 Fastback 38,422 20.15
1970 02 Fastback Boss 302 7,013 3.68
1970 02 Fastback Boss 429 499 0.26
1970 04 Hardtop Grande 13,581 7.12
1970 04 Fastback Mach 1 40,970 21.48
1970 03 Convertible 7,673 4.02
1970 Total 190,727 100.00
Options and Pricing
The 1970 saw no major changes to the Mustang lineup. Most of the changes were in the way of subtle refinements. For more detailed options and pricing, please check out our 1970 pricing and options research.
Grouping Description Retail Price
Base Car 2 Door Hardtop 2,822
Base Car 2 Door Convertible 3,126
Base Car 2 Door Fastback 2,872
Exterior & Interior Colors
A total of 16 exterior colors were offered for the 1970 Mustang model year. Adding in Shelby colors and any special model colors and total comes to 25 options. As you may or may not know, several colors could be special ordered on any 1970 Mustang hardtop, fastback, or convertible. For detailed colors, color palettes, codes and interior colors please check out our in depth 1970 colors information post.
Dimensions & Weight
The 1970 Mustang body resembles the 1969 body with a following visual external modifications that did not impact the dimensions and weight of the car.
Description Measure
Body Length 187.4 inches
Body Width 71.9 inches
Body Height 51.3 inches
Wheelbase 108.0 inches
Weight Fastback (Six) 2856 lb
Weight Hardtop (Six) 2832 lb
Weight Convertible (Six) 2942 lb
Trunk Capacity – Fastback w/ rear seat up 5.3 cu-ft
Trunk Capacity – Hardtop 9.8 cu-ft
Trunk Capacity – Convertible 8.0 cu-ft
Capacities
Model Capacity Transmission – 3 Spd Transmission- 4 Spd Transmission- Auto Axle Gas tank Cooling system – Qt. w/ heater Cooling system- with AC
6 – 200 – Engine Oil 4.50 3.5 – 16.00 4 20 9.00 9
6 – 250 – Engine Oil 4.50 3.5 – 18.00 4 20 10.00 10
8 – 302 – Engine Oil 5.00 3.5 4 18.00 4 20 13.50 15
8 – 351 – Engine Oil 5.00 – 4 18.00 4 20 13.50 15
8 – 390 – Engine Oil 5.00 – 4 26.00 5 20 14.50 16
8 – 428 – Engine Oil 5.00 – 4 26.00 5 20 14.50 16
8 – 429 – Engine Oil 9.00 – 4 25.50
Variant 0-60 mph (seconds) 0-100 mph (seconds) Quarter Mile Top Speed
1970 Mustang (429cid) (C&D) 5.5 sec 12.8 sec 121 mph
1970 Boss 302 Mustang 6.9 sec 14.6 sec @ 98 mph
1970 Boss 429 Mustang 6.8 sec 3.7 sec 14.0 sec @ 103 mph
Engine Specifications
Type Size Carb Horse Power Tourqe
I-6 200ci 1x1bbl 120 hp
V8 289 1x4bbl 306 hp
V8 289 1x4bbl 271 hp
V8 289 1x2bbl 200 hp
Shelby GT500 289ci 1x4bbl 290 hp
V8 289ci 1x4bbl 225 hp
390 GTA 390ci 1x4bbl 335 hp @ 4800 rpm 427 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 427ci 2x4bbl 425 hp
V8 427ci 1x4bbl 410 hp @ 5600 rpm 476 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm
Shelby GT500 428ci 2x4bbl 355 hp @ 5400 rpm 420 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Performance Statistics
0 to 60 mph Quarter Mile Engine Source
n/a 15.9 sec @ 89.0 mph 289ci/271hp Motor Tend 5/67
n/a 15.2 sec @ 91.0 mph 390ci/320hp Car & Driver 11/66
n/a 15.5 sec @ 92.9 mph 289ci/306hp Popular Hot Rod
7.1 sec 15.3 sec @ 93.5 mph 390ci/335hp Hot Rod
7.4 sec 15.6 sec @ 94.0 mph 390ci/320hp Motor Trend Dec 66