Performance Review: Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 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 6384cc 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 1620 kgs (3571 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6384cc 16V V8 engine produces 324 bhp (241 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 427 lb-ft (578.9 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 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 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (224.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 200.0 bhp per ton and 263.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Mustang competing with the 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (224.9 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (224.4 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 263.5 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 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (288.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo (288.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs). This Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.95 secs @ 98.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (13.90 secs), the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), and the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Mustang equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 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 1 390 4 Speed then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison