1970 Ford Mustang

Description

The 1970 Mustang came in three body styles, the coupe, the SportsRoof (fastback), and the convertible.

For 1970 the Mustang returned to two headlights with a redesigned grill and front end. For the first time, there were no headlights mounted outside of the grill. In place of the outboard headlights were two horizontal non-functioning vents. The front side marker lights were now vertical and mounted higher, at the level of the headlights.

The Mustang horse emblem was moved back to the center of the grill. The rear fender side scoops behind the doors were no more. The rear panel was now flat instead of being concave, and the tail lights were recessed into the panel.

High-backed bucket seats were now standard, and the ignition lock was moved to the steering column.

The Mach 1 now had a hood stripe instead of a flat-black hood. Ribbed aluminum rocker panel trim was new for the 1970 Mach 1. The rear spoiler and rear window louvers were again optional.

The Boss Mustangs continued with little change. The Boss 429 was again rated at 375 horsepower and 450 ft-lbs of torque, and the Boss 302 engine was rated at 290 hp and 290 ft-lbs of torque.

1970 Shelby Cobra Mustang

1970 was the final year for the Shelby Cobras, though in reality they were 1969 Shelbys sold as 1970 models. They were the same as the 1969 models except they now had two black stripes on the hood, and had a front spoiler.

1970 Mustang Key Differences

1970 Mustangs are easy to identify as they have headlights set into the grill with black horizontal vents set into the outer edges of the front end. Additionally, they have no side fender scoops, and the rear panel is flat with the tail lights being recessed into it.

Similar Years

1969-70 Mustangs were the third version of the First Generation Mustangs (1965-1973). Although '69 and '70 Mustangs had the same body, the headlights, grills, and tail lights are unique and they are easy to distinguish.

How to Identify a 1970 Mustang

Overview

• Third version (1969 - 1970) of the First Generation Mustang (1965 - 1973)
• Mach 1 SportsRoof body style shown
• For 1970, the Mustang was again available in coupe, convertible, and "SportsRoof" (formerly fastback) versions (1965 - 1973)

1970 Mustang Grill

• The grill for the '70 Mustang had one pair of headlights mounted in its outer edges (1970)

1970 Mustang Grill and Emblem

• The grill was changed to a horizontal bar pattern (1970)
• The running horse emblem was the same as in 1969, but was moved back to the center of the grill where it had always been previously (1970)

1970 Mustang Headlight

• The 1970 Mustang had one headlight set into the grill on each side (1970)
• Where the outer set of headlights were mounted in 1969, there were now a set of two black, horizontal slots (1970)

1970 Boss Mustang Rear Panel

• The rear panel of the Mustang was now flat (1970-1973)

1970 Mustang Tail lights

• The tail lights changed again and were now recessed into the rear panel (1970)

1970 Mustang Dash

• The dash was new and had four large dials in a single row (1969 - 1970)
• Steering column mounted tach added by owner

1970 Mustang C-Pillar

• For the first time, the fastback/Sportsroof C-pillars had no louvers or badges (1970 - 1973)

1970 Mustang Mach 1 Hood

• Instead of being painted flat black like last year, The Mach 1 hood had a center hood stripe (1970)
• 351 "shaker" hood scoop shown (1969 - 1970)

1970 Mustang 351 Engine

• The 300 horsepower Cleveland 351 cubic inch engine with a functioning shaker hood scoop mounted on the engine's air cleaner (1970)

1970 Mustang Mach 1 Emblem

• Ribbed aluminum rocker panel trim was new for the 1970 Mach 1 (1970)

1970 Mustang Mach 1 Rear Name-Plate

• The trunk lid Mach 1 name-plate was now raised chrome letters rather than a decal as in 1969 (1970)

1970 Mustang Mach 1 Gas Cap

• The Mach 1 gas cap was a pop-open design (1967 - 1970 for this style)
• The rear panel on the Mach 1 had a honeycomb design (1969 - 1973)

1970 Mustang Chin Spoiler

• A front chin spoiler was optional on Mach 1 and Boss Mustangs (1969 - 1970 on Boss Mustangs) (1969 - 1973 on Mach 1 Mustangs)

1970 Mustang Rear Spoiler

• A rear wing spoiler was also optional on Mach 1 and Boss Mustangs (1969 - 1970 on Boss Mustangs) (1969 - 1973 on Mach 1 Mustangs)

1970 Mustang Rear Window Louvers

• Rear window louvers were available on Mustang SportsRoof/fastback models (1969 - 1973)

1970 Boss Mustang Hood Stripe

• The Boss Mustangs had distinctive hood and side stripes (1969 - 1970)

1970 Boss Mustang Fender Stripe

• The hood stripe on the Boss Mustang wrapped around the front fenders and continued to the rear of the car (1969 - 1970)

1970 Boss Mustang Shaker Hood Scoop

• The Boss 302 Mustang came standard with a functioning "shaker" hood scoop which was mounted on the engine air cleaner and protruded through a hole in the hood (1969 - 1970)

1970 Mustang Magnum 500 Wheel

• The optional Magnum 500 wheels continued unchaged

More 1970 Mustang Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1970 Mustangs, visit the First Generation Mustang Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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