What is the 1969 Mustang E?

Unlike Ford’s Mustang Mach E models of late where the “E” badging denotes “Electric”, the “E” of the 1969 Mustang was a representation of “Economic”, or “Economy”. It is a sportsroof model featuring a 250 cubic-inch (4.1L) inline six-cylinder motor. However, this wasn’t Ford’s average 6-cylinder, it was a specialty motor. It runs an increased compression ratio and is capped with a very unique single-barrel Autolite carburetor. The rear end uses a 2.33 axle ratio, while the transmission is a C-4 automatic fitted with a specially designed, high-stall oversized torque converter.

The cooling system of the Mustang E is also purpose-built. The design employs a radiator equipped with 13 fins per-inch, a specialized thermostat and a custom 17-inch fan with 6 blades. Finally, air-conditioning was not an option on any Mustang E model.

Although this new breed was unlike anything Ford had ever imagined putting into production before, it was practically impossible to know what you were dealing with unless looking under the hood. In fact, the only clue of something different with this car was the Mustang E name, humbly displayed upon each rear quarter panel.

Why Have I Never Heard About This Car?

This is a very common question. Some believe that the Mustang E was a aftermarket package, or that it was a post-production upgrade offered by dealerships or a third-party. None of those assumptions are correct. The Mustang E was a special edition that came directly from Ford Motor Company’s assembly line. In fact, each and every Mustang E car was made at the Dearborn, Michigan production facility. They were only available as a 1969 model year, and only 96 of them were ever produced.

Indeed, the Mustang E is an extremely rare vehicle…ultra-rare, if you will. A large percentage of the world’s leading Mustang experts including the most die-hard Mustang enthusiasts have never even heard of this car. Although some of the highly-knowledgeable Mustang connoisseurs are aware of the Mustang E’s existence, we can tell you from experience that very few have ever laid their eyes on one. To be honest, it’s not surprising when considering the very low production number of this unique Mustang.

We’d like to think of this car as a mythical creature of sorts…yet most myths are widely-known, and since the Mustang E is not, that label is not suitable. For this reason, we prefer to consider it more along the lines of “the mustang that nobody has ever heard of”.

Why Were So Few Mustang E’s Produced

This is where the story gets a bit interesting. Beginning in 1936, Mobile Gas Company held an annual event known as the Mobilegas Economy Run. It was a long-distance drive to test the true fuel economy of modern production vehicles at the time. Divided into classes by weight and motor size, the vehicles set off – often with public figures or company executives at the wheel – on a cross-country trek. One part of the rules for competing were that the vehicle must be an unmodified, factory production model. In other words, no prototype cars or specially modified engines were allowed. You could only compete with a completely stock vehicle just as it would have been sold to the public.

While we have not been able to find a definitive answer, it’s assumed that Ford wanted to do two things: compete in the Mobilegas Economy Run, and garner the attention of the public by using this opportunity to introduce a new model. The most realistic and sensible answer is that they began the Mustang E project to do exactly that. By producing a mere 96 units, they had enough to send out to dealerships which would qualify this rare vehicle as a production model for Mobil’s event. By performing well at the event, hey could then test the public response, and, if demand was high enough, begin producing the Mustang E on a much larger scale. However, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

In 1968 the Mustang E had already been produced, and contrary to popular belief, the car did actually enter the Mobilgas Run. However, just 3 days after the event began with a departure from Anaheim, CA and a destination of New York, NY it was cancelled in Indianapolis due to widespread civil unrest after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which took precedence on all forms of media while quickly washing away any coverage of the Mobilgas Economy Run.

Unfortunately for Ford, this meant no finish line was achieved with the Mustang E (or any car for that matter). In addition, in December of the same year Mobil’s VP of marketing, Richard F. Tucker announced that the event would be permanently cancelled. Tucker stated that “changing advertising patterns and changing emphasis in automotive performance as major factors influencing the decision”. This succession of unfortunate factors meant that Ford missed out not only on the massive publicity which could have been had if the 1968 event ran to completion, but also the ability to participate with the Mustang E the following year.

Overall, it’s safe to assume that Ford decided to call it quits on the project due to an unwillingness to continue investing. It seems like what was initially a great opportunity grabbed by the horns, turned out to be a dead end. Had the 1968 event ran to completion or if the event were not permanently cancelled, Ford very well may have became the innovators of an “Eco-Sport” market while simultaneously remaining a leader in the ever-growing realm of muscle cars. The unique thing about this all is that Ford chose their most popular platform of the time, the Mustang, in an attempt to simultaneously use it for two very different markets – high performance, and maximum fuel economy.

How Many Mustang E Cars Still Exist Today?

At the end of the day, there are many assumptions that can be made surrounding the Mustang E project regarding both its inception and it’s termination. However, one thing is for sure – a Mustang E is almost impossible to find today.

In fact, this is a big part of why this website exists today. In an era where muscle cars and high-performance was in big demand, it was difficult to bring something like the Mustang E into popularity. While the Mobil Economy Run brought the perfect timing for a fast introduction and market testing, it simply didn’t pan out (for reasons mentioned above). With that being said, many of the Mustang E car probably found themselves being driven into the ground and eventually forgotten about, or bought inexpensively and swapped out for larger, more powerful motors.

It’s quite possible that a good portion of these cars were de-badged and simply sold or used as daily drivers or fleet cars. After all, 96 is is not a very large number at all, less than 2 cars per state. Imagination is not required to comprehend why you’ve probably never heard about the Mustang E before.

In the past until the present day, people seek things they like. Things that last a long time, things that perform well, and things that nobody else has. And when we talk about the list of things that nobody else has, the Mustang E is a top contender in the world of automobiles. As far as we’ve seen (and been told), there is only one authentic specimen that remains alive, and it’s in concours condition.

If you should happen to own, think you own, or now someone who owns a 1969 Mustang E, you’d be doing Ford history a great justice by pointing them to this site so they can get in contact and have their vehicle registered here. However, we won’t be holding our breath. When we contacted Kevin Marti of Marti Reports, he said confidently that the Mustang E on this registry was the only Mustang E he has ever generated a report on. Other industry sources, including Ford themselves and many individuals who are deeply involved the collector automobile world have all denied knowing of another Mustang E apart from the example listed here on the registry.

Yes, the “Mustang that nobody has ever heard of”…but now you have! If you’re ready to see it, visit the registry page now.