The 1970 Ford Mustang arrived as the American performance car arena became intensely competitive than it had ever been before; rival offerings from Chevrolet, Pontiac and Chrysler grew ever more muscular, and intermediate muscle car sales expanded and pulled in the demand for ever more performance. Four years of declining Mustang sales did nothing to dissuade Ford from refining its performance hero and resulted in an even more comprehensive and well-thought-out line-up mixing stylish, purposeful styling, updated suspension and options along with some of Fords finest ever V8s.

For 1970 Ford altered the Mustang’s appearance in detail they dropped the old quad headlight setup in favor of a neat two headlight arrangement in front and subtly refreshed the rest of the cars extremities. Equipment additions made it more comfortable and easier for the driver and package options allowed the purchaser to have either a more luxurious model or a more sportily specified machine. The engine line-up totaled 9, which range from thrifty V6 to the thunderous Boss 429 V8.

The 1970 model year would also be the end of an era for several key Mustang lines. In 1970, production of the last original Shelby GT-350 and GT-500 was a big milestone, and in the competition world, changing Trans-Am race rules forced an end to the Boss 302’s competitive career. Out of 190,727 Mustangs made, just 499 of them were Boss 429s, making 1970 one of the major benchmarks in the life of Ford’s original pony car.

1. The 1970 Mustang Faced Fierce Performance Competition

There was no rest for Ford with the introduction of the new 1970 Mustang as its position on the competitive muscle and sporty car market had come under severe pressure. Chevrolet and Pontiac were already marketing the new 2nd series Camaro and Firebird cars and even Chrysler entered the segment with new, both desirable cars like Plymouth Barracuda, and the dodge Challenger cars. The mid-sized segment muscle cars like Plymouth Road Runner, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Chevelle and Pontiac GTO, as well as many others lured buyers, who wanted power without spending too much.

1970 Mustang Market Position:

• Competition intensified across performance cars
• Camaro and Firebird challenged Mustang
• Challenger entered the pony-car battle
• Muscle cars attracted performance buyers
• Mustang still outsold every rival

One remarkable factor contributing to the long term success of the Mustang was that the pony car rivalry had broadened out of the limited “pony” segment. The range of medium-large powered pony or ‘intermediate’ muscle cars available to consumers was widening; and Ford required to win over a multitude of drivers-from the every-day owner to the dedicated performance car aficionado-in such a way, that they would still aspire to owning a Mustang. Thus, Ford widened out the range by using appearance options, luxury specification options or tailored ‘performance’ models, rather than just horse-power ratings alone, to allow the ’70 Mustang to appeal.

2. Ford Gave the 1970 Mustang a Cleaner New Look

The outside had the most noticeable revisions on the 1970 Mustang. Ford did away with the four headlamps used on the 1969 model and installed two heads’ lamps within the widened opening for the grille, simulated air-intake openings were extended farther towards the outside front fender for a cleaner, yet, not any less, assertive look. Ford redesigns the exterior of the car further and on the rear end, flat tail lights were inset on a flat opening on a flat panel, unlike the old concave display. Sport Roof models also lacked the simulated side scoop and the Hardtop and Convertibles shed their imitation vents too.

Major Exterior Design Changes:

• Two headlights replaced four
• Wider grille created cleaner appearance
• Rear taillights became recessed
• Faux side scoops were removed
• Body lines became more streamlined

Higher up in the fenders, the front side-marker lamps were adopted all over the 1970 Mustang line, resulting in cleaner styling. The Mach 1 adopted unique restyled grille with rectangular Sport lamps and with an argent lower front body panel with molded “MACH 1” on its nose. At the back side, the recesses taillights had a three-dimensional honeycomb panel between them to make the rear more wide.

3. The Mustang Interior Combined Control With Luxury

To enhance driver command and daily use, Ford focused inside the 1970 Mustang. Standard full front and rear hi-back bucket seats (which feature the seat-back release control at the base instead of the top) were introduced, as well as an all-new, round steering wheel for greater ingress/egress. This new steering wheel was designed to satisfy new federal regulations, and now the ignition lock would lock the steering wheel when turned off.

1970 Mustang Interior Features:

• High-back bucket seats became standard
• New oval steering wheel introduced
• Ignition moved to steering column
• Revised seatbelts improved safety
• Rear louvers reduced direct sunlight

For buyers who wanted a more upscale interior than the typical standard interior provided. The optional Decor Group provided not only many stylistic interior upgrades and exterior styling cues, but also offered Simulated Woodgrain Appliques on all interior appointments, simulated woodgrain trim on the instrument panel, the center console, and interior doors. Luxury Steering Wheel provided a plush interior addition. Dual Color keyed-keyed racing style mirrors gave the exterior a sporty character and Color keyed rocker panels and wheel-well moldings dressed the side of the vehicle and added to the stylish appearance of the Mustang.

4. Ford Improved the Mustang’s Chassis and Exhaust Systems

As expected with the redesigned 1970 Mustang body shell there were a number of mechanical changes made underneath the new car. Dual exhaust V8 models now benefited from two standard style mufflers in the conventional manner, located in front of the rear axle, instead of a single transwerse muffler. Handling was improved with the option of the Competition Suspension Package. A rear stabiliser bar was added by Ford to better the car’s handling. Half-inch wide bars were used on cars with the 351, whereas cars with the 428 engine used a larger five-eighths-inch unit.

Key Chassis Improvements:

• V8 exhaust layout was revised
• Dual mufflers moved ahead
• Rear stabiliser bar improved handling
• 351 models used half-inch bar
• 428 models used larger bar

That increased choice of wheels added to the Mustang’s sporty image and gave more options to people keen to ‘trick’ up the look of their new vehicle. Owners of performance Mustangs could choose from Magnum 500 chrome wheels, or opt for Argent Styled Steel wheels equipped with a chrome trim ring and chrome centre cap. That additional presence, a visual enhancement more in tune with the visual character of the performance versions of the Mustang was increased, and a final step in offering a degree of choice on just what the customers thought they should have on their vehicle.

5. Ford Offered Nine Engines for Different Driving Needs

The choice of engines for the 1970 Mustang’s included a maximum of nine models designed to satisfy each different type of owner. At the base of the range was the 200cc Thrift power Six which made 120-horsepower (net) at 4,400 rpm and 190lbft net of torque at 2,900 rpm. Customers seeking greater 6-cylinder acceleration could have the Thrift power 250 engine which developed 155hp at 4,600rpm and produced 240lbft of net torque at 2,900rpm.

1970 Mustang Engine Choices:

• 200-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine
• 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder option
• 302-2V V8 produced 210 horsepower
• Nine engines covered different needs
• Performance options reached far higher

New for 1970 was the 351 Cleveland V8, this new engine was launched by Ford replacing the outmoded 390 V8 and this was a significant addition in the progression of the Mustang’s engine line-up. Even though the bore and stroke had similarities to the 351 Windsor they were by no means the same engine design at all. A nine-engine range, allowed Ford enormous flexibility. The customer who bought a Mustang could buy a car just for everyday transport, the keen motoring fans could opt for various engine upgrades right through the various V8 engines to serious machinery like the 428 Cobra Jet and the Boss 429 at the very top of the line-up.

6. The 351 Cleveland Became a Major 1970 Engine Update

As a major mechanical advancement for the 1970 Mustang it now received the 351 Cleveland. This particular engine was made in Cleveland, Ohio and, though its bore and stroke measurements were the same as those for the 351 Windsor made in Canada, it was a entirely separate engine from the 351 Windsor. Of special interest is its cylinder head design that has excellent possibilities for breathing well thus giving the 351 Cleveland good performance aspects.

351 Cleveland Key Specifications:

• Cleveland engine debuted for 1970
• 2V head targeted cruising
• 4V head focused on performance
• 2V produced 250 horsepower
• 4V produced 300 horsepower

Open combustion chambers, a compression ratio of 9:1 and a 350 cfm two-barrel carburetor powered the 2V Cleveland with a pair of 2.04 inch intake valves and 1.65 inch exhaust valves enabling good air flow across the cylinder heads. Together with the above fuel and air mix allowed this engine to produce 250 horsepower at 4600 RPM and 355 lbft of torque at 2600RPM, thus the 351 2V Cleveland.

7. The Boss 302 Was Built Around Trans-Am Performance

Further development was also carried out on the engine for the ’70 Boss 302’s intended application in the Trans-Am series. The problem that the engine was somewhat peaky, most of its grunt coming in above 6,500rpm had still persisted, however to increase it’s driveability intake valve size was decreased from 2.23 inch to 2.19 inch. At this stage Ford also shed its costlier, unnecessary (for a street application) cross drilled crankshaft. Finned cast Aluminum valve covers replaced the original chromed press steel items adding an industrial look.

Boss 302 Performance Details:

• Engine refined for Trans-Am racing
• Intake valves became smaller
• Cross-drilled crankshaft was removed
• Aluminium valve covers were added
• Output reached 290 horsepower

Rated at 290 horsepower at 5800 rpm, and 290 lbft of torque at 4300 rpm, the Boss 302 was also provided a group of equipment meant to set it apart as a sporty and performance focused car. Equipped standard, but on all body colours was a body coloured racing mirror and racing front spoiler, though one would also find these body coloured spoilers uninstalled after delivery. A set of hockey-stick side stripes covered the hood and swept down both front fender and sides.

8. The Cobra Jet and Boss 429 Sat at the Top

The most powerful V8s in the 1970 Mustang model lineup were the 428 Cobra Jet and Boss 429. The 428 Cobra Jet was derived from the Ford FE family of big-block V8s, which also included the 390 and the 427. Its specification was listed at 335 hp at 5200 rpm and 440 ft.lb at 3400 rpm. With the 1970 Mustang a customer taking the 428 Cobra Jet could specify the Drag Pack option, effectively turning the 428CJ into the 428CJ-R by adding a coolant, heavy duty connectig rods, a new flywheel/balancer combination and a choice of 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 gears.

428 Cobra Jet Highlights:

• Produced 335 horsepower
• Generated 440 lb-ft torque
• Drag Pack created CJ-R specification
• Oil cooler supported hard use
• Heavy-duty Hurst shifter was available

Manual four-speed transmissions in Drag Pack cars were also equipped with a heavy-duty Hurst floor-mounted shifter, complete with an aluminium T-handle. Together, these performance-focused features made the Cobra Jet particularly desirable among buyers interested in straight-line racing and competition. The Boss 429 was even rarer, with fewer than one-third as many examples produced, making it an especially exclusive and sought-after Mustang.

9. Ford Added Luxury and Special Regional Mustang Editions

The1970 Ford Mustang model range also included models aimed at different market segments and special editions specific to certain regions. One such luxurious model variant was the Mustang Grande package, which was exclusive to hardtops and included a vinyl roof, luxury foam bucket seats, a two spoke steering wheel, electric clock and full wheel covers. The Grande also had bright exterior moldings, and two paint stripes, a reversed facing fake side scoop with a look like a “backward comb” finish distinguishing this trim package from its siblings.

1970 Mustang Special Editions:

• Grande focused on luxury equipment
• Mach 1 emphasised performance styling
• Grabber colours added visual impact
• Twister Special targeted Kansas City
• Sidewinder Special was offered in Oklahoma

Ford’s use of regional advertising and promotions helped to produce limited series “special editions.” Bright Grabber finishes (blue, orange, green, and yellow) limited to SportsRoof versions made the Grabber series a regional deal with two stripe options available. In Kansas City a special Twister Mach 1 was offered; of the 96 units built few remain in Grabber Orange as those options were offered with either a 351 Cleveland 4V or Super Cobra Jet Ram air with Drag Pack and fender decals. The Sidewinder Special Sports Roof in Dearborn’s hometown with 351-4V and fender/hood decal added by the dealers was available only to Oklahoma dealers and few were made of this 40-car order.

10. The 1970 Mustang Marked the End of an Era

The 1970 model year marked the final year for the generation that carried the original Shelby GT-350 and GT-500 models. Both were available in fastback, coupe, and convertible body styles and were largely carried over from the 1969 Shelby models. Although the cars retained much of their previous design, there was a simple visual detail that helped distinguish the 1970 versions from their 1969 counterparts. In addition to the badges, the 1970 Shelbys featured two black, pointed stripes positioned over the outermost bonnet vents, making them easier to identify.

1970 Mustang Production Breakdown:

• Total production reached 190,727
• Hardtop production was 82,569
• Mach 1 production reached 40,970
• Boss 302 production reached 7,013
• Boss 429 production totalled only 499

With total production reaching 190,727 units, the 1970 Mustang recorded an estimated 5.5% decline from the previous model year. Standard models still accounted for the majority of sales, with 82,569 hardtops, 40,970 Mach 1 fastbacks, 38,422 basic fastbacks, 13,581 Grandes, and 7,673 convertibles produced. The performance-focused models were considerably rarer, adding to their appeal among collectors today. Ford built just 7,013 Boss 302 fastbacks and an exceptionally limited 499 Boss 429 fastbacks, making the latter one of the rarest Mustangs of the 1970 model year.