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Ford Mustang Mach 1 is coming to replace Bullitt Mustang
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By Jimmy Dinsmore Dec 7 2019 - 9:19am

A New 2021 Mustang Mach 1 is on the Way Replacing Bullitt

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is going to replace Bullitt as performance Mustang. We should see the details of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in the spring of 2020. Here is what to expect and the difference between the Mach 1 and the Mach-E Mustangs EV.
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I have already let my feelings be known about Ford’s use of the Mustang name and logo on their electrified crossover the Mach E, but something good that might have spawned from this otherwise bad decision is that Ford will be launching a Mustang Mach 1 for the 2021 model year. A source has confirmed that this is not a rumor, but a fact as the Mustang Mach 1 will replace the Bullitt as the niche performance vehicle in the Mustang lineup.

Ford will stop production on the Bullitt after the 2020 model year.

Comparing the Mustang Mach 1 to the Mustang Mach E

Other than a similar name, there is little comparison between these two vehicles. Ford was supposed to call the Mach E the Mach 1, but got weak kneed and decided to put the Mustang name and logo on the Mach E instead. While the Mach E is an all-electric crossover with four-wheel drive availability, the Mustang Mach 1 should carry on that performance nameplate’s tradition of having plenty of power and a V8 engine to boot from a rear-wheel drive pony car. If this new Mach 1 will be anything like the Mustang GT, then we are in for plenty of horsepower. The question is, will the Mach 1 get to the 500-horsepower plateau?

Ford Mustang electric Mach-E Blue Color

The Mustang GT with its 5.0-liter V8 engine gets 460 horsepower. So I would expect the Mach 1 to challenge that number, although nothing is confirmed yet. But since this is intended to replace the Bullitt, which gets 480 horsepower from its 5.0, you can expect a lot of performance. The new Mach 1 is expected to share the much of the same performance setup as the Shelby GT350 and will likely contain the Performance Pack Level 2 as well. So you can expect high performance from this Mach 1. And I’m sure there will be a manual transmission from this rear-wheel drive high-performance pony car.

Will Ford put an Ecoboost engine as an option? Maybe. I wouldn’t be shocked, but to stay true to the Mach 1’s rich performance history, they won’t sell many if they do. And please, Ford, leave the electrification to the Mach E, and don’t try to electrify the Mach 1 although, I fully admit that would be a wild ride.

Mustang Mach 1 history

The Mustang Mach 1 was introduced by Ford Motor Company in the fall of 1968 as a 1969 model year. 1969 was a culminating year for Ford in regards to high-performance Mustangs. Ford, reacting to the performance cars being produced by competitors at the time came out with several Mustang variants all with high-performance engines. The first-generation Mach 1 was 1969 to 1970. It had a 351 V8 Windsor engine with a three-speed manual transmission (standard).

The Cobra Jet engine was an option for the Mach 1 too. From 1971-1973 the Mach 1 received a facelift and a longer hood and a the sportsroof styling. When Ford launched the Mustang II (the second generation of the Mustang), the Mach 1 also jumped to that longer, bigger style.

The third generation Mustang Mach 1, on the Mustang II platform continued until 1978. The Mach 1 was eliminated from the Mustang family at this point with the introduction of the Fox Body platform. It wasn’t until 2003 that the Mach 1 made a triumphant return to the Mustang stable. The 2003 Mach 1 was a direct result of the excitement generated from the 2001 special edition retro Bullitt Mustang (named after the Steve McQueen movie). Ford saw value in the performance and niche market again and revived the Mach 1 name for two more model years.

Why Mustang Mach 1

It’s funny how things have come full circle, in a way as Ford will once again bring back the highly-respected Mach 1 nameplate to appease a crowd of Mustang enthusiasts who might’ve otherwise been frustrated with the direction Ford has been taking, especially in light of the Mustang Mach E launch. It’s nice to see that Ford has not given up on high-performance V8 pony cars. Mustang heritage lives on in the 2021 Mach 1. We will be anxiously awaiting full production details and specs and maybe a sneak peak sometime in the spring of 2020.

See you in my next story discussing how Ford makes buying the 2020 Explorer and Edge more appealing through a special experience.

Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. In addition to being a nationally syndicated automotive columnist, Jimmy has been published in a compilation book about children growing up with disabilities, where he shared his own very personal experience. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Comments

Alan DiCicco wrote on December 7, 2019 - 8:23pm
Stop building crappy Mustangs. Break out the molds and build them right. 1965 to 1971 or something like that. No more plastic too much plastic. Stop capitulating to the federal government's rules and regulations build some real muscle cars. And price them right so people can buy them. Finance anybody and will race around the country. We're getting old out here come on
jessie hansen wrote on December 8, 2019 - 10:45pm
yea what that guy said stop making cars for pussies and make cars for MEN. mustang are wild stallions and such should look and act like them too.
Captain Spaz wrote on January 7, 2020 - 1:26am
I bought a brand new one. Need for Green, 5.0 GT. they are awesome!!! Everyone loves it. Women flock to it like you wouldn’t believe. Maybe you should have studied more at school to get a better paying... Yay
Keith B wrote on December 8, 2019 - 12:42pm
The Mustang Mach 1 model dates back to the 1969 models - which were LIGHTER and FASTER than the fat piggish 1972 model you depict as a "classic" Mach 1. I had a 1970 Mach 1 with a Boss 351 Cleveland Semi-head V8, Borg Warner Super T-10 4-speed and a 411 rear end. (My Father owned 6 Ford dealerships from ILL to Wisc, Ind and So Mich and 3 Lincoln Merc Dealership. Using the "Fat" mid-70's Mustang Mach 1's as an example (compared to the smaller and lighter 2000's Mustangs) only shows me you guys are Troquenews have no credibility,.
LR wrote on December 9, 2019 - 2:46pm
Ford never made a Boss351 in 1970 and quit using the T10 in 65-66. Shelby used the T10 up to 1969, Ford used the Top Loader in 1970. You really need to get your facts straight before talking trash. Oh and by the way, the 1971 Boss 351 would have walked all over any 70 Mustang but the 428SCJ or 429 Boss.
Jimmy wrote on December 9, 2019 - 2:54pm
We only have one photo to place into the story. IT was a hard choice. I almost chose a 2003 instead. They're all pretty good in my opinion, but I do agree that the 69 was my favorite year.
Murdoc wrote on June 19, 2020 - 4:59pm
They used that image because the 2021 stripes mimic the 71-73s. You’d know that if you opened your eyes. Think before you start lecturing anyone on “credibility”. My ‘71 351 is a pig. It would eat whatever s**t heap your driving around these days, pal.
Michael JB wrote on December 10, 2019 - 10:05am
"The first-generation Mach 1 was 1969 to 1970. It had a 351 V8 Windsor engine with a three-speed manual transmission (standard).".. The 1970 Mach ! dropped the 351 V8 Windsor as the base engine, and introduced the 351 V8 Cleveland engine.
Stephen J Shiller wrote on January 22, 2020 - 5:18pm
Has a 69 with the Windsor. My dad still has it.
Roket Ray wrote on September 22, 2020 - 1:44pm
Out with the old and in with the NEW. I am 75 and yes, I have had them all 66,68,69,72 when I was younger . We could buy a 66 Fastback with a little rust for $300.00. And Yes, the were muscle cars back then. Remember the steering with all the play. I had a GT 350 and after 100 it was all over the road. The 351 Windsor was a great engine but that rear main seal just dripped a little after a while. I currently have a 2019 Shelby GT-H. The car is a Race Car Mustang with all the with electronics and comfort. If 480 hp isn't enough be like me and add the Roush supercharger and have some fun.