The Mach 1 name, inspired by the concept of supersonic speed, has a rich history within the Mustang lineage, dating back to the 1960s. It was initially introduced as a performance package for the 1969 model year, offering more power, better handling, and improved styling compared to the standard Mustang. But it didn't last long in the Mustang lineup, with Ford only bringing it back in 2003 and again in 2021 for the recently discontinued S550 Mustang with a recipe similar to the first-gen Mustang Mach 1. The S550 Mustang Mach 1 sat at the top of the entry-level models during production, continuing with the Mach 1 tradition of performance excellence. Sure, it's reasonably fast and handles well, but compared to some of its higher-specced siblings, such as the GT350, it feels lacking in power. If you have one, you could take it to Hennessey for their Mach 1 upgrade kit, or you could buy one of theirs. Before we get to how much either option will cost you, how much power does the Hennessy Mustang Mach 1 have?
Don't get us wrong, 480 horsepower and 420 lb.ft is more than enough to make the Mach 1 fun to drive, especially if it has the 6-speed manual instead of the 10-sped automatic. One thing we still don't get to date is why Ford reduced the engine's power output to 470 horsepower and 410 lb.ft for the 2022 model year. That aside, there's something about a Mustang not having a supercharger that doesn't seem right. We'll not even mention the 4-cylinder Mustangs. Back to the Mach 1 now. Hennessey has an HPE800 upgrade kit that includes a stage 2 high-flow supercharger system, which, along with a few supporting modes such as an upgraded fuel pump and high-flow air induction, results in 800 horsepower and 677 lb.ft at the rear wheels. That's enough for a 0-60 mph of 3.2 seconds, give or take, and a top speed of slightly above 200 mph. That's quite an improvement compared to the standard Mach 1's 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and 168 mph top speed. But even with more power, the Hennessey Mach 1 feels quite planted thanks to the sport-tuned suspension with a MagneRide damping system, which they left untouched. We'll touch on more Mach 1 treats later.
Carrying over the standard Mach 1's interior, the Hennessey Mustang Mach 1's interior is simply laid out, making it distraction-free and easy to use. But for other Muscle car enthusiasts, the Mustang's minimalistic interior, not just the Mach 1's, has always been a bashing point for how bare it seems. There are a lot of things to focus on, but if the car is a manual, the first thing you'll notice is the white Mach 1-specific shift knob that not only looks appealing but is also comfortable on the hand. The front seats are comfortable, with enough padding to keep you comfortable when doing long drives from track to track and when driving on those tracks. Some examples even have Recaro buckets that are more supportive, especially around the corners. Like any other Mustang, the second row has decent room, but tall passengers would feel snug for a long time.
Besides a few Hennessey badges, you'd never tell a Hennessey Mustang Mach 1 when comparing it to a standard Mach 1 side by side. It's easy to distinguish from other Mustangs, considering Hennessey left the exterior untouched like they did the interior. One of the first giveaways is the unique grille upfront with receptacles for grille-mounted fog lights, a throwback to the original 1969 Mach 1. Ford didn't offer fog lights as an option, so the only way to get them was from an aftermarket manufacturer. Moving up the hood, you'll notice a stripe running from the windshield from the bumper with Mach 1 lettering resembling the Mach 1 badges on the front fenders, door sills, and the trunk. The car also has a paint strip running from the rear wheel arch to the front.
The Hennessey Ford Mustang Mach 1 gets a fair share of perks lifted from the standard Mach 1 thanks to its track-oriented nature. For example, it has a larger diffuser upfront designed to be more aerodynamic, reducing lift at high speeds. Complementing it is a flat underbody panel, strakes, and a revised rear diffuser to improve airflow under the car and reduce drag. In addition to the track-tuned suspension, the drivetrain has beefier Brembo brakes, stiffer rear subframe bushings, and more. Inside, you get an 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and more. Sadly, navigation was optional, meaning not every Mach 1 has it. We could cover more, but let's move on to pricing.
Taking your Mustang Mach 1 to Hennessey will have you parting with roughly $25,000, but if you bought one from them new, it would have set you back around $80,000. Today, you can pick one up for approximately $60,000, which is a steal for what you get. Already looking up places to buy one? Check out our Ford listings, where you'll find several Ford Mustangs for sale.
The Hennessey Ford Mustang Mach 1 is the ultimate evolution of an already impressive muscle car, combining the Mach 1's track-focused features with the power it deserves. Driving one almost feels on par with the Mach 1's more powerful siblings, which begs the question, is it the better purchase? Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today.
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