August 21, 2023 Update – After several months of no sale on our website, the seller decided to list their Mach 1 another way.  We thank him for the opportunity and wish him nothing but the best.

July 19, 2023 Update – The seller just reduced their asking price to $20,500.

March 22, 2023 Update – The high bid did not meet the seller’s reserve price of $23,900, so we’ve moved this vehicle to our “Rides Still Available Page.”  

GuysWithRides is pleased to offer Lot 192, a Zinc Yellow, 23K-Mile, 2003 Ford Mustang Mach I, in an online, reserve-price auction for the current caretaker.

Bidding opened Wednesday, March 8, 2023, and continues for fourteen (14) consecutive days, ending at 5:00 PM Eastern on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

This 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is part of a private collection in Elgin, Illinois, minutes from O’Hare International Airport in the Chicago suburbs.

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The Deets

High Bid: $12,200 (You can still Buy It Now For $23,900)

Attempting to cash in on the retro success of the 2001 Mustang “Bullitt” Edition, Ford marketers revived the brand’s famed “Mach 1” name in a special edition for the 2003 model year.  Like the Bullitt Edition that preceded it, Mach 1 Mustangs used the thirteen-inch Brembo brakes sourced from the SVT Cobra. Handling improvements came from unique Tokico gas shocks and struts, as well as lower and stiffer springs.

The biggest news for the 2003 Mach 1 was found under the hood.  Known in Mustang circles as the “R” code, all 2003 Mach 1’s came equipped with an all-aluminum, double overhead cam version of Ford’s 4.6 Liter modular V8.  The R-Code 4.6L V8 featured high-flow cylinder heads sourced from the SVT Cobra and intake camshafts sourced from Lincoln’s 5.4 L “InTech” V8 to provide more mid-range torque. Equipped with a 10.1:1 compression ratio and a 6,800 RPM limit for 5-Speed equipped examples, the 305 horsepower 2003 Mach 1 was a substantial performance upgrade over the standard GT of the period.

While the SVT Cobras of the period featured an expensive Independent Rear Suspension, Mach 1’s relied on Ford’s 8.8 solid rear axle equipped with a 3.55 final drive ratio.  The use of this lower-cost axle was the primary driver for keeping Mach 1’s price point between the standard Mustang GT and the SVT Cobra. Ford engineers added special steel-boxed cross-section subframe connectors to improve handling as well as cope with the added torque of the 4.6L V8.

On the exterior, the 2003 Mustang Mach 1 relied heavily on styling influences found on the original 1970 version.  In addition to the matte black spoiler and hood stripe, flat black chin spoiler, Mach 1 rocker panel stripes, and Mach 1 badging on the rear, there were also faux Magnum 500 polished 17×8-inch alloy wheels. A retro-themed interior featured well-bolstered dark grey leather seats upholstered with 1970s-style “Comfort Weave” textures, a 1970s-style gauge cluster, and a machined aluminum shift ball. An optional 18G interior upgrade package included stainless steel pedals, a 4-way head restraint, an aluminum finished shift boot trim ring, door lock posts, and aluminum-look bezels on the dash. The most noticeable difference visually from other Mustangs was the bulging hood with cut-out and the return of a semi-legitimate “Shaker Hood.” While physically identical in placement and function (the scoop is said to be built on the same tooling as the 1970 Mach 1), it only provides a portion of air to the engine, routing to the airbox ahead of the MAF. It does function well as a cold air “snorkel” and a partial Ram Air at speed.

The current caretaker of this Zinc Yellow 2003 Mustang Mach 1 purchased the car in 2022 from the second owner. Other than routine maintenance and thorough detailing, the seller reports their Mach 1 needs nothing but a new owner to enjoy the car.  In addition to having only 23,000 original miles, this 2003 Mach 1 features the desirable 18G Interior Trim Upgrade. Extensive documentation includes the original Monroney label (i.e., “Window Sticker”), warranty and maintenance book, and period-correct sale brochures.

Here is a complimentary CarFax® for this 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 confirming the mileage, ownership, and the fact that this car has never been in an accident. To review the CarFax, please click on the picture below. When finished, click on your browser’s back button to return to this listing:

To help you make informed bids, we’re providing access to Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, that provides an interactive graph of recent comparable sales year-to-date. By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here:

Exterior Gallery

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Interior Gallery

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Underhood And Undercarriage Gallery

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Tires And Wheels Gallery

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Documentation Gallery

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If you have any questions about this Zinc Yellow Ford Mustang Mach 1, please comment below or call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking, and happy bidding!