First Generation
The 1970 Mustang softened the 1969 front-end treatment with inner grille headlamps, deleted the rear-quarter scoops, kept Mach 1, Boss 302, Boss 429, Grande, and Cobra Jet performance alive, and marked the end of first-era Shelby Mustang titling.
| Model / Body Style | Units | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hardtop | 82,569 | Body / trim |
| Grande hardtop | 13,581 | Body / trim |
| SportsRoof | 45,934 | Body / trim |
| Mach 1 SportsRoof | 40,970 | Body / trim |
| Convertible | 7,673 | Body / trim |
| Mach 1 | 40,970 | Special edition |
| Boss 302 | Disputed: 7,013 / 6,318 | Special edition |
| Boss 429 | Disputed: 499 / 500 | Special edition |
| Grande | 13,581 | Special edition |
| Shelby GT350 | Disputed: 789 / 315 | Special edition |
| Shelby GT500 | Disputed: 789 / 286 | Special edition |
| Twister Special | 96 | Special edition |
| Code | Engine | Induction | HP | Torque | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | 200 cid Thriftpower inline-six | 1-barrel | 120 | 190 | Base six-cylinder engine |
| L | 250 cid Thriftpower inline-six | 1-barrel | 155 | 240 | Optional six-cylinder engine |
| F | 302 cid Windsor small-block V8 | 2-barrel | 220 | 300 | Base V8 |
| H | 351 cid Cleveland V8 | 2-barrel | 250 | 355 | 351C 2V option after early Windsor use |
| M | 351 cid Cleveland V8 | 4-barrel | 300 | 385 | 351C 4V performance option |
| G | 302 cid Boss 302 V8 | 4-barrel | 290 | 290 | Boss 302 only |
| Q | 428 cid Cobra Jet V8 | 4-barrel | 335 | 440 | Non-Ram Air Cobra Jet / Super Cobra Jet |
| R | 428 cid Ram Air Cobra Jet V8 | 4-barrel | 335 | 440 | Ram Air Cobra Jet / Super Cobra Jet |
| Z | 429 cid Boss 429 V8 | 4-barrel | 375 | 450 | Boss 429 homologation model |
Counts distinguish verified production records, attributed reports, disputed figures, announced limits, and figures that do not survive in available records.
| Option or package | Ford code | Market | Availability | Units | Count status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SelectAire Air Conditioning In-dash air conditioning system. | — | United States | Regular-production option. | Unknown | Research incomplete |
| Shaker Hood Scoop Functional engine-mounted fresh-air scoop protruding through the hood. | — | United States | Available with performance V8 engines. | Unknown | Research incomplete |
| Front and Rear Spoilers Front and rear spoiler package for SportsRoof models. | — | United States | Available on SportsRoof models. | Unknown | Research incomplete |
| Rear Window Sports Slats Louvered rear-window slats for SportsRoof models. | — | United States | SportsRoof-only regular-production option. | Unknown | Research incomplete |
| Power Steering Power-assisted steering system. | — | United States | Regular-production option. | Unknown | Research incomplete |
| Power Front Disc Brakes Front disc brakes with vacuum power assist. | — | United States | Regular-production option. | Unknown | Research incomplete |
| Production | 40,970 built |
|---|---|
| Identity | The SportsRoof-only performance and appearance package remained the center of mainstream Mustang performance. |
| Body / basis | SportsRoof-based special or package. |
| Distinctive equipment | Hood treatment, suspension and appearance upgrades, optional Shaker scoop, spoilers, and rear-window SportSlats. |
| Why it matters | Mach 1 branding ties the year to Mustang performance-image history. |
| Production |
Reported: 7,013
Heacock Classic's Boss overview
Reported 1970 Boss 302 model-year production. Currently the leading reported value; no factory ledger has been inspected.
Reported: 6,318
Hemmings 1969-1970 Boss 302 Buyer's Guide
Reported 1970 Boss 302 model-year production. The same guide's FAQ instead reports 7,013 for both years.
Published Boss 302 counts conflict and no factory ledger has been inspected. Each reported value is listed with its source and scope.
|
|---|---|
| Identity | The second Boss 302 year added the 1970 front-end look, hockey-stick stripes, revised details, and a Hurst shifter. |
| Body / basis | Factory or dealer-recognized Mustang variant. Authenticate with original paperwork and package-specific equipment. |
| Distinctive equipment | The second Boss 302 year added the 1970 front-end look, hockey-stick stripes, revised details, and a Hurst shifter. |
| Why it matters | Homologation, road-course, or high-output performance identity that enthusiasts track closely. |
| Production |
Reported: 499
Hot Rod
Reported 1970 Boss 429 units. Heacock's 1970 feature independently repeats 499.
Reported: 500
Heacock Classic's Boss overview
Reported size of the 1970 Boss 429 run as launched. Described as the run launched, which may differ from cars completed.
Published 1970 Boss 429 counts conflict. Ford's retrospective gives 1,359 for the whole 1969-1970 run without a year split, which does not reconcile cleanly with either 857 + 499 or 859 + 499.
|
|---|---|
| Identity | Final Boss 429 year, still Kar Kraft-modified for the wide semi-hemi 429 and NASCAR homologation identity. |
| Body / basis | Factory or dealer-recognized Mustang variant. Authenticate with original paperwork and package-specific equipment. |
| Distinctive equipment | Final Boss 429 year, still Kar Kraft-modified for the wide semi-hemi 429 and NASCAR homologation identity. |
| Why it matters | Homologation, road-course, or high-output performance identity that enthusiasts track closely. |
| Production | 13,581 built |
|---|---|
| Identity | Luxury hardtop with extra sound deadening and upscale interior trim. |
| Body / basis | Hardtop/coupe-based special or trim. |
| Distinctive equipment | Luxury hardtop with extra sound deadening and upscale interior trim. |
| Why it matters | Package-specific trim, colors, and paperwork drive authenticity and value. |
| Production |
Reported: 789
Wikipedia's Shelby Mustang article, footnoted
Reported combined 1970 GT350+GT500 re-VIN count from unsold 1969 stock; not split by model. Corroborated by theshelbycars-1969-1970-shelby-production and mustangspecs-1970-shelby-production-numbers, neither of which splits by model.
Reported: 315
Widely repeated in enthusiast sources; MustangCarFacts has not located an originating publication
Widely-repeated reported 1970 GT350-specific production figure. Not corroborated by any source checked in the 2026-07-27 research pass; conflicts with the 789 combined total if GT500's 286 is also accepted (315 + 286 = 601, not 789).
The widely-repeated figure of 315 units for this model could not be corroborated by any source checked in this pass. Wikipedia's Shelby Mustang article, TheShelbyCars.com, and MustangSpecs' dedicated 1970 Shelby production page (which lists the 1970 GT350 and GT500 totals individually as "Missing") instead agree on a combined GT350+GT500 total of 789 cars re-VIN'd from unsold 1969 stock, with no per-model split. The 315 figure is preserved as an unsourced reported alternative; it is not promoted as settled.
|
|---|---|
| Identity | Remaining 1969-built Shelby cars retitled for 1970 with a chin spoiler and hood stripes. |
| Body / basis | Fastback-based performance or appearance model; a 1970 re-titling of unsold 1969 stock, not new production. |
| Distinctive equipment | Remaining 1969-built Shelby cars retitled for 1970 with detail updates: a front chin spoiler and unique dual hood stripes. |
| Why it matters | Shelby/SVT association makes it central to Mustang performance history and collector interest. |
| Production |
Reported: 789
TheShelbyCars.com, crediting SAAC
Reported combined 1970 GT350+GT500 re-VIN count from unsold 1969 stock; not split by model. Corroborated by shelby-mustang and mustangspecs-1970-shelby-production-numbers, neither of which splits by model.
Reported: 286
Widely repeated in enthusiast sources; MustangCarFacts has not located an originating publication
Widely-repeated reported 1970 GT500-specific production figure. Not corroborated by any source checked in the 2026-07-27 research pass; conflicts with the 789 combined total if GT350's 315 is also accepted (315 + 286 = 601, not 789).
The widely-repeated figure of 286 units for this model could not be corroborated by any source checked in this pass; see the Shelby GT350 record for the same finding and the corroborated 789 combined total.
|
|---|---|
| Identity | Final first-era Shelby GT500 titling before the Shelby Mustang name disappeared for decades. |
| Body / basis | Shelby/SVT-backed performance variant; a 1970 re-titling of unsold 1969 stock, not new production. |
| Distinctive equipment | Final first-era Shelby GT500 titling before the Shelby Mustang name disappeared for decades. |
| Why it matters | Shelby/SVT association makes it central to Mustang performance history and collector interest. |
| Production | 96 built |
|---|---|
| Identity | Kansas City District special, most famously associated with Grabber Orange Mach 1s and unique tornado decals. |
| Body / basis | Factory or dealer-recognized Mustang variant. Authenticate with original paperwork and package-specific equipment. |
| Distinctive equipment | Kansas City District special based on Grabber Orange Mach 1s, with unique tornado decals and Drag Pack suspension. Cars were originally intended to carry the 428 Super Cobra Jet, but an engine shortage meant roughly half the run instead received the 351 Cleveland 4V. |
| Why it matters | Regional, commemorative, or event-linked Mustang that collectors identify by unique trim and story. |
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