The Ford Mustang was the post-war success story from Detroit, but Ford encountered issues selling the model in Germany. It seems that a company that built trucks owned the rights to the name. Our Pick of the Day, a 1970 Ford T5 SportsRoof, is one of the cars that served as a work-around for that problem. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Click this link to view the listing.)
The issue with the Mustang fell upon Krupp, a steel company that is currently known as ThyssenKrupp. Krupp’s history includes artillery, railways, tanks, and trucks, and it was the latter’s production from 1951 until 1968 that gave Ford fits until the trademark expired in 1973. This was the reason the Ford Mustang had another name in Germany. Where did T5 come from? That was Ford’s internal code for the original Mustang as it took shape. Why call the production vehicle T5? I can only suspect that branding a Mustang with another name was not an effective use of branding.
The 1970 Mustang was a facelift of the redesigned 1969 version. Most noticeable were the elimination of the outboard headlights (which were replaced with nonfunctional intakes), smoothed rear fenders without nonfunctional brake scoops, and recessed taillights. Equipment was quite similar but with trim variations depending on model. “Houndstooth vinyl roofs, two-tone hoods, rear spoilers, and Sport Slats help the buyer style his own car to suit his individual tastes,” claimed Ford in a dealer book. Under the hood, the biggest change was the introduction of the 351 Cleveland, available in 2V or 4V form (though some cars received 2V Windsors).
Engine availability was as follows: It started with a 120-horsepower 200ci straight-six, though one could opt for a 250ci version with 155 horses; for V8s, the range began with a 220-horse 302-2V and went to a 250-horse 351-2V, 300-horse 351-4V, or 335-horse 428 Cobra Jet and 428 CJ with ram air induction. The Shaker hood scoop was included with the latter and available with either 351. Boss 302 and Boss 429 packages also were available for the SportsRoof.
This Medium Lime Metallic 1970 Ford T5 SportsRoof is one of 377 T5s built for 1970, of which 143 were SportsRoofs of some sort. Looking at the Marti Report, we see that 57 were regular SportsRoofs, with the balance being Mach 1s. This document also notes the equipment list, including a 302-2V with an automatic transmission, a Sport Deck folding rear seat, a console, power steering and front disc brakes, an AM radio, wheel covers, an HD export suspension, accessory packaging (presumably, for exports), and Firestone E78 x 14 blackwall tires.
“This example has been fully restored over the last few years,” says the seller. As you can see, this T5 has been slightly modified with 1969 Mach 1-esque stripes and a 1970 Mach 1 grille; the spoiler, Sport Slats, and Magnum 500s have been added. It’s glorious with a German twist, which gives it novelty that no other Mustang can match. For $69,900 (OBO), you can have endless enjoyment with your pretzel pony car.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
