Mustangs make wonderful hobby vehicles because all the virtues that made them so successful when they were new remain true today. They're stylish, affordable, easy to fix, and fun to drive. When you have a top that goes down, the fun goes up in a big way, and it's important to note that not all Mustangs (in fact, only a fraction of them) were actual tire-shredding monsters. Most, like this 1970 convertible, were merely pleasant cars that could be used every day for basic transportation with a bit of style.

The most important thing to note about this 1970 Mustang convertible is that it isn't a perfect car, so don't get your hopes up after seeing the price. It is not a show car and does need some TLC. But with that said, I'd like to tell you about the car and its many virtues, because both the car and the story behind it are worthy. It's had just two owners from new, including the current family who have owned it since 1979. It has not seen severe weather (not even rain!) in those 35 years and aside from a single repaint sometime back in the early 1980s, it remains almost completely original. It is the best kind of car to own, one that has not only been cherished and treated as part of the family for decades, but one that was owned by a person who knew about mechanical things, and that included maintaining his pride and joy Mustang in peak mechanical condition. There are signs of its long family history everywhere you look, most notably on the trunk lid where a faint "JUST MARRIED" can still be seen, a leftover from a well-meaning groomsman with some shaving cream on a hot summer day. It may not matter to you (unless you're getting married, I suppose), but it's the kind of tangible history that adds to this little car's appeal. Few cars have been loved like this Mustang.

Now, bear in mind that this car really photographs well, and while the photos haven't been doctored or altered in any way, they don't tell the full story. Most critically, this car has never been rusty or in an accident, so all the factory sheetmetal is not only very straight, but incredibly solid as well. As I said, it hasn't seen rain since 1979 and before that, it is obvious that snow is a four-letter word. It really is that good. The bright red paint is decades old, an inexpensive respray in its original color, but it is definitely showing its age with some checking and lots of touch-ups over the years, most notably some spraying of the rocker panels, which took some abuse from debris sprayed by the front tires. The owner tried to remedy that situation with some horrendous aftermarket mud flaps, but we removed them as soon as the car hit our showroom and it is all the better for it. There are no dents, no accident repairs, not even any parking lot dings in its flanks, which is really impressive. The chrome is quite nice for being original, particularly the bumpers, and the grille and tail panel are in excellent shape. The brightwork needs nothing but a quick polish to be ready to go anywhere, more proof that this car had it easy.

The interior is the same story: complete, intact, usable as-is, but tired. The white bucket seats are original save for the lower cushion insert on the driver's side, which appears to be an ancient replacement. We spent a few hours giving the upholstery a deep cleaning and it's about 70% better than it was, but it's not as sparkling white as it appears in the photos. The good news is that it's probably usable as-is, and if you want to replace everything, reproduction seat covers, door panels, and carpets are very inexpensive and you can do everything yourself in a weekend. The dash pad is in excellent condition with no fading or cracking and the original gauges appear to be fully functional with only light fading on their faces. This car is equipped with factory A/C which is not currently functional but all the parts are there and it probably would not be difficult to get it back into shape. The original AM radio works perfectly and the power convertible top practically leaps out of the top well when you hit the button. That top is probably an older replacement, but it may even be the original top, and like the interior it's a little grungy but not ripped or torn and still has a lot of life left in it, especially if your only use for it is in emergencies. The trunk carries an original mat and a full-sized spare with jack assembly, and there are no signs of trouble underneath or deep in the quarter panels. This is a really clean car.

The engine is Ford's venerable 250 cubic inch inline-six, which was an upgrade over the standard 200 cubic inch version. It's torquey and smooth and runs beautifully. The 93,649 miles shown on the odometer are undoubtedly authentic, but the car runs like it has a fraction of that figure. It starts almost instantly, even after sitting for a while, and idles smoothly without complaint, cold or hot. There's a very slight exhaust leak that disappears as soon as it's up to temperature and it makes good oil pressure and doesn't smoke. Out on the road, it pulls smoothly and energetically without feeling like it's working too hard and has a great six-cylinder grumble from the single exhaust system. The 3-speed automatic transmission shifts easily and although the steering and brakes are unassisted, this lightweight convertible doesn't seem to need power assists. Thanks to careful maintenance over the years, the suspension feels taut and buttoned-down and there are almost no squeaks and rattles in the car, a testament to proper care over the decades. The brakes feel confident and it goes exactly where you point it on the open road. There are a set of Firestone whitewall radials on plain steel wheels with dog-dish hubcaps, and none of them are doing the car any favors, but imagine a set of shiny styled steel wheel covers or even Magnum 500s with those tires turned inside-out… A great look that's very affordable!

This isn't a show car and it does need some TLC. But the most important thing to note is that it's got the basics down pat, with a great body that won't surprise you later or scare your painter away. The mechanicals are very good and it can be enjoyed as-is while you fix it up. As a six, it is economical to feed, repair, and insure, and at this price it's a viable alternative to, say, a 10-year-old Honda. Seat belts were standard equipment in Mustangs, so it's relatively safe for its vintage, and the important stuff is fully functional.

What I'm saying is that this Mustang represents inexpensive fun that can be upgraded along the way. It'll never be worth enough to justify a full restoration, but it doesn't really need it. Get a quickie paint job, throw some replacement seat covers in there, maybe some new carpets, and you're having fun in a great Mustang convertible for less than half the price of a new one. That's pretty hard to resist, isn't it?