1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1's Advanced Braking System for Track and Street

The Unique Braking System of the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1

The 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is an iconic muscle car from the peak of the classic car era. With its aggressive shark-nosed styling and high-performance 351 cubic-inch V8 engine, the Mach 1 was built for speed. However, what set it apart from many other American pony cars of the time was its advanced braking system.

The Mustang's Standard Brake Specifications

Most V8 Mustangs of the late 60s, including the regular 1970 model, were equipped with power-assisted 11-inch drum brakes on all four wheels. These provided adequate stopping power for regular driving but lacked performance for racetrack-style driving. The Mach 1, however, came standard with a larger and more advanced system.

Front Disc Brakes for Better Performance

The Mach 1 was factory-equipped with power front disc brakes, which were still an uncommon feature on American muscle cars in 1970. These 11-inch vented discs provided far superior stopping power over drums - less fade and better heat dissipation. They greatly improved the Mustang's braking performance capabilities in repeated hard stops.

Unique Rear Drum Brakes

But Ford didn't ignore improving rear braking either. Along with those front discs, the Mach 1 featured 9-inch rear drums - significantly wider than the standard Mustang rear drum size. And these rear drums were finsned on the inside to provide much greater surface area for improved heat dissipation.

Additionally, the rears featured automatic brake adjustment - the brake shoes would self-adjust outward to maintain full contact with the drums as they wore down. This meant more consistent and reliable rear brake performance before needing manual service.

How the Mach 1 Brakes Improved Track Performance

This specially equipped brake system made a tremendous difference for the Mach 1 on the track. Compared to standard Mustangs, the bigger discs, fins, and automatic adjusters allowed harder, repeated brake application before fade or failure.

Reduced Fading

The more advanced brakes meant much higher fade resistance on the race track. The key was heat dissipation - by providing larger components with increased surface area, brake temperatures could remain lower during heavy track use. Thus the Mach 1 could handle long sessions of hard acceleration and braking without the typical fading issues.

Better Balance and Control

The Mach 1 also benefited from improved front to rear brake bias and balance with this system. The vented front discs provided substantial stopping power, while the wider, heat-resistant rear drums kept up instead of locking or slipping early. This gave drivers better control when attempting hard stops at high speeds.

Durability Under Stress

Not only did these brakes perform better than standard equipment on a short-term basis - their ruggedness also meant maintained performance with prolonged track abuse. The self-adjusting rear drums extended pad life by keeping the shoes properly gapped as they wore. And the discs used metallic compound pads rated for high heat tolerance.

The Complete High-Performance Package

When combined with its upgraded suspension components, wider tires, and a limited-slip differential, the Mach 1 brake system played an integral role in the Mustang's reputation as a world class performer right off the showroom floor. It could handle the streets easily, yet sustain high speeds on track days without the typical weaknesses.

Of course, many enthusiasts still chose to upgrade with aftermarket brake components - even larger discs, multi-piston calipers, and metallic pads. But for 1970, the Mach 1 brakes were a substantial factory upgrade that matched the car's high horsepower and torque nicely.

Built to Stop as Fast as it Goes

While many muscle car owners focused solely on top speed and acceleration, Ford engineers made sure the Mach 1 platform could brake with equal prowess. It was meant for both drag racing and road course duty. And its rugged brake system upgrades backed up the "high-performance" marketing claim beautifully.

Over fifty years later, that well-designed braking hardware is still respected as being advanced for its time. As the Mach 1 continues to gain value as an iconic collectible, its total performance package - including brakes - looks better than ever.

FAQs

What size front brake discs did the 1970 Mach 1 have?

The 1970 Mach 1 was equipped with 11-inch vented front brake discs. These were power assisted and significantly larger than the standard Mustang front drums.

Did the Mach 1 have rear discs brakes?

No, the 1970 Mach 1 still used rear drum brakes. However, they were wider, 9-inch finsned rear drums which provided better heat dissipation than standard rear drums.

What is finsned rear drums?

The finsned rear brake drums on the Mach 1 had internal fins cast into the drums. These increased the interior drum surface area for improved cooling, allowing the rear brakes to dissipate heat better during hard driving.

Could the Mach 1 brake system be upgraded?

Yes, many Mach 1 owners chose to upgrade the factory brake system even further. Common upgrades included even larger front discs, 4-piston calipers, metallic compound brake pads, and improved brake fluid for extreme track use.