Vehicle Description
Ford's Mustang rocked the automotive world when it was released in
mid-'64, debuting to rave reviews and unprecedented sales success.
But fast forward a few years later and, while sales were still
plenty strong, the "pony car" category was getting a little
crowded, with Ford feeling some heat from increased competition.
Recognizing that a full 20% of all Mustang sales occurred in their
own state, the California Ford Dealers got together to market a
factory-built, limited edition version of the Mustang that would
give the model a sort of "handmade" cache. This unrestored 1968
Ford Mustang California Special, with a rebuilt engine and
transmission, is a bona fide member of that select original and
highly coveted group and comes with a letter of authenticity from
Ford, a Marti Report and is listed in the GT/CS registry.
This '68 still features its original code T - Candy Apple Red
paint, and what a great shade it is, with plenty of tasteful flash
to it. The signature black decals running down its front fenders
and doors still have sharp edges and have resisted any serious
fading, and the body panels remain well aligned, allowing the doors
to open and close smoothly. Those distinct features the California
Ford Dealers chose to add on all those years ago - the fog lights
and hood pins up front, side scoops on the flanks and the rear
spoiler and elongated tail lights are all well-represented here,
and their overall impact really did create that "custom-built" look
the Ford Dealers were going for. Being a California car, this
California Special has also had the fortune of being away from the
salted, corrosive roads found in much of the country, so you'll
find none of the half-eaten rocker and quarter panels you so often
see in vintage Mustangs.
The interior remains clad in the same black vinyl it rolled off the
factory assembly line with, still in very good shape considering
its age. The dash area looks especially fresh, with the instrument
cluster carrying a textured black finish that's still very close to
its original hue, with gauges all still easily readable behind
clear lenses. A vintage-look AM/FM with iPod connectivity sits in
the middle of the dash, offering far more audio options than its
predecessor could. The factory air conditioning remains in fine
form, more than capable of keeping you and your occupants
comfortable through the well-located factory-installed registers.
Mustang attained a nice degree of functionality with the Mustang
interiors of this era and you'll find that, despite the car's
fairly modest size, there's more passenger legroom in both front
and back than you'd likely expect. A full-sized spare with nearly
all of its tread remaining sits in back in the trunk, which is
lined in signature Ford plaid.
In addition to their unique exterior features, California Specials
were also well-equipped mechanically. There's a 289-cubic inch V8
under the hood and, with just a little over 1500 miles under its
belt since its rebuild (transmission too) and the documentation to
prove it, it's just getting broken in, idling well and pulling
smoothly. It's C4 3-speed automatic transmission is known for its
durability and snaps through the gears smoothly for a comfortable
ride. Out back, 2.79 gears make it a superlative highway cruiser
and modern components in the A/C system mean this is a car you can
drive coast-to-coast. Standard chrome GT wheels are part of the CS
package and carry 215/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A radials all around.
If you're looking for a rare classic Ford that combines serious
collectability with all the vintage Ford charisma you could
possibly want, you have to check out this 1968 Ford Mustang
California Special. Call today!
