1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS (California Special) in Ft Worth, Texas

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!