1968 Ford Mustang Coupe
1-Owner California Car, 68K Miles, 289ci 4-Speed
1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, One-Owner California Car, 289ci 4-Speed Coupe with only 68,000 original miles, owned by a fascinating lady with an interesting history.
I was contacted last May by a friend of the 92-year-old owner of this very special Mustang. With such low mileage and such an interesting story, I couldn't resist! The owner, Vi, ("quite the looker!" according to her friend, John), worked for the State Department. When her beloved Sunbeam Tiger was dropped from a transport truck and totaled she needed a new fast car to take on her worldly adventures. This special Mustang was her choice. While working in the United States Embassy in Mexico City she ordered this brand new Mustang with a rare "92" DSO code, (one of only 724 ordered for export) from Ford Motor Company Figeso in New Jersy with 289ci V8, Manual 4-speed transmission, Louvered Hood, Power Disc Brakes, Power Steering and AM Radio. It was sent to United States Embassy in Mexico City in May of 1968. A couple of years later she was reassigned to the Embassy in Guatemala and the car followed. While she rarely drove her car while on assignment, she did like to have it with her just in case. In or around 1970 she was reassigned to Washington DC, her special Mustang shipped to the Capital parking garage and again, rarely used. There is a cardboard sign in the trunk that was put in the window when shipped that will be included with the car. You'll also see the Washington DC Metropolitan Police window sticker permit still affixed to the right, rear window. By the early 70's she moved back to her high-rise apartment building in San Francisco where if the car wasn't being used for local errands it was in her subterranean parking structure.
When I first saw the car I knew I had come across quite the time capsule. Vi was hoping that someone would make the car look beautiful again so my work was cut out for me. I entered the parking garage and saw this gem under the dust and was excited to get it out for a drive. She mechanically maintained it well throughout its life. I drove it 60 miles back to Sonoma from San Francisco with no issues. While the car ran nicely we decided to replace the front brakes and install a fresh set of correct whitewall tires. (The old tires had plenty of tread but had hardened with age). We went through and made sure all the services were current to ensure its reliability. The car starts; runs and drives beautifully with excellent braking, suspension, and shifting. The new tires make handling quick and responsive. The undercarriage, floors and inner rockers are rust-free, original and unscathed. The car even has it's original exhaust and muffler and sounds great.
Due to its life indoors the original interior has been remarkably well preserved. The rugs had been covered and the car rarely had passengers. The dash has no cracking and the gauges, switches, and interior trim look very nice. She had the armrests recovered at some point, we have a new set and will include those with the car. The trunk was pretty neat and tidy but the original trunk mat and tire cover weren't so good. I replaced those to freshen it up.
Next was the exterior. The car was originally Wimbledon White. Being a San Francisco car that was primarily used locally it had suffered a few minor bruises and scrapes over the years so in the late 1980's she had a consumer level repaint. In addition, the original trim around the car was fairly pitted and I just didn't want to send this special car off like this. We stripped most of the chrome and trim from the car and had the front and rear valances repainted. The car was polished and detailed and new trim installed. We also installed factory style wheel lip molding and upgraded the hubcaps. While the body still has a handful of minor blemishes, it presents well. My goal was to preserve what was already well preserved and improve what wasn't. I will include all of the original trim and parts with the car should it's new, second owner wish to have these.
This is a great opportunity to be the second owner of a very original and low mileage 289 4-speed Mustang with the rarest of DSO designations, a well-preserved car with a clear history and great story. The Marti Report is attached here.
Warranty Number: 8F01C174263
Year: 8 1968
Plant: F Dearborn, MI
Body Series: 01 2 Door
Hardtop
Engine: C 289 2v V8
Unit: 174263
Miscellaneous Vehicle Data
Body: 65A 2 Door Hardtop,
Standard Interior
Color: M Wimbledon White
Trim: 2K Lt. Aqua Crinkle
Vinyl and Dk. Aqua Kiwi Vinyl, Standard Interior
Date: 15D April 15, 1968
D.S.O: 92 Export
Axle: 2 2.79:1,
Conventional
Trans: 5 4-Speed Manual
Available for inspection, call Donn anytime at 707-332-8331.
