1968 Ford Mustang GT California Special

Description

This 1968 Ford Mustang GT California Special is one of those special limited-edition cars that you just don't see all that often. Specially built for (obviously) California, it has a number of Shelby-inspired design features, and this particular Meadowlark Yellow coupe shows just 57,087 original miles and comes with a long list of options, including factory A/C.

You might want to brush up on your GT/CS history because everyone is going to ask you about this car when you're out driving. This GT coupe includes a set of Marchal driving lights in the grille, a set of hood pins, side scoops in the quarters with "GT/CS" right on them, and a Shelby-style ducktail spoiler and Thunderbird sequential taillights out back. There are rumors that this car is based on a coupe that Shelby intended to build but never did, but at every show you're going to get at least one wise guy who will tell you that Shelby never built a coupe. That's when you point at the GT/CS emblems and tell him the story. In the meantime, he can admire the beautiful yellow paint, which was done a few years ago and while not perfect, looks pretty darned nice with those black decals on top. You also get nice chrome, surprisingly good panel fit, and unique "California Special" emblems on the quarters. This is a car that stands out.

The interior carries black bucket seats and a neatly restored black interior. Fresh carpets, correct door panels, and a deluxe steering wheel make this California Special feel, well, special, and the original owner saw fit to load it up with options, including A/C (could use a recharge), power steering, power brakes, and upgraded gauges that include all the auxiliary dials. An AM/FM/cassette head unit replaces the original AM radio, which is always a nice upgrade if you're going to go driving, and the automatic transmission shifter right there in the center of everything looks great. We're guessing it's a combination of restored and original equipment, but it has a nice all-of-a-piece look. Even the trunk is neatly finished with correct mats and what might even be the original spare tire under its own matching cover.

A glance at the VIN indicates that this car carries a C-code 289 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor, and that is indeed what you'll find under the hood today. It starts easily and runs great, offering plenty of torque and a smooth demeanor. It's also very well detailed, with Ford Blue engine enamel, a correct air cleaner, and that big A/C compressor up top. That is believed to be the car's original engine, but with so few miles, we're guessing that it has never been opened, just detailed. The C4 3-speed automatic transmission shifts cleanly and with 2.79 gears in the 8-inch rear end, this California Special is built to cruise the highways. The undercarriage is very clean, with lots of new parts and clean floors that don't show any haphazard patch work. There's also a mellow dual exhaust system that surely adds a few horsepower to the 289 and as a GT, it does have power front disc brakes. There's a new gas tank sitting out back and GT-spec styled steel wheels look great with vintage G70x14 Cooper tires that nail the 1960s performance look.

Documented with a Marti Report, this is a rare opportunity to own a Mustang that gets everyone talking. Call today!