A redesigned engine bay let the 1967 Mustang swallow Ford’s powerful 390 and 428 cubic inch V8s, making ’67 the last year of the K-code “Hi-Po” 289. Only 489 non-Shelby Hi-Po Mustangs hit the streets in ’67, and the seller of this 1967 Mustang Hardtop in Kansas City, Missouri claims this is one. This barn-stored pony comes to auction here on eBay with a rebuilt title and plenty of dust. As we head to press, a single $1000 bid breaks the ice, a fitting response to the as-is presentation lacking documentation of the “numbers matching” and K-code claims. Thanks to MotorTrend and MyRod Classic Cars for some details.
I won’t attempt to identify this as a K-code 289. The carburetor looks big enough, but not exactly the Holley carb and Hi-Po specific intake manifold in this K-code picture. Of course, these could have been swapped in later. The fact that most Hi-Po ’67s became Shelby GT350 Mustangs should validate the potency of the high-strung small block. The K-code 289 cid (4.7L) V8 made 271 HP with a solid lifter cam, special rods and crank, a dual point distributor, and more. The full-on racing version could top 350 HP, according to MotorTrend.
With your imagination and an Internet search, you can picture the possibilities based on this dusty interior. The headliner is gone, and the dashboard is severely warped, but new parts can replace nearly anything on this classic. If you pare the production numbers down to 1967 K-code hardtops (120) with automatic transmission (43), this could be one rare car. Rare cars may “sell themselves,” but this one deserves greater effort.
I’ll go out on a limb and wager the branded title and long time off the road came from a rear-end collision, but that is only a guess. The Hi-Po 289 would have appealed to buyers with cornering in mind, and this hardtop might carry a bit of a “sleeper” vibe in a world of Eleanor clones. Do you think this dusty hardtop is a real K-code ‘stang?
Interesting that it has what appears to be a 1968 steering wheel
Sounds like a good story we have read before. A Martini would make this read a lot better.
I see nothing on the engine that speaks to being a 289 HiPo but there aren’t enough photos from the correct angles to say for sure. He claims it’s all numbers matching but doesn’t back it up with any proof including the original VIN.
The gas cap is also a 1968 item. “Bought by my grandfather in 68.” No VIN provided, and yet it’s the easiest way to document a genuine K-code. Potential buyers beware!
Marti Report ?
They probably don’t know what it is. Likely a 68 J code 302 which is also a special engine, not quite as rare.
This is most definitely a 68 Mustang
The carb is a late model as well, the early vacuum secondary carbs had metal caps on the vacuum motor, not plastic.
Also the rear quarters have the side marker holes for an after February 68 car.
Looks like a 68 to me too. Those are not 67 seats. Vin number would help everyone in identifying this project.
K code did not have vacuum advance distributor, looks like a 68 302
I asked for the VIN yesterday after this was posted and still haven’t heard back
Grandpa could have dented door & switched with a j-yard one, & they got the K off that!
K Code? Who cares? Cars should be about driving, not resale. Set up the engine, anyway you want, then drive and cherish it. I miss the way things used to be. We need to get back to that mindset. I fought for this country, now to watch what has become of it saddens me greatly.