It isn’t rare for an owner to restore a classic, use it regularly for a short period, and then squirrel it away in a garage. Often, this is because they worry that the vehicle they have devoted tons of time and money into over could be damaged, although the car will still come out occasionally for a weekend cruise or a trip to a show. This 1968 Mustang Convertible is different because it has hibernated for more than twenty-seven years following its restoration. It shows promise, so the time has come for it to break free from its shackles and emerge into the light of day. It is listed here on Craigslist in Tilton, New Hampshire. It could be yours for $22,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this promising revival candidate.
The listing indicates this Mustang underwent total restoration by a Ford mechanic. They enjoyed their handiwork for one summer before parking the car in its current location. That was in 1995, and it hasn’t moved a foot since. The extent of the restoration is unclear, but the photos suggest the Convertible might be rust-free. There are no problems visible in the photos or mentioned in the listing. The images are inconclusive, meaning some potential buyers may want to negotiate an in-person inspection. The Acapulco Blue paint looks good below the dust layer, as does the White soft-top. The time in storage hasn’t been without its dramas. A dent in the driver’s side rear quarter panel requires attention, but it is repairable. The trim and chrome look good, and I suspect that a thorough wash and polish could have this Mustang presenting nicely as a river-grade classic.
Tackling this Mustang’s interior shortcomings could be easy because it looks like some high-quality cleaning products, dust cloths, and a vacuum cleaner might be all that is required. The lack of use following the restoration means it remains in good order. There is a consistent dust layer but no evidence of wear or other problems. The Blue vinyl looks excellent, as do the carpet and dash. There are aftermarket kick panels housing speakers, suggesting there might be a relatively modern stereo in there. The wheel wears a wrap, but I can’t spot any other additions. The longer I look at this interior, the more my fingers itch as I long to give it the clean it deserves.
Powering this Mustang is a T-Code 200ci six that sent 115hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. This was the most conservative combination offered in 1968, providing a ¼-mile ET of 20.1 seconds and a top speed of 94mph. Neither figure would satisfy those with performance leanings, but they would allow the car to work effectively on the open road or as a relaxed boulevard cruiser. Some readers would probably opt to swap the engine and transmission combination for something more powerful, and that would be a valid and understandable choice. However, with the restoration performed by a Ford mechanic, it may be that a revival of this Convertible in its current form would be easy and inexpensive. With summer just around the corner, that could be a tempting short-term approach while the new owner develops their future plans. The seller recently fitted new tires to provide the buyer with a starting point for the revival process.
The new owner of this 1968 Mustang Convertible has choices to make, and it will be fascinating to gauge reader feedback on the subject. The photos are inconclusive, but they don’t reveal any rust issues. The single panel imperfection would seem an easy repair, and the robust drivetrain might revive with minimal effort. If this all proves correct, returning it to active service in the short term could be possible. From there, what would be your plan? Is preservation the right path, or would an engine upgrade to something more potent prove impossible to resist? Over to you.
Nice.
I’d leave the 6 in it.
Get it roadworthy
Make it a weekend driver.
I agree with ya fella even a low output V8 will munch the axle and once the upgrades start, they never end. I had a coupe of the same year that went 300K before I was runover by a 3/4-ton pickup — that was a sad afternoon
Ditto, Jon and Todd. I would go over it completely to get it road worthy and cruise to the local Cars and Coffee. There’s plenty of HO Mustangs out there already, they won’t miss one more. Keeping it original will increase its collectivity.
So….relatively speaking my 1970-1/2 Ford Falcon that went 20.17 in the 1/4 mile with the 250 – in-line six was quite the performer….lol!
Leave it alone . Nice sunny day cruises.
I see a lot of paw 🐾 prints on the windshield
They went through the “hassle” of getting new tires mounted (and balanced?) and then installed them on the car, but they couldn’t be bothered to pull her out of the garage and then give her a clean?
I mean, we all love to see them in their barn find condition, it IS the draw of this site.. hence the name.. and why we’re here… BUT I don’t think any of us would leave her this way and drag her to cruise nights, shows, etc… We’d clean and detail her, make sure she’s running/driving correctly/safely and then drive her and enjoy.
Gotta love his description… no mention if she even rolls or turns over. LOL Face in Hand
I’d leave it as is, be a good driver, I’d even feel ok with my wife driving it. That said I would still need something V8 in my garage to satisfy my needs
My brother had a 1968 Mustang convertible. He bought it brand new back in 68. For some reason he sold the car to my dad. In which he let his secretary use it for work purposes. One night she decided to take it for a spin with one of her friends and rolled it. My dad had it fixed up as best that he could, and I got to drive it. The car wasn’t the same after the accident. Dad diden’t want to spend the money to restore it. I don’t know what happen to the insurance money. Later dad sold the car to a 2nd year auto body repair student. About six years later the student came by with the car all totally restored. He replaced the black top with a white top, and put a different hood on it. He did a vary good job on it. It was still yellow. He said it sat in he back yard for a couple of years before he got around to it. I sure wished we would have kept that car.
Having a 6 banger is way more than dumping a in BOSS 429 and having a nice day. Theres the 6 vs v8 suspension stuff to swap plus those cheesy 6 banger 4 lug wheels. anyone source an OEM dual exhaust muffler lately? That was ruff in 1971 whan I did a 289 unit. Leave it as is…
If you want a V8, go buy a V8. I was getting a black Bird painted once and I asked the painter to maybe switch to red. He looked me and said ” it’s black. If you want a red one, go buy a red one. This one is black”. I never forgot his words.
If you have a ton of money time on your hands drop a coyote in it do the suspense work slap a 6 speed in her and a 9 in rear end and then your set. The up grades will never end. My self keep the 6 repair what needs she has then turn on some cc revival and enjoy the cruise.
You want more power? Just add a turbo. Leave the rest all original and have a great time. These are fun cars, especially convertibles. Leave high performance to the coupes/fastbacks and drive an original. Good luck, and a nice article too.
I had a black 67 coupe with the six and a three speed. Still a fun car. I also would leave the 6 in it. Put the top down and enjoy.