Mustang GT? Nope. Mach 1? Nyet. Boss 302? Uh-uh. It’s a Mustang alright but just a straight-up ordinary, non-messed with, 1968 Ford Mustang coupe, not exactly an every day find these days. Let’s give this plain-jane pony car a close look. It is located in Lorena, Texas and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,100.
Mustang Specs states that 317K Mustangs were produced in ’68 and 249K (78.5%) were two-door coupes such as our subject car. The fastbacks and convertibles get all of the press but the coupe was the work-a-day volume seller. According to Ford, approximately 42% of ’68 Mustangs were equipped with a six-cylinder engine, making this example one of approximately 104K so equipped.
So, a six it is, a 115 gross HP 200 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine connected to a three-speed automatic transmission. The owner states, “Previous owner replaced engine about 20,000 miles ago. Mileage shows 69938“. Proclaimed to run and drive well, there is no mention as to how many miles are actually on the current engine. The accompanying image would make one think that the motor in residence is well used and was salvaged from a similar car. Further added is, “Have replaced: fuel tank, fuel sender, rubber fuel lines, fuel pump, battery, brake master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, brake shoes, and 2 tires to make safe to drive“. So, it looks like “buy it and drive it” is a possibility.
The finish of this Ford is pretty faded, and there is obvious surface rust but there is no sign of rot or rust-through. The seller suggests that the bumpers should be replaced but straightening and re-chroming should be considered as an option too if originality is the goal. The seller mentions that there is some evidence of body repair having been performed to the driver’s side fender and quarter but it’s not evident in the images. Interesting to see are the before and after cleaning images – it’s a nice inclusion in a listing for a barn find.
The interior is described as being “incredible” and it does look pretty darn good, headliner included. There is no accompanying image of the instrument panel but based on what can be spied from a distance, it looks fine and not in need of attention. Interesting to see is what looks like an under-dash eight-track player – I don’t know how many of those that I went through. Also, I’d have to say that this ’68s steering wheel is a big improvement of the ’67s with the big “knock-yourself-out” knob right in the center.
There is a lot of originality here, with the exception of the replacement engine, of course, but then this Mustang isn’t being portrayed as a number-matching, low production volume muscle car. No, it’s just one of over 100K Ford Mustangs built-in 1968 that has managed to withstand the passage of time, and avoid some misplaced backyard wrenching to covert it into something other than what was originally intended. I see possibilities as it is, how about you?
At a car show, many would not give a basic six-cylinder 1968 Mustang a second look. But some would find it more interesting than the nearby Mustang muscle car, given the basic cars were usually used up and thrown away. This looks like a decent example. The new owner can do whatever they want with it, but I’d vote for leaving it as a tribute to the almost half (thanks Jim for the research/data) which were six-cylinders.
I owned a 68 Camaro. Bought it with a 250 intending to swap in an LS. I accidentally built up the 250… Offy intake, Holley 4 bbl, headers, cam, lump ports, hei…
I won Camaro Nationals 2 years in mild modified with that car and it could do donuts around my buddy’s 950 point 327 Camaro all day long.
https://imgur.com/Es6lAFb
Yep. It got attention. Sounded like np other car too.
Nice job!
Mustang 6 cyl- zero to 60 eventually. I changed my wife’s 65 falcon over to v8, 5 lug rims . power steering, c4. Basically just used the original body. I’d leave this a 6 because if you change it over to v8 you have changed everything. Good luck and happy bidding.
Cheers
GPC
Just an honest old 6cyl mustang.
Wheels, tires, brakes and service the car and drive it and enjoy.
Looks good leave it alone
12k & still rising. You can find one restored in mint condition at 25k and you won’t have to spend 40k to do it up.
And it has a/c too. It might be slow, but you’ll be riding in comfort. Besides remember the story of the turtle and the hare, (as in rabbit). Taken proper care of a car like this will give many miles of pleasurable driving.
God bless America
I would keep it as it is. They are only original once and this interests me a lot more than the custom jobs done to souped up its counterparts. Hot rodded versions of muscle cars just bore me to tears because they all begin to look alike to me. I like to see the original features intact and appreciate the design of those components. Too bad it’s not a manual because that would be fun to drive too.
You don’t need a 5.0 litre V8 engine for the car to be cool. Sometimes a straigt six engine is the best engine for such a car, or even a V6 engine if it fits.
Had a ‘67 like this, with 289. $3010 including tax and license. Great car!
As some have observed, many young drivers may have lusted for more power in the day, but this example has the beautiful body styling and bucket seat with automatic floor shifter interior that turned heads a half century ago. The air conditioning is definitely a plus and was a rarer option in the 1960s than the V8 engine. I would keep the car as original as possible attending to the rust at a body shop and adding power front disc brakes and new all season tires for safety when enjoying the car going on cruises, at shows and for my own pleasure.
Our next car club event is an 80 mile cruise, to visit a car collection. The route is all rural two-lanes. For many of the participants the trip itself can be as much (or more) fun than the destination. For a trip like this a six-cylinder cruiser is just fine.