At its peak in 1966, the First Generation Mustang sold in incredible numbers. If you analyze the figures, Ford sold their desirable pony car at a rate better than one per minute for the entire model year. Sales tapered in 1967, and 1968 saw the company produce several special editions to boost the numbers. This 1968 Mustang is a GT California Special that presents beautifully. It has no immediate needs and has a genuine 27,000 miles showing on its odometer. The owner feels the time is right for it to find a new home, so they have listed it here on eBay in Cullman, Alabama. Twenty-nine bids have pushed the price to $20,101, which is short of the reserve.

Ford envisaged selling 5,000 examples of the California Special (CS), although the total fell short of the mark. It was an appearance package that brought no performance gains, but the legendary Carroll Shelby had a hand in its design. Drawing inspiration from Shelby’s GT models, the CS inherited the distinctive non-functional side scoops, rear spoiler, and taillights for a unique appearance that allowed the CS to stand out in a crowd. It is worth noting that the CS didn’t score the sequential turn signals, disappointing some potential buyers. The grille looked clean and sharp thanks to its lack of badging, while foglights rounded out the frontal treatment. The seller indicates this CS underwent a repaint last year in its original shade of Lime Gold. The shop completed the work to a high standard, removing most of the hanging panels. They replaced the door and window seals, reapplying the unique California Special stripes. The car presents superbly, with no issues or problems. Rust is always a consideration with First Generation Mustangs, but not with this one. The panels are clean, and the underside shots reveal a rock-solid classic. The exterior trim and chrome sparkle as well as you might expect, considering the seller replaced the lot when performing the repaint. The tinted glass looks flawless, and the car rolls on a beautiful set of GT wheels.

Buyers could order their California Special with any drivetrain combination. This car’s original owner selected the C-Code 289ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power steering. With 195hp under the right foot, this classic should cover the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds. The engine bay of this Mustang presents as well as you might expect from any car with 27,000 miles on the clock. The seller doesn’t indicate whether they hold evidence verifying the odometer reading, but they say the car runs and drives well. It sounds like the winning bidder will be able to fly in and drive this classic home.

The seller claims that the Mustang’s interior is original, and while it presents well, it sends mixed messages. The upholstered surfaces are excellent, as are the dash, pad, carpet, and headliner. The wheel sports a couple of cracks, although restoration kits to address this cost around $60. The dash wears Carroll Shelby’s signature above the glove compartment, which is a nice touch. Someone has cut the dash and door trims to accommodate a CD player and aftermarket speakers. I may be in the minority, but this change is one of which I disapprove. With the rest of the interior presenting so well, I find it disappointing. However, your opinion may be different from mine. If so, I respect that.

In the 1987 movie “Wall Street,” the Michael Douglas character of Gordon Gekko reflected upon how greed is good. Ford felt that way during the 1960s as its First Generation Mustang set sales records in 1966. With totals dropping during 1967, the company elected to release some special editions to boost those figures. They planned to sell 5,000 examples of the California Special, but only 4,118 buyers chose to spend the additional $194.31 above the sticker price. Today, good examples will easily command $30,000, while pristine cars can pass $50,000. This one is a beauty, and its condition suggests that it may need to nudge $30,000 before it clears the reserve. With twenty-nine bids already submitted, I won’t be surprised if it makes it.