After 38 years in one family, this 1968 Ford Mustang in Wethersfield, Connecticut comes to market in non-running condition. Born with the fire-breathing R-code 428, C6 automatic, and 4.30 Traction-loc axle, this Wimbledon White classic probably hit the local drag strip before the ink dried at the dealership. A 289 repower and a manual gearbox apparently pre-dates current ownership, and two generations enjoyed it until a stalled upgrade parked this heirloom fastback five years ago. The New England classic saw garaged storage when not being driven for the last 30 years, according to the seller. A non-original 428 block comes with the sale, suggesting dreams of returning the once-potent pony nearer to its historical roots. Check out more pictures here on eBay where at least 15 bidders have its market value over $30,000.
Paperwork on the 289’s build specs come with the sale, and the four-speed manual transmission and original 4.30 gears should provide plenty of entertainment from this small-block Ford. When I switched my 302-powered ’89 Mustang from its factory 2.73 gears to 3.73s, you’d have thought I wedged a big block under the hood. With good tires I can launch quickly from idle with minimal wheel-spin in first, but a second-gear start is enough to smoke the average hopped up Honda. Before dismissing this 4.7L mill, remember the 5.0 liter Boss 302 made well over 300 HP.
Ford carried the fastback slope across the Mustang’s trunk area for ’67 and ’68, creating a more aggressive distinction from the coupe that’s undeniably sporty. Dainty chrome bumpers complete the concave rear, visually suggesting forward thrust. Speaking of thrust, the Torq Thrust style wheels look as great today as they did in the ’60s. Tip your hat to the seller for rolling this non-operational ‘Stang into the driveway and giving it a clean-up to bring top dollar by helping potential buyers understand the car’s condition.
An all-black interior matches original equipment specified on the Marti report, but the shift-boot came later when the four-speed manual replaced the original C6 three-speed automatic. Graciously-supplied undercarriage pictures show some crusty bits, but nothing unexpected for a long-time Constitution State classic. What would you change on this mixed-bag Mustang?
Very rare with the 4.30 rear, less than 700 made that way. Nice car
Very nice Mustang and the body looks good. It’s underneath with the picture showing a hole and rust that needs attention. With the small block and 4:30 gears I would put a 5 speed in it. Then you can take in on the Highway without over rev it. With those gears doing 60 tach will show 3,300 to 3,500. The 5 speed should drop to around 2,100. I noticed the right side rear exhaust tail pipe doesn’t look right. With 4 days to go I won’t be surprised if this goes over $40,000. At least it comes with extra goodies. Good luck to the next owner.. 🐻🇺🇸
Nice attempt to put a positive spin on the engine swap, Todd, but this car was diminished by the 289, no matter how much power is squeezed out of it or what gears are in the rear.
Whoever gets it should put the 428 and C6 back in it. Bring it back to spec and enjoy it
This is one of the more solid and clean early Mustangs I’ve seen in a good while. Why someone would remove such a desirable engine and replace it with a base engine option is rather puzzling. That decision alone probably cut the value of this car in half at least.
It isn’t too hard to figure out. If the original 428 blew up. Those engines weren’t in every junkyard, even 40 years ago. And a good 428 was probably worth more than the car, at that point. A 289 was a cheap alternative.
Begging your pardon, but in that era, the 289 increased the value substantially. Everyone is commenting that the 428 was likely blown as the cause of the re-power.
Maybe, even probably, the swap was made solely for gas mileage.
The first Corvette I almost had was a 427 ’66 Convertible. At the time, I owned a 1968 302 4-speed Mustang fastback. The owner of the Corvette wanted an even trade. No matter how much I begged, my family wouldn’t let me make the trade. Later, he swapped in a 327 for the big block.
That example was far more common than people might think.
Gas was relatively expensive, and stiff-greared big block anythings were cheap.
My brother and I were in heaven. Six Packs, Hemis, 427’s, 396’s, 455’s, 427-428’s, 429’s. Abundant and cheap.
Greatest time in our lives.
Got mine over 35 years ago after spending the first 25 years on the track and being street raced. Engine had a spun bearing so repaired it and put away for safe keeping. Put in a 427 8v and is an absolute rocket with original 4 speed. Still race it and good for 10.80s
Also just being a 1 of like 1200 cars built the car with no motor and being a R car its still worth 60k and some. Would like to see a marti being from New England it could also be a Tasca Ford car and be very valuable knowing the history. My white R came from Ramp Ford on long Island and raced by the dealership on long Island back in the day when they had drag straps. Have another out of vego Ford in Ga. Raced mostly at Gainesville drag strip.
I wouldn’t even drive it until there was another 428 built to spec back in the car.
This car doesn’t have a title. Add says TITLESS, but under vehicle title: “clean” on ebay.Unless the owner applies for a lost title in his state, purchaser would need to go through bonded title route if home state has one. Colorado this is a long and difficult process. Without a title this is just a parts car. Buyers beware.
Nice car. A little crusty in spots. Seen many a fire caused by that fuel filter setup.
Wow…..you can really tell this is an east coast car….but hey you got the money for a new body.
There’s a whole heap of rust evident in these pictures. Sure enough a New England car. The only future I see involves a trip through an acid bath. How much of an upside can there be after purchase?
Not too many 68.5 CJ survivors in one piece. Worthy project if you can source the period correct block, toploader, carb, radiator and build to CJ specs and you do the work yourself and put the C and hood stripes on it! It is registered on the Cobra Jet registry.