Classics like this 1968 Ford Mustang GT provide us with a few challenges. The first is that the photos supplied by the owner are so limited that they leave us wanting more. The second is that the car presents so beautifully that it is hard to find anything of which to be critical. However, it offers plenty of points to ponder, and it will be up to our readers to decide whether these points are good or bad. If you like what you see, there’s a chance that you could park this classic in your garage. The GT is located in Folsom, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $56,100, but this remains short of the reserve.
The owner indicates that this Mustang recently underwent a rotisserie restoration, but this could be the first bone of contention for some of our readers. The car is finished in Highland Green, and its overall presentation is in keeping with a vehicle that has accumulated a mere 419 miles since the seller completed the restoration work. However, the Tag indicates that this Mustang wore Sunlit Gold on its panels when it was shiny and new. The color change alone would be enough for some of our readers to refer to this as a refurbishment rather than a restoration. A further deviation is the owner’s decision to fit the Mustang with a Shelby hood. The paint shines beautifully, while the panels exhibit the laser straightness you would expect if somebody carefully massaged them before receiving their new paint. The trim and chrome seem to be as perfect as the panels and paint, although I did notice that the grille lacks the foglights that are such a distinctive feature of the GT. The glass is in as-new condition, while the wheels continue the trend of perfect presentation.
With a mere 419 miles under its belt since it came off the rotisserie, it’s no surprise that the Mustang’s underside hasn’t had the opportunity to develop any chips or marks. There’s also not a hint of rust, surface corrosion, or fluid leaks from the drivetrain. It is clean enough to eat off and would cause its owner no shame or embarrassment if they placed the car on a lift.
When you consider this classic’s recent history, it’s no surprise to open the doors to discover an interior that appears to be showroom fresh. The Black vinyl trim is flawless, as is the dash, pad, and carpet. This area of the car doesn’t need the buyer to spend a dime, but it does come with some nice touches. As well as air conditioning, it features a GT gauge cluster with a factory tachometer, a console, a Shelby wheel, and a Sport Deck rear seat.
The owner has spent a not inconsiderable $180,000 on this refurbishment, and more than a few of those dollars were invested in the drivetrain. The V8 under the hood is the original, numbers-matching S-Code 390ci unit that the owner treated to a rebuild as part of the refurbishment process. He has bolted a 4-speed Top Loader manual transmission to this, while the GT also features a Traction-Lok rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. That S-Code should be churning out 325hp. Pointed at a ¼ mile, this Mustang should consign the journey to the pages of history in 14.4 seconds. Once again, we reach a part of this car’s story that might see reader opinions vary. I admit that the motor is original, but the owner indicates that the vehicle rolled off the production line with a 3-speed automatic transmission undertaking shifting duties. It will be interesting to gauge reader opinions on this and whether it represents further evidence that this car should be referred to as refurbished rather than restored.
There’s no denying that this 1968 Mustang GT is a stunning car, and the person who buys it shouldn’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price. Its presentation is faultless, while its drivetrain combination should offer scintillating performance. Whether you consider this a restoration or a refurbishment, have you seen enough to pursue this one further?
The owner has built the car to my liking. Absolutely beautiful! Makes me wonder why they would want to sell it. Maybe the fun was to watch it get built and now that it’s perfect there is no interest? I know that has happened to me on a smaller scale. I think that is why I have learned to live with some things that still need done because when they get addressed I usually sell it on.
I restored a 68 Cougar from 1976 to 1980 and sold it 2 years later. It was a sweet ride but it was complete. In 2019 I bought another 68 Cougar but it is 1 of 489 GT390 4-Speed Fully loaded rare Cats and as of 3 weeks ago it’s on the road with the patina look. I’m taking my sweet old time knowing I will get sick of it if I complete it. Also: my new girlfriend of 6 months has done every position capable to mankind with me and tonight for the first time I’m blowing her off to go to the drag races with the boys!!!
What in the actual….
When you’re in your 70’s, You won’t remember one iota of your “Night with the Boys”. BUT, You’ll Regret Every Minute You missed the opportunity of being with a Hot Girl/Woman!
Yes, Eric, your right but I ended up asking her to go with me to the drags, with a big yes. We started on the grandstands then right next to the drag light giving us all the action and noise and let me tell you it was her first drag race which she LOVED. She talked about it all night and can’t wait to go again so I think I found a keeper. Now I have to get her under my Big Block Cougar wrenching with me. I was going to blow hwer of but thank God I did’nt.
Bullitt wanna be. Now he’s got too much in it to feel comfortable driving it
Maybe a wannabe, but thankfully it isn’t an over-perfect clone or another Eleanor. This is tasteful but not certain the ‘investment’ will be re-couped.
I heard that the Bullitt Stang had to be modified from stock to try and keep up with the stock Charger. is that true?
They only one that doesn’t lose money is the restorer.
@ Gary: As far as I remember, the body had to be beefed up to handle all the jumps. I’m not sure of any performance upgrades. The Google says: https://www.mustangspecs.com/1968-ford-mustang-bullitt-movie-car/
35+ years ago I had a 68GT with deluxe interior, 390/4. I recall the console was wood grain, not polished aluminum which was for 67 deluxe interior like this car has. Also not original color – note buck tag? I could be off and not to take away from this car’s beauty.
Great looking build, not a restoration, but a quite nicely done. As for what the owner spent well let’s just say I doubt the car will bring what he spent. That was his call, hell just drive it! That’s what it was built for. Yeah has bullet all over it, so what it’s a nice car
They only one that doesn’t lose money is the restorer.
Now that’s a true statement! The restorers definition of a Restoration – Money, years and stress followed by loss interest and a bad resale value.
A stock restoration to this standard would have been spectacular. A half-hearted Bullit replica built to this standard seems like a waste.
He put $180k into it and it’s a nice car. But will he get that much from the sale? Doubtful.
The panels may be “laser straight” but that hood isn’t, and it has no GT fog lights or Mustang badge. Rather sloppy for a ‘$180k” restoration, I’d say.
This is a clone to a car my that my good friend Dave carefully rebuilt for years. It was his pride and joy, and he had finally completed it. I went for a ride, and I don’t know who smiled more, me or him. We lived in Tucson, and he owned a mobile body shop, who he ran with his wife Darlene, they were called Suretouch. Did great work for a great price. Unfortunately, Dave loved motorcycles as well, and he lost his life due to a tragic accident. Getting off track here, but I lost 2 dozen friends in the 25 years I lived there. Whenever I see one of these I treasure the time I had with him. Dave, I know you are in a better place driving the vehicles you love. I miss you Brother.
Saw one of these yesterday on the 880 in San Jose. Had the stock hood. Have to say it is a surprising combination. The color is not flashy. The wheels don’t pop. You have to take time to look at the car to appreciate it. Really a fine combination of car, color, and wheels.
Not many other movie cars are like this.
Is it a 3.90 rear gear ?
Reminds all of us of the Mustang from the movie Bullit, that cant be ignored. I suppose in ’68 Bullit’s Mustang looked like the ones down at the local Ford dealer except for the American mags.and uniquely loud exhaust pipes! Over time that greeen movie car has reached legendary staus.
Nice car that will draw overwhelming attention.
Except the exhaust soundtrack used in the movie was from a GT40.
Wow. Just wow. With the exception of his colour choice (both exterior and interior) and the hood (left mine stock), the seller and I have gone down the exact same path!!! Same car to start with, colour change (also changed the interior colour on mine), C6 out and top loader in, Traction Lok, rotisserie, Torque Thrusts, yep the whole shebang!
I “may” have gone a little deeper down the rabbit hole (aluminum heads, RPM intake, ceramic caoted headers, 4 wheel discs, power rack and pinion conversion, etc), but I really like what he’s done here. Who knows why he’s selling it, and frankly who cares. Someone will get an amazing car at a fraction of the price of the build. GLWTS
bt
Why is this on barnfinds.com?
Beautiful!
Although this is a great restoration and build the Bullit look has been done too many times, leaving it Sunlit Gold would have been better in my opinion. Sunlit Gold is a rare color and looks great on 68 Mustangs.
Wow!! That’s a lot of money for this kind of car restoration. It’s very nice and all but $180,000 ?? It seems classic cars are only for the very very rich these days, kind of a shame.
I had one of these back in the day. I had trouble with the soft material the clutch pedal was made out of. It would bend to the point the pedal was up against the floor. Still a good looking vehicle!
He spent 180K on redoing this car but could not spend a couple more dollars to buy a set of under hood bumpers and a set of seat access rubber plugs. That makes me wonder what other shortcuts were taken.
If this car started out with an automatic transmission, shouldn’t it be a GTA?