You aren’t going to find this very often–the chance to buy a car that’s been with its original owner for 49 years! Mr. Gonzales bought this 1968 Ford Mustang California Special for his wife on May 5, 1968 from Glen Organ Ford in Compton, California, and it’s been with her ever since! It’s being sold here on eBay at no reserve, and is appropriately located in Los Angeles, California. Thanks to Chris for this fabulous Ford find!
The car is very nice. It’s not perfect, and would certainly require some serious detail work and possibly even some touch ups of the repaint to get it to show quality. But to me, that’s not what this Mustang is about. You have a fantastic story, lots of originality, and a really cool car here! Those are the original Lucas “Square 8” lamps on the front as well, although one side is out.
If you’ve been under as many rusted out vintage Mustangs as I have, this picture will bring you great joy! Yes, it’s been repainted, and the hood has been replaced (although the original, complete with dent, is included in the sale). There’s also a small dent in the passenger side rear quarter panel courtesy of a shopping cart rack. There’s no weatherstripping around the trunk opening and I’m sure you can find some other issues. But one look at how solid and straight this car is had me in love!
The interior looks just as sharp as the outside. My parents had two 1967 Mustangs while I was growing up, so this interior looks like home to me. I admit to liking the 1967 steering wheel better, though.
Although it’s a stock 289 with a two barrel carburetor and there’s spray paint touch up everywhere, it’s only covered 103,000 miles so far and looks ready for more. We’re told the car drives great and is ready for more. Marti documentation and of course paper work is included to validate the pedigree of this terrific Mustang. I’d love it–what about you?
Neat car…..Ive never seen a California Special before, I like the tail spoiler and shelby style rear lights, and the owner was quite cute……..50 years ago.
We were all “cute” 50 years ago, Steven. $15,000. I thought someone said it wouldn’t bring crazy money?
Some can’t say we were cute 50 years ago. I can’t say any more then 48 years ago! I had to take a swing at that meatball.
I’m wonder why the huge frown today? Maybe Mrs. Gonzales driving the ol’ Mustang this long wasn’t by choice? Lord knows I can be cheap.
“Shelby style rear lights” are actually 1965 Thunderbird tail lamp assemblies, if I recall correctly.
Wonderful car!
The California specials were common 30 years ago.
This is the type of car than can probably be completely disassembled with a 3/8 drive socket set.
Steve R
Love the California Special…. Haven’t seen one in a while …….great that the original owner is pictured ….time wounds all heels !
Or maybe time heals all wounds….this is a cool find. Not everyday you come across a one owner car.
We have a couple California Specials around the KC metro car shows. A maroon one and a white one, nice cars.
+1 original owner!
Why sell it now? Health, lack of interest, financial woes? This is a family heirloom, not a commodity. Plus, it is not going to bring “crazy” money, so why sell it?
If it where mine I would consider if one of my family would cherish it like I did, if not, send it along to someone who would.
The eBay ads mentions that she gets followed home by people who ask if she wants to sell the car and worries that it might be stolen. Seems like a sad reason to sell.
Maybe she’s getting a divorce. That’s why she’s not smiling.
So great to see a car loved for so long ! Worth a premium just for Karma’s plus value.
I love these cars, I would throw some style steel wheels on it and drive the heck out of it other wise I would fix the fog lite and leave her alone
Neat story, sad, but the old car hobby is based on one person’s old memories, being handed down to someone for new memories. Pretty rare car. This, and it’s cousin the “High Country” Colorado version ( even more rare)
http://specialmustang.com/mustang/1968/1968_00148_01.jpg
Never heard of these until a few years ago, one was featured on Hemmings. If this was mine, I wouldn’t let it out of my site for a minute. Unbelievable find. Just shows, this country ( and L.A.) are so big, and still, so many treasures, BF’s will be here for a long time.
(by the way, Mrs. G, you still look as good as your Mustang, haven’t changed a bit :)
I always loved the CS model Mustangs. I figured I’d never be able to afford a Shelby so one of these would be cool. Unfortunately, you don’t see many of in Massachusetts.
The joy and pride reflected in the original photo is priceless. To be young and cute, with a hot red Mustang in 1968, it didn’t get much better. I would almost buy this just to share what transpired in the next 50 years. Hopefully life was good to the Gonzales.
A real treasure. A great looking car in their day, the tail treatment really made them stand out. We’ll see where the bidding goes, I may drop one in later….
Of course she was happy, look what it replaced ( ’53 Chevy next to it)
Very nice car. I’m not sure I’d part with a car for fear of someone stealing it. Seems a bit like a self-defeating strategy: “I’m afraid someone’s going to take it away, so I’m getting rid of it.”
The trim on the seat backs is used with the deluxe interior, but the door panels, dash, and steering wheel are lacking the fake wood trim. Either the seats have been reupholstered or it was factory error.
I guess peace of mind. She’s uncomfortable with strangers following her and coming to her door.That is understandable, especially as she gets older. It’s sad that she is losing her car, but after 49 years, she’s certainly had plenty of time to enjoy it, now someone else can enjoy it.
Yes, either way, you no longer have the enjoyment of the car. Same destination, different road. Not sure I fully understand this particular journey.
Great looking car and a great story to go with it ! It bums me out that the car hobby is forcing this woman to sell the car if the story is true. I have seen field finds with Not For Sale signs on them to keep people from banging on the door, maybe a small sign in the rear window could have helped the problem. Also Mrs. Gonzales had the fore-site to save the original hood, amazing. I was disappointed to see the statistic info on the Marti report blocked off, can’t imagine why? I would have liked to see the stats. Take care. Oh, great find!!!!!
Never sell mine its going to be buried with me
The Meaning of Life, drive off to heaven,love that movie!
Nice 6 banger ,no 289 on the front fender ,nice car
Externally the re-spray looks pretty good. Not so much in the trunk where even the wires were repainted. Pretty shoddy job in the engine compartment too. But, if the car is as solid as it looks, and it’s the original engine, it’s probably a good buy.
“Hey Larry, we made too many tail lights for the ’64 ‘Bird, how are we gonna get rid of ’em?”
“How about this, Skip: lets slap them on the back of some Mustangs”.
“But that will look really goofy! Who will buy it?”
Actually, the tail lights are from the 1965 Thunderbird.
Here is the whole story:
http://www.oldcaronline.com/blog/classic-cars/a-history-of-the-shelby-inspired-mustang-gtcs-california-special/
Cool car. Wish it had a/c and a least a 302 4v. Looks like it hasn’t been messed with too much over the years. Easy fixes to get back to all original. Interior is great!
Southern Cal cars should have very little rust or no rust at all. This is one of the best reasons to buy one like this. Rust repair can drain the wallet very quickly.
This Cal. Special comes with good documentation so this one should reach $20K when the bidding is done.
Beautiful car. Love the story. Hope she gets what she wants for it…
its a great story…I may have missed something, but it sounds like perhaps a dealer has the car, and it is not really a ‘one owner’ car any more? I bought mine from original owner also, both he and his wife (due to health issues) were no longer able to drive. (see picture of him tinkering on the car the day i checked it out!)
I really like the picture before, and after. The longest i ever had a car was 15 years. I would imagine it was hard for her to let it go and maybe a tear or 2 shed when it pulled away. I bet she has a lot of fond memories in her car. I congratulate her and wish her well, as well as the future ‘3rd owner”!
on a side note, my car was featured on barn finds some time back. It never was in a barn, but under a carport in Newport Beach California. Car was bought new in San Fernando Valley as a birthday present to his wife. They are still married!
Long story short, he had advertised it for sale back around 1990, then had second thoughts. This post has me wanting to call Barney and his wife and share the story! I don’t want to stir up sad memories. Barney did not want to see his car drive off and declined… I don’t blame him. Great couple!!!
289 was no longer used in 1968, this is a 302 2v. 4v would be a simple conversion. A friend of mine bought one of these several years ago and shipped back here to PA. It was fun going to show’s with him as no one believed it was a factory build. He would tell them it was a California special and they’d just say “No Way”.
Really? My 1968 coupé was a 289 2V, from the factory. Seen quite a few of them that way, actually.
Both 289 and 302 engines were used in ’68.
I have to admit I am one of those people that follow interesting cars to their driveway. A Mustang much like this one used to drive around Pittsburgh with a very feisty 80 plus woman at the wheel. I followed her right into her driveway and almost into her garage not knowing who was behind the wheel. Instant admiration when she stepped out of the car. The owner of this car may be too afraid to drive it in CA. It’s a lot of car for most older people.
Wow, Cargirl, you got “chutzpah”.
Howard,
You have no idea how much “chutzpah” Ms. Car girl has!! 😄
Among other pursuits, she is an expert in Hurst Olds as well as very knowledgeable about many other cars!
Nittany
Wow! That’s a nice California Special, and the bidding is still low.
I see a fair share of these models around Tucson, but they are typically ratty looking.
For you young folks, those 2 wire prongs protruding from the right fender are called “curb feelers.” They save your wheels from curb rash by transmitting a scraping sound before you get too close to a curb. I think they are a nice touch!
First off, not to be Debbie downer, but looks as if it is now owned by dealer, who technically is second owner.
Also hood is incorrect and was replaced. Should have Louvered hood with integrated turn signals. Also missing the original hood turning locks similar to Shelby
Where are the California black plates?
I hope they are with the car
Seems a bit high, but the original owner picture and flashy red caught people’s attention for sure
Jeff, you caught the issue with the black plates before I did. If in fact this is a one owner CA car and a ’68 vintage would have the black plates, only reason the DMV would issue the new white plates would be if originals were stolen or one missing (front)? Would like to know the story from the owner on this. The ’67 and ’68 are my favorite year for the Mustang, this is a nice rare car but for the money I would rather find a nice fastback, prefer the ’67. There was a guy in my neighborhood in Sacramento about 10-12 years ago drove a light green Calif. Special it was mint condition. As often as I saw it, I’m thinking it was his daily driver.
She was a hottie back in the day!!!!!!! I mean the car of course…….
Moved on for $18,200.00 with 43 bids. Hopefully to another good home!
Found an advertisement for a 2013 model year Mustang GT California Special so it’s still an option for more modern cars too, https://www.topspeed.com/cars/ford/2013-ford-mustang-california-special-package-ar120452.html