I’ve got a hunch many of our readers may be thinking the same thing I was upon first glance of this 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, regarding how a car that initially looks like it’s been through the wringer can only have 7,400 miles on the ticker. But as I began reading further, it seems as though the seller actually provides a plausible explanation, which involves an unfortunate incident dating back to the early seventies. The pony is already well on its way to recovery, and if you’ve been looking for a Mustang project this one may be worth considering. Dumont, New Jersey is the car’s present home, and it can be spotted here on eBay where bidding has reached $18,100, though that’s not enough yet for it to move to your stable.
This is one of those cases where I’m really thankful to have a before picture. The seller purchased the Mustang about 8 years ago from a gentleman who had owned the car since 1969, but unfortunately, he was involved in an accident during the very early seventies in which the car was hit from behind. It was stored until 2015 when the seller bought it from the previous owner, who had kept it stored all those decades since the damage occurred. If there’s any good news here it’s that the fastback had only accumulated 7,400 miles before it was put away.
A lot of the needed body work has already been done using Dynacon replacement panels, and the seller says there’s not too much more left to do outside. I’m kind of digging that Shelby-style panel in the back, too. Judging from the photos, he’s made a commendable effort in getting the ball rolling with the goal of putting this one back on the road, so hopefully, the next owner will complete the project and be driving this Mustang again after its 50-year absence from the streets!
It’s not presently residing in the car, but the factory original 302 4-Barrel comes with the sale, as does the 4-Speed manual transmission. Both are currently in storage on a pallet, so we don’t get to see them, but the seller says the motor runs fine and the transmission shifts A-OK. We’re also not provided with any interior photos, but 95% of the inside pieces are stated to be present, with only the headliner missing due to it being haphazardly removed. The owner realizes he’s invested more than he’ll get back on this one, and I guess my question might be why stop now? Maybe his focus has shifted to the Camaro in the yard, but whatever the reason, his loss could be someone else’s gain, depending on where the reserve has been set. How much would you be willing to pay for this 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback as it sits now?
Looks like it’s going to be one sweet pony
It looks like a scary story. If it comes with a double your money back guarantee plus attorney fees, it might be worth the current price. I doubt the mileage claim and don’t believe it was in storage indoors. Too much rust damage unless it was stored underwater along the Jersey shore. Buyer beware.
I know where a 69 lincoln Mark III was sitting up until a few years ago with less than a hundred miles on it. The sales manager at our local Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer took it for his demo and went out drinking the night he got it. Rolled it several times into a cornfield. They bought all new sheetmetal to fix it but it never happened. It was always garaged and had no rust, pretty straight forward repairs, time consuming though. The guy that owned it died several years ago and it disappeared, probably junked
All this will take is lots of time and 💰.
OK, so it was rear ended early on in its life and put into storage all these years. Storage outside in a dug hole and filled with salt? Rear end collisions don’t necessitate the replacement of full floor pans, the FRONT rails and BOTH front torque boxes (!!!). That’s stuff that’s done on a car that’s lead a very rough life, typically in the salt.
I guess the rear end collision also must’ve caused the hood to buckle, requiring its replacement and the removal of it’s front end and entire drive train.
They put quarters on it sans the side markers. The undercoating sprayed everywhere is a nice touch, so you can’t see their welds or anything that was done. Also, not sure why you’d do the taillight conversion unless you were doing a shelby clone.
It’s sad that the mustang fastback market is so dry that people are willing to pay the prices they are and for cars like this.
I’m not sure why you’d make up a story like this, but in my opinion it’s just nonsense. As the kids say, cool story bro.
In the one photo showing the accident damage you can see that this car had the bolt on style rear side reflectors. All that will need to put those back on the car would be to drill 2 holes on each side. Easy fix.
A lot more work than that. They are actually side marker lights, not reflectors. Rectangular holes must be cut for the light body and I believe a recess must be formed around the rectangle. Replacement quarters often fit both 67 and 68 Mustangs. 67 did not have the marker lights.
Most people don’t like the look of them, I’m sure they were probably left off on purpose. It’s a cleaner look, but it was the very least of my concerns or complaints in a long list of many.
Sorry Hotrodbuilder but you are incorrect. In 1968 all Mustangs had a rear side reflector, they did not light up. An actual rear side marker light was first used on the 1969 model year cars. So in this case it actually is that simple, just drill 2 holes in each quarter panel and bolt the reflectors on. Go do some research on this and you will find that I am correct.
Sorry, I bought a new 1968 Mustang coupe in June 1968 and it came from the factory with rear side marker lights that came on with the parking lights or headlights.
Well Hotrodbuilder I do not know what you bought. My first question is did you buy the car in the US? Or a different country? If in a different country it might have something to do with that country’s laws. If you bought it in the US then it left the factory with rear side reflectors that did not light up. Perhaps the selling dealer added them. Again go do the research and you will see that I am correct.
Unless the DS fender comes from an identically painted used Mustang from the rust belt, there is no way the headlight bucket area would rust out like that with 7000 miles on it from merely ‘sitting’ all those years. The terrible undercoating job is definitely another telltale sign.
B.S. on the mileage claim!
t.u.r.d.
Up to 22,400 reserve not met.Yikes …too much $ for this project.I think the seller is making his $ back and then some if it sells.
If it honestly has 7,400 miles on the odometer….WHY was the engine removed?
Every time a heap like this hits the $20k+ mark? I go out to the garage and look at my running and driving 68, and smile.