- Seller: Joseph R
- Location: Olivet, Michigan
- Mileage: 15,300 Shown
- Chassis #: 8FO1C171004
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 289 V8
- Transmission: C6 Automatic
Few classics are better project candidates than First Generation Mustangs. The ready availability of high-quality parts and the sheer scope of options provided by Ford allow an enthusiast to tailor the build to their taste. This 1968 Mustang Hardtop is such a vehicle, and while it needs work, the foundations are there for the winning bidder to create something genuinely special. The owner has been its custodian for over forty years, upgrading the engine and transmission to extract performance improvements. He feels that the time has come for the Hardtop to find a new home, so he is listing it with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
The owner purchased this Mustang from a used car lot in Louisiana in 1981, and it wore its original combination of Meadowlark Yellow with a Black vinyl top at that time. He treated it to a color change to Candy Apple Red in 1984, retaining the vinyl top and adding matching stripes to accentuate the Mustang’s lines. Sadly, circumstances beyond his control saw the car enter hibernation in 1989, and it has only recently emerged as he prepares for it to find a new home. The first thing to note is that the Hardtop is essentially complete and that its rust issues are remarkably minor. The floors sport some homemade patches and there is minor rust in the trunk and on the hood and trunk lid edges. However, critical areas like the torque boxes, rails, shock towers, and the area below the battery tray are all rock-solid. The glass is in good order, and it appears that most trim pieces will either respond positively to polish or sparkle following a trip to the platers.
As with the exterior, this Mustang’s interior retains all the critical components that would allow the winning bidder to perform a faithful restoration. The door trims and dashpad look fine, but the driver’s seatcover is split. Deep cleaning everything would be an excellent starting point, because it may reveal that the buyer only needs to source isolated parts rather than a complete trim kit. However, since kits are very affordable, throwing caution to the wind by performing a complete restoration could prove irresistible.
When the owner purchased the Hardtop, its engine bay housed a 289ci C-Code V8 that produced 195hp and 288 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fell to a three-speed manual, allowing the Mustang to provide pretty respectable performance. Early in its time with the owner, he replaced the manual with a three-speed C6 automatic that would have made driving duties effortless. The original engine eventually made way for a rebuilt 289 featuring a 510 lift and 280 duration cam to boost power and torque. The C6 came out at that point, replaced by a similar unit featuring a shift kit to better utilize the more potent V8. However, this classic found itself in hibernation in 1989 following circumstances beyond the owner’s control. He dispatched the steering box to a shop for a rebuild, but the box was stolen. Therefore, the winning bidder must source a new steering box and wheel. Otherwise, this classic is mechanically complete.
First Generation Mustang sales were declining by 1968, but a total of 317,404 cars found homes in that year. It is the sheer sales volume that makes these excellent project candidates because there is virtually nothing that isn’t available new for those treading the restoration or refurbishment path. These classics are more popular now than when they rolled off the line, and consistent value increases make them an excellent long-term investment prospect. This one looks tired, but it is a case where we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. It is begging for someone to return it to its former glory, and the results should justify the effort. That is why it is worth a close look.
Bid On This Auction
ABrink bid $4,500.00 2024-09-19 09:24:14
DanV8 bid $4,200.00 2024-09-18 13:46:49- ABrink bid $4,100.00 2024-09-18 08:47:07
Beefy bid $4,000.00 2024-09-17 13:45:22- ABrink bid $2,500.00 2024-09-17 11:41:07
- Beefy bid $2,000.00 2024-09-17 09:02:43
Jack bid $1,600.00 2024-09-16 22:36:42- ABrink bid $1,500.00 2024-09-16 14:13:15
- Beefy bid $1,000.00 2024-09-16 10:25:11
- ABrink bid $500.00 2024-09-16 10:00:04
Wesley Butler bid $100.00 2024-09-12 17:25:40
Seems like a good basis for a driver-quality restoration. My only question is, when did it pick up the 1967 front clip?
Yup,i saw that right away,no side marker light.
…..and the Horse and it’s encloser has a horizontal bar that spans the width of the grill. The ’68s, the Horse and its encloser were stand alone, floating in the grill.
Not sure where to go with this one. Man get rid of the c6 and go 4 or 5 speed stick . C6 is an overkill for a 289. U will have ur hans full with this one. At least rust is minor. Yellow with a black top would look excellent in my opinion. Good luck on both sides of dale.
Maybe the steering box is required replacement, so it may not run to a self spray car wash. I can’t figure out why a bucket of water with soap, a sponge, & garden hose is so hard to use or come up with, just before photographing a car for sale, that mentality is waaaay beyond my comprehension, IMHO
Yes, it certainly would present better if cleaned up. On the other hand, we are on a site called “Barn Finds”, so this and others similar would prove that. Or maybe they’re lazy, don’t care, or listing for a relative, etc. Psychologically, a buyer may think they are getting a deal, with a car presented like this? Who knows? At my age, I would not want anything unless only minor issues required attention.
I’d be tempted to put a 5-speed in it particularly if the clutch mechanism and pedal are still in it. A lot of people hid the pedal under the carpet and left everything there. It’s not going to have a C-6 as it’s more likely a C-4 attached to that 289.
Falcons and Mustangs got the C4 (no dash between letter and number) at least until the 1971 model year. C6 would have gone into larger Ford cars and trucks. I may be incorrect, but the first ‘Stangs to get a C6 would be when the 351 and larger standard production cars rolled off the line.
LOL Dashes are a result of fighting with auto-correct (there it is again) but while I’m not sure about the Windsor engines I had a friend with a ’73 2bbl 351 Cleveland that had an FMX in it.
Do you have a picture of the door tag ?