With pressure being exerted by the Californian dealer network, Ford relented and decided to release a Mustang model specifically tailored to that market. The result was a car called the GT/CS, or the California Special. It was envisaged that 5,000 Specials would be built, but production ground to a halt after 4,118 cars had rolled off the line. This is one of those cars, and it is said to be a solid survivor. It presents nicely, and while bidding on the Mustang has been reasonable, it probably hasn’t been as strong as I would have expected for a car like this. The Mustang is located in Crown Point, Indiana, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding now sitting at $17,100, the reserve hasn’t been met.
It’s actually pretty easy to see how the Californian dealers were able to convince Ford to produce something a bit special for them to market. California accounted for around 20% of total Mustang sales across the country, so Ford wanted to stay in the good books with its volume-selling district. Developing the cosmetic parts that provided the CS with such a distinctive appearance fell to Carol Shelby, and many of the additional parts were direct copies of those that appeared on the legendary “Little Red” prototype. These included the side scoops, along with the deck-lid with an integrated spoiler and end caps. It would appear that all of the original features remain present on this Seafoam Green example, including the scoops and deck-lid, along with the fog lights, the hood with the twist locks, and the distinctive tail-light panel and lights. It all appears to be in good condition and the photos that the owner supplies of the underside show a car that is free of any rust problems. The external trim and chrome, along with the wheels and the tinted glass, all look really good.
Lifting the hood of the Mustang reveals what was, by far, the most popular mechanical configuration for a California Special. What we find is a C-Code 289ci V8, backed by a 3-speed C4 automatic transmission. Life is made a bit easier with the inclusion of power steering, along with power front disc brakes. The owner refers to the Mustang as being numbers-matching, but it isn’t 100% original. The engine wears an Edelbrock aluminum intake and a 4-barrel carburetor, along with a new distributor with a “pointless” ignition. It isn’t clear whether the original components are included in the sale, but I’m sure that there are more than a few enthusiasts who are hoping that they are. The owner states that the Mustang is mechanically strong, and the YouTube video at the bottom of this article certainly seems to support this. The engine has a solid note to it, while the vehicle gets up and moving very nicely.
The Mustang’s Black interior is tidy, but it isn’t perfect. The dash and pad look good, while the door trim and the majority of the upholstery on the seats looks excellent. The carpet looks like it might be slightly faded, but it isn’t too bad. The driver’s seat has some minor rips and splits, and I suspect that a new cover might be in order. There is also a small hole in the headliner, but since we don’t get a look at it, it is impossible to say whether this is repairable, or whether a new headliner will need to go onto the shopping list. Otherwise, the interior remains original, and the inclusion of factory air conditioning is a nice bonus.
If we consider this Mustang in isolation as an original and rust-free 1968 survivor, then what we appear to be getting here is a nice car that should have a little way to go in the bidding war before the reserve has been met. Being a GT/CS should add about another 20% or so to the potential value of the vehicle. With that in mind, I would expect that bidding should find its way to around the $30,000 mark, although there is every chance that it could go even higher. With Summer just around the corner, do you fancy your own slice of California dreaming?
NADA says between 27 and 54 grand.
I did not see a 289 one. Was the 289 not gone by 1968 ?
So take your pic and price . But is it really worth more than 30 grand ?
Hey Del, interesting question about the 289…the story I’ve heard, from several sources, is that the 289 was supposed to be phased out, but a strike at the engine plant where the 302 was built forced Ford to sub the 289 for some early ’68’s. This could be a BS story, or not. The VIN does indicate a 2V 289, who knows if it’s the original…
Yes, there was an engine plant strike. I cannot speak for the Mustang but for the Cougar if a small block 2V engine was ordered Mercury would put a 289 in a standard car and a 302 in an XR-7.
Del, Hagerty has a #1 car at $41,500 and they are always high on their values.
@Del & @Morgan, when I was in high school in 1975 I owned a ’68 convertible with a 289 2bbl and no smog pump. It was all original. Since then I’ve owned two ’68 coupes, both with the 302 4bbl setup and with the smog pump.
Get a MARTI REPORT!!!! Did these cars go through Shelby`s Shop? or: Were they upgraded @ A. O. Smith? The XR-7 G`s were done @ Smiths?
Tucker, the Marti report is included with the pics on the ebay ad.
Thanks, perhaps I was a little hasty :(
1968 Mustangs had 289 and 302. California Special was a Ford option.
This one is a C code, 289/2bbl. Good mpg in stock form. Hot rodding the 289 is a little different than the 302 even though many parts fit both.
Repeating myself, and correcting Adam. The dealers did not ask for these. Rather, the Regional Sales Manager was getting some heat from Ford about shrinking sales. While making his rounds to his largest market (California) he visited Shelby’s Sales Office and saw “Little Red”, a Shelby test mule. Intrigued, he asked to borrow the car, and showed it to Lee Iacocca, and suggested a California only ‘halo car’ based on Little Red and another test mule, ‘The Green Hornet’, to stimulate sales. Iacocca told him to just copy Little Red. A.O. Smith made up the parts, and the San Jose plant provided all the cars. All available engines and transmissions were available as options, including the 289, but contrary to some advertising, not the 427 or 428.
Hope this helps.
Why did they then make another special edition for the Rocky Mountains?
Demand from Colorado dealers for something like the GT/CS.
Interesting information about the CS history.
I vaguely recall a discussion on the CJ forum that there were in fact three 428 California Specials built in San Jose (a white, a red, and a blue one) Also recall a price of one of them in the 200k range. Agree with “not the 427”.
There are two, and possibly a third High Country Specials in the GT/CS registry with 428s, but no confirmed GT/CS so equipped. No idea why. They do show up for sale, but always turn out to be fakes. Ford advertising was changed to show the 390 as the top engine, but I would never say ‘never’ with this sort of car.
FYI for those interested in the CS (apparently there may have been a yellow one?)
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/1968-ford-mustang-gt-cs-california-special/
http://www.mustangandfords.com/featured-vehicles/mump-1210-1968-cobra-jet-powered-california-cj-special
http://www.mustangandfords.com/featured-vehicles/mump-1210-1968-cobra-jet-powered-california-cj-special
FWIW, IMO the 289’s are not all that exciting, though they and the 302’s were pretty common. The 390 cars were cooler, but I don’t think anything can touch the 428CJ!
Eric
Not that special – lots of states had the same thing….marketing baby !
Aside from the High Country Special, what else was there, still runners?
Pretty sure Texas had something – if I said Twister most maybe think of a Duster…..and didn’t the east coast have one ? Might have to get my books out…..they all looked about the same with the rear treatment – stripes and lights in the grill….
The U.P. had a 4 wheel drive version called the “snow Stang”. WI had one called “Rustang” which are very rare.
I had a 68 Mustang with 289 badges and sticker on the air cleaner. The build sheet and VIN matched the engine block. Turns out it was a 302. They phased the new motor in while depleting the 289 fender badges and decals.
Did you buy that car new?
It’s not hard to look up the correct spelling of Carroll Shelby’s name…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_Shelby
Thank you for pointing that out, Davve.