California Special: 1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS

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Sure, if you buy this Highland Green California Special, there will be at least one ’68 Mustang more famous than yours, but who wants that much attention anyway? Even though this Mustang is not Frank Bullitt’s iconic fastback that recently sold for over three million dollars, the cost of entry is somewhat lower. The California Special is uncommon by Mustang standards, but it might be the most attractive hardtop the factory ever made. With a few well-placed Shelby touches, such as side scoops, rear spoiler, and taillights, all it’s missing is that swoopy fastback roofline.

And, in many California Specials, the horsepower. This example is powered by the ubiquitous 289, now topped by an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor in lieu of the original Autolite two-barrel. California Specials were available with the more potent engine options, but seeing one with a 289 under the hood is not uncommon. The seller says that the engine runs well but the leaking radiator was removed. It will also need a fuel tank.

Let’s face it, it will need a lot of things. This is not the kind of Mustang you spend a few days tinkering on to get it on the road; it’s worthy of a restoration. The parts are all available, but unless the buyer can do the work on their own, costs will add up quickly. The seller says that the car is complete except for the fog lights, although some front sheet metal has been replaced as a result of a fender bender sometime in the car’s past.

On the plus side, the seller includes several photos of the undercarriage displaying clean subframes and torque boxes, although a few spots in the floorpans will need some patching. The typically rusty trunk floors and drop-offs look solid in the photos. The seller also claims that the rocker panels are also in good shape.

Few Mustangs say “Mustang” more loudly than a Highland Green ’68 model, and I think the California Special is one of the best-looking of the bunch. Being that only 4,118 were sold (including High Country Specials), getting into one today is going to cost more than a garden variety coupe. This one is up for sale here on eBay for $14,999.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Fox owner

    Gone baby gone.

    Like 1
    • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

      The auction indicates that it Ended, but not that it Sold.
      It might turn back up again, maybe with a more realistic price tag.

      Like 2
      • Steve R

        That’s often a sign the seller sold it off eBay, either to someone local or they took an offer. I have friends that have done both, every time they have listed cars they have gotten offers, if it was an amount they were happy with they took the cash then and there. With the market cooling off it’s not a bad option.

        Steve R

        Like 0
      • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

        They do have a website (I found out that it isn’t very far away from me) and the car is listed as available, but really no information about price, etc. They must sell everything via EBay.

        Like 1
      • Steve R

        This is the same guy that had a totaled 65-66 fastback featured on this site a few months ago. It looks like he makes a living selling mustangs and I assume parts. Almost all those places around here closed a long long time ago.

        Steve R

        Like 0
  2. Jeff

    Good to see these continuing to rise.

    I have a 68 CS with the J code 4 barrel with 307 ponies in blue. All numbers and engine tags still attached

    They make rep fog lights for these.

    I wish the new owner good luck on restoration!

    Like 0
  3. Tony

    Although the GT/CS shared tail lights with the ‘65 tbird and ‘68-‘70 Shelby, they were not sequential.

    Like 0
  4. Vincent

    not correct the tail lights are most certainly sequential.

    Like 0
    • James Quinn

      Nope. They were not. I owned the only white w/blue striped one. Bought from the original owner. Ford did not make them sequential.

      Like 1
    • Tony

      Not sequential from the factory. I’ve owned 2 of them and have known about 10 others. I also converted a few for people TO sequentials. But they didn’t come that way from Ford.

      Like 0
  5. AaronAuthor

    I updated the text regarding the sequential taillights – thank you for the heads up! I always thought they had them.

    Like 0
  6. stillrunners stillrunnersMember

    Same sad seller with Rustangs BF keeps listing….same Rustang place same Rustang listing…..

    Like 0

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