Simple, but equipped just right. That’s how you might describe the 1968 Mustang Coupe seen here on ebay. It’s up for auction with an ending date of Monday, so you have the weekend to monitor where it goes from a current $12,000 bid. If you win it, you’ll need to get it home from Puyallup, Washington. The current owner doesn’t suggest this, but I’d be willing to jump in the car and drive it down the coast to my garage. You’re in Georgia? Slightly longer haul, but here’s betting you’d make it. And what a story to tell.
Why does it seem that this pony car is so right? Maybe because the body dimensions, though bigger that the original Mustang’s, still have lovely proportion. Maybe because it has the C-code 289-CID engine. Maybe it’s the easy-shifting automatic transmission. Or the fact that it’s a factory AC car and that its power accessories include power steering. Heck, have you driven a manual-steering equipped car lately? It’s a lot harder than you might remember, if you’re old enough even to do that, and not a great deal of fun. I speak from experience. This Mustang is not a muscle car, but who cares? It’s got enough to make it a worthy driver. Disc brakes on the front make it a car that will stop more-or-less on command, too.
What about condition? It’s sitting at 90,000 miles, which leaves you room to put some more spins on the tires before giving the motivating power an overhaul. The fact that it’s had only one owner might be worth spending up for. The disappointment is that the car has been repainted, and that finish is not pristine anymore, and also that the air conditioning components have mostly disappeared. Speaking of the finish, it doesn’t look like all the body panels are the same color, but if you’re going to repaint it, who cares? You can drive it like this for a summer or two anyway. There’s no mention of specific reconditioning, but several times, the seller points to the car’s good-running nature.
So let’s say you’re interested. Where are these second iteration (1967-68) Mustangs in terms of collectability? Probably below the level of the 1964 ½-1966s, though the fact that Frank Bullitt drove a 1968 fastback casts a healthy glow on all cars of this generation. But try snagging a fastback for any kind of cheap money. No chance. The coupe models are way, way cheaper than the fastback body style, and from behind the wheel, the view’s the same.
What a sweetheart indeed. It’s kind of tough trying to explain how big an impact the Mustang made. There were so many, and what was cool, is one could personalize a Mustang with a slew of options the way they wanted. In a dozen Mustangs, it was clear which one was yours. They appealed to just about anyone. From snarling wheel standers, to “6 and the single girl”. This car here, total gals car, and the V8 possibly a younger brothers influence, but macho men just didn’t drive a car like this then. Dads single secretary would, however. Remember her? Wait,,,oh yeah,( shudder) , there she is, and she drove an Opel Manta,,
These all seemed to sag in the back, and a host of gee-gaws were invented to raise the back. I think air shocks did the best job for tire clearance but altered handling. Vintage original Mustangs were great cars and everyone should experience a Mustang, or Cougar like this in their lifetime.
I raised the rear height on my 1964 Ford Galaxie by just flipping the rear shackles with the bumper jack and a crowbar. Seems like this could be done to the 1968 Mustang as well. It is a modest alteration, therefore did not alter the pinion angle significantly.
I put load leveler shocks in the back of my 67 coupe back in the day. Brought it level. Yes they all did that. Shame on FoMoCo.
The correct height for the 66′ Hardtop is 26 inches from the ground up to the bottom of the fender wheel arch with 195/75/14 tires .
Putting air shocks on the back of a vintage Mustang or Cougar is the worst thing a person can do. All they will do is to punch a hole up through the trunk floor.
First generation Mustang coupes are great “everyman” collector cars. This looks like a nice example, in driver condition. Simple and easy to maintain, lots of aftermarket support, Mustang clubs everywhere who will welcome you and help with issues. Nice ones aren’t particularly cheap anymore, but in the big picture they aren’t expensive either. I like this one with the soft yellow paint and the black interior.
Thanks Brian K.
What a deal someone got on this 1968 Mustang Coupe with AC for US $12,645.00.
No rust showing and clean interior and headliner in tact. I am probably glad I missed it or would have bought another car and already have the J Leno comment of owning one more than fits in the garage (63 SW, 54 3100 truck). :-) I have a blue 1968 California Special thats all original with the 302 J code engine but it does not have AC.
Nice car! It looks like the AC compressor has been removed though, and I see what looks like an open pipe (evaporator?) on the firewall. So likely some there is some work to be done to use the factory AC.
My 66′ has factory air ,original compressor but i still don’t drive it after 9 or 10 am here in Phoenix in the summer.
SOLD.
In my book ‘equipped just right’ would include a 3rd pedal & a 4 spd. The missing ac compressor didn’t bother me either, in fact I prefer that. I’ve no problem opening the windows.
Beware those front seat brackets. I had both break simultaneously on the driver side of. ‘67. Almost pitched me into the back seat! Very thin metal.
Plus the front seats are installed on the wrong sides. The seat back releases are toward the inside of the car instead of the outside.
Wow someone got a deal they usually Go for a lot more than that Mayby the market is softening
There is a cyclical slow down in the enthusiast end of the automotive market, that happens this time every year. People start looking for winter projects when the weather starts getting cold and it keeps accelerating through February when most everyone getting a refund has filed their taxes. If there is a slow down, spring is when you will know, not now.
Steve R