It’s amazing what a feature run on the silver screen can do for a car. Pontiac felt the full effect of that action back in ’77 with Smokey and the Bear Bandit- after release, those black Trans Ams started flying off of Poncho showroom floors faster than Buford T. Justice could exclaim, “What we’re dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.” Well, before that, Ford got in on the act with their 1968 Mustang fastback – the penultimate star of the cop thriller “Bullit.” Now it seems that every ’68 fastback is angling for a slice of the popularity pie created by a movie that’s about an outrageous car chase with some cop stuff thrown in for good measure. Today’s ’68 GT fastback, domiciled in Merrimack, New Hampshire, is a project but it wouldn’t surprise me if visions of bullitdom might dance through the collective minds of potential buyers – and maybe even the seller. Hold that thought and let’s take a closer look – this one’s available here on eBay for a current bid of $15,000 with one bid tendered so far.
The seller opens the listing with, “Clean body, needs restoration, floors and interior need work. Very solid car for the year.” What’s there may be clean, though the images seem to contradict that assertion a bit—and that clean part doesn’t reference what’s missing. The listing mentions “many parts included” and you can review the images but some of the included may not be particularly useable and of course, there’s always that debate about what’s not included. Of course, being a ’68 Mustang, there are parts, parts, and more parts available out the wazoo and that availability will allow the next owner to take this car in any manner of different directions.
One given need is the powertrain. The original 230 gross HP, new-for-’68 302 CI V8 engine (J-Code), and four-speed manual transmission are MIA. I suppose a Bullit clone would be jonesing for a 390, but the high-revving, lightweight 302, one of Ford’s greatest hits, IMHO, is an excellent application for this car.
Given need number two is the interior – there isn’t any as near as I can tell. There isn’t a comprehensive image provided but the vestiges of this GT’s innards are on full display so that’s another matter for consideration – though it does appear that the instrument panel is intact and included – that’s a help.
Ford built something like 317K Mustangs in ’68 and a good 42K were fastbacks such as our subject car. Now that’s a healthy number but ’68 was a long time ago and I could take a position that they’re not making any more – except they are in the form of a new Dynacorn body. Now I don’t want to get off of the beaten path but considering this car’s notable lack of major parts, the condition of what remains, and perhaps other options available to one who wants to play Bullit, (or give that idea a needed rest and just go for a nicely done ’68 Mustang fastback), is this example the best choice? What’s your thought?
See my Camaro comment.
It was “Smoky and the Bandit”.
Oooops, Right!
JO
Only person I can think of who would buy this car has plenty of money, plenty of time, and no clue on how to restore something like this.
Well its better than the KY Camaro but still needs deep pockets .
I’ve built worse rustangs in the 1990s that required numerous hours of welding with floors. torque boxes, inner rails and sheet metal. Then interior and source a better engine when the current is the wrong mid 1970s low pony boat anchor.
The simple answer will be after counting hours to restore its best to get a better starting point car.
I really don’t understand the movie car thing. I might own a Trans Am, but not necessarily black with gold trim. The movie was great, and I like Burt Reynolds, but I don’t feel that a TA MUST be black and gold. I’d like to have a 69 Charger, but not orange with a rebel flag on top (and I am from the town where Dukes of Hazzard was filmed.) I have a good friend who wants a green fastback Mustang like the Bullitt car. And the amount of money guys have paid for “Eleanor” clones is dumbfounding to me. I’d rather have a car that means something personally to me than a copy of something famous for reasons that have nothing to do with me or anyone important to me. But that’s just me. I am also the type of person who has never wanted anyone’s autograph unless it was on a check made out to me.
i am with you my friend i have a 66 gto hardtop i do not want to make a monkey mobile that’s not why i have it and i am friendly with john force and family love drag racing but don’t make any big deal out of it they are human just like every boby
Crazy price for a rolling 68 Fastback chassis, with no engine or trans, and that probably needs a good bit of welding in the usual places. I’m getting ready to list a 66 Fastback that’s had all the hard work done this spring. And I won’t feel bad at all about my BIN price after seeing this one.
Here is a car that will need every single part either removed, replaced, rebuilt (if any parts are rebuildable) or discarded, and yet there is some fool willing to give away 15K for it, there must be lots more disposable money out there than any of us realized!
Don’t know why but I never really cared much for the fastback Mustang I would rather have that yellow MG in the background.
Don’t forget the Challenger in Vanishing Point. It was a huge psych towards Mopar when I was a kid. Between that and the Charger chasing McQueens Mustang, I was sold.
Great movie starring Barry Newman.
“You cannot be serious.” ` John McEnroe
How much for the skeleton in the background? Has good bones.
That’s a sad little puppy. Very deep pockets and lots of time required.
That is an expensive VIN tag …. I owned two 1967 Stangs in succession from 69 to 73 , 1st a notch back 289 auto and 2nd a fastback 390 4sp. Back then in the age of Dinosaurs a decent one sold for about $800 . In those days we would laugh at cars in the condition this one is in even if it was being given away, like ..get it out of my backyard. A pristine got to work Dynacorn will lighten the account by 18 grand and most anybody will not outlive it before it turns into a rusted perpetual body shop resident like this 68 is. Amazing …to see that Dynacorn is not known to people who are bidding .
Haha haha haha who in their right mind would bid 15k for this pile of rust? Sorry did I say that out loud? I mean come people just send your money to some scammer in Nigeria if you want to give your money away! I love 68 Fastbacks always have but this one isn’t even viable in my humble opinion. But like they a fool and their money are soon parted.
He has come up with a few excuses on sending me a photo of the Vin Tag….
Steer clear as I still don’t have one.
His excuse is “To get a clear one the windshield would have to be removed”
Ya no kidding how about wiping the glass off and getting a decent one if there’s nothing to hide?
He refuses to send me a pic of the vin tag?