When the subject of 1968 Ford Mustangs arises, the attention immediately goes to a beat-up Highland Green example that sold at an auction last year for an astounding $3.7M (with buyer’s premium). Hollywood… sheesh! Well this 1968 Mustang GT is not a former star of the silver screen but it has something very special going for it and we need to dig in. This Mustang is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $115,000 and here on eBay where the bidding has reached $50,100, with the reserve, obviously, not yet met.

At the height of the muscle car wars in 1968, Ford needed something with a bit more punch. Mopar 440s vied with Chevrolet’s 375 HP, 396 CI engine but Ford was holding back with a 325 HP, 390 CI V8 as the top option in the Mustang unless a buyer wanted to really open their wallet and spring for a GT 500 Shelby Mustang. Supposedly, Ford had a $755 option in the form of a 390 HP, 427 CI V8 available, but I’ve never encountered one and its availability has always been referred to as “slim”. So, to become more commodity-oriented, Ford, commencing on April the 1st of ’68, offered their new 428 CI, Cobra-Jet engine as a Mustang option. According to 428cobrajet, there were only 1,571 Mustangs equipped with what is usually considered to be, this rather underrated FE engine. That numerical count excludes the GT500 Shelby versions and the Cobra-Jet option would probably have made some real volumetric hay had it been introduced earlier in the model year.

The seller states, “This car is the best I have ever seen or driven. I have owned a couple of dozen show-quality cars over the last 30 years. According to the Marti Report, it is a one of one car” It does look good, no doubt about it. It would be hard to find fault with a single exterior detail. The seller adds that this Mustang is extremely correct with the exception of the battery, Pertronix distributor components, and Classic Auto Air addition.

As alluded to earlier, power is provided by a 335 gross HP, 428 CI, Cobra-Jet engine working through a three-speed, SelectShift automatic transmission. For added oomph, the hood scoop forces air directly into the vacuum-actuated air cleaner opening helping to put the “Jet” in Cobra-Jet. The seller adds, “The car runs amazing…it is rarer than a Shelby and drives better than any I have ever had“. The mileage is recorded as 68K miles but it is not stated if that reading is genuine – an inquiry will have to be made.

Inside is a typical Mustang GT vinyl-clad environment but its “Code 2D Red” upholstery contrasts perfectly with the “Code A Raven Black” exterior. The seats, dash, instrument panel, door panels, and carpet show as new – this Mustang’s interior needs nothing! Though not stated, the radio appears to be a non-OEM, modern unit.

Well, there you have it – beautiful, rare, and fast. Forget about that San Francisco leeper, if you want a rare, and close-to-perfect, Mustang, one that can rest on its existential laurels, here you go – this one is for you!