One of the more unique Ford Mustangs ever sold was the original California Special (CS)/ High Country Special. Personally, I consider this one of my favorite Mustang models offered, right up there with the four-eyed Saleen Fox bodies and the police pursuit models. The CS shown here is perhaps even more compelling than your standard CS model as it was ordered by a Ford dealer as a promotional vehicle and is loaded up with options: GT trim, the optional 390 engine, and the California Special package. Find it here on eBay with bids to $29,100 and the reserve unmet.
The California Special was, by all accounts, a very nice dress up kit. However, unlike other special editions wherein the premium cost is attributed to decals and badges, the CS and High Country Special featured not only stickers but also bodywork cues from the Shelby Mustangs. The rear taillight panel is the most obvious one, with additional tweaks including a rear decklid spoiler, faux brake ducts on the quarter panels, Lucas or Marchal fog lamps, a blacked out grill, and GT hubcaps. Now, you could find these with a six-cylinder engine, but when equipped with the optional V8s like this CS, it becomes the best of all worlds.
The seller notes that this particular CS is one of 24 cars that got all the major options boxes checked. The packages were intended to showcase just how extensively upgraded the Mustang could be if a customer wanted to make the ultimate muscle car. The specific options include the GT heavy duty suspension group; the S-code GT 390-4V engine; and of course, the CS appearance package. The seller also speculates that this car embodies what Shelby always wanted to create in the form of a “Super Coupe,” a car with the CS trim and S-code GT 390 drivetrain.
The seller believes the 72K miles on the clock to be accurate. In addition, it has had just one respray in its factory colors. The interior, as shown above, is in fantastic condition. Other details worth noting is what the GT Equipment Package got you, which includes the quad exhaust pipes, 14×6 wheels, larger front disc brakes, performance tires, upgraded suspension components, and a heavy-duty front sway bar. With 325 horsepower and 427 lb.-ft. of torque, this California Special is about as good as it gets from an options perspective. Do you think it will reach $50,000?
Beautiful, don’t think $50,000 would be out of the question but probably mid 40s is more realistic.
That’s a real good find!
Beautiful Stang, and it very well might hit fifty or more. Looking at the window sticker though it states it has a “conventional” rear axle. Does that mean no Posi?
Yes, but it’s easy to remedy, which I would do regardless of the door tag or Marti report.
Steve R
Believe these came equipped with a relatively tall rear gear from the Ford Factory 🏭. Real highway fliers. The 390 Mustangs are very cool. Greg said it, great find. Thanks Lavery.
It’s nicely equipped, for certain, but I wouldn’t call it “loaded.” No A/C, no console, standard interior, no tilt wheel, no vinyl roof, etc.
The California Special was inspired by the prototype 1967 Shelby GT500 coupe nicknamed “Little Red.”
I like the car, but they gotta do something about the junk in the trunk stance!
Sweet looking Mustang. From a time when loaded referred to appearance, decor, mechanical and a few niceties. Back then tilt column and power windows weren’t always on the option list.
Options boxes were not all ticked by any means, but still a nice Mustang. Probably will be bought by a collector. Would look nice in my garage.
The stripe has to go.
A very nice Mustang, good pictures and appears to be very solid, but some curious repair done to the left rear wheel well.
I don’t know about 50K, but this is a really nice automobile. I had a friend that had a ’68 fastback with the S code 390 4 speed and that thing would really get after it. With a 4 speed, this thing would be a ton of fun.
I’ve been aware of these since new and have seen many. I definitely like them. I learned something new today reading this. I had absolutely no idea they could be had with a 6 cylinder. I realize they aren’t a performance package in general but a 6 in one seems kind of wrong. I’m not anti 6 cylinder but for me anyway, it seems out of place in a car like this. For the record I do know that the SS package could be gotten with a 6 also. Not my thing but more power to you if it is. That said, despite lack of a/c (that can be added) I very much like this car and the article was well written in my opinion.
Always liked the sequential tail lights and the general look of the ’68. But slushbo no bueno……and is missing the center console…..kind of off putting.
I believe the tailites do not flash sequentially on these.
Any made with a 428/4 speed?