This 1968 Mustang GT Convertible is an unmolested classic that has been parked for 40-years. The current owner has coaxed it back to life, and it now runs and drives. The Mustang is fitted with a few interesting options and needs someone to return it to its former glory. It has attracted a reasonable level of interest since the owner listed it for sale here on eBay. The Convertible is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and the bidding currently sits at $14,900. With the reserve now met, that new home is not far away.
The Mustang is finished in Royal Maroon, and it appears that it was treated to some form of restoration before it was parked. Both rear quarter panels were replaced during this process, and the owner admits that there is filler in a few spots around the car. There seems to be no visible external rust, but the story isn’t quite as good below decks. The frame rails and inner trunk panels are said to be fine, but the floors will need to be replaced. There is also rust visible in the torque box region, but it is hard to determine how bad this is. The vehicle features a black power top with a glass rear window, and I think this could be cleaned successfully. My most significant concern revolves around the alignment of the driver’s door with the frame and the front fender. This looks seriously out of whack, and I’d like to know why this is so. That’s one aspect of this car that might require some closer investigation.
It isn’t clear whether the GT is a numbers-matching vehicle, but it does feature a 302ci V8, a C4 automatic transmission, and power steering. This is where things take a positive turn because the Mustang does run and drive. After sitting for four decades, it did need some work. A fresh fuel tank and lines have been fitted, and all of the fluids have been replaced. The owner installed new brakes and also treated the car to a tune-up. He says that when he did this, that sweet little 302 coughed back into life as though it had only been started yesterday. He has taken it out for a short drive, and it appears that this went well. It will probably need a bit more work because the exhaust is looking pretty rusty. It isn’t likely to be the fastest Mustang on the planet, but with that V8 producing 230hp when in good health, it should still offer respectable performance levels.
The interior will require some attention if it is to be returned to its former glory, but the work isn’t likely to break the bank. The carpet looks pretty tired, so a new carpet set will need to go on the shopping list. The gauge surrounds on the instrument bezel have become discolored, which is a common sight. Reproduction bezels are easy to find for less than $50, and I’d be inclined to replace it as a matter of course. The rest of the interior would benefit from a healthy dose of elbow grease because I think this would reveal trim that isn’t going to need anything. The original owner chose to equip the GT with a console, a tilt-away wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio. All of these items remain in place, and all appear to be in good condition. It is nice to find a Mustang of this vintage that has received no aftermarket additions.
I like this 1968 Mustang GT Convertible, and at face value, it does show a lot of promise. The rust issues are pretty typical, and addressing them is not a complicated process. My primary concern revolves around the odd fit of the driver’s door, and it makes me wonder whether this is a classic that could be hiding a nasty secret. Only a personal inspection could provide the answer to that question. However, it hasn’t decreased interest in the vehicle because there have already been 20 bids submitted. Would you be tempted to join the bidding party on this one?
This one probably has some hidden rust issues. The door fit suggests rust in the torque box and frame rail – either they’re rusty, or were poorly repaired at some point in the past. Another clue is the tops of the inner fenders, where they overlap with the shock towers. Rust at these joints isn’t a guarantee of trouble underneath, but it’s not a good sign. Also, when the floors rust out in a convertible, they usually take the inner rocker panels with them, since there’s overlap where the floor, inner rocker, and outer rocker are joined.
Don’t let that scare you, though. It’s far more solid than the one I started with and still own, so there is no doubt it can be restored, and it will be sharp when done.
T-boned???
All good comments CC! The inner rocker replacement is not for the faint of heart. On a rustang, if you see a little rust that means there’s a lot of rust. Know what you are buying, its a beauty when done but you must pay the price and get a tetanus shot.
Cheers
GPC
Thinking this should be a GTA?
I think you are correct. Weren’t 67-68 Mustang GTs equipped with the 390 cubic inch engine vice the 302? If this car is a 68 instead of a 67, shouldn’t it have rear fender side marker lights?
GTA was 1967 only.
Have owned multiple 67 and 68 Mustang’s this one is going to need major metal replacement which costs major dollars.
The bidding is really out of whack for the costs involved. At best a perfect J code GT convertible would sell at the top end of probably $40-$50k.
Buyer beware…..
Should be a GTA vs a GT I believe
If it was a ‘67 it would have been a GTA as that was the only year of that designation for the Auto trans.
In 68 they did away with the GTA designation and just used GT for stick or auto.
Interesting as my wife had a 68 GTA fastback, auto, 302 4 bbl. it had GTA badging.
Plastic rear window, didn’t start using glass until 69. Good clue is a glass rear window always has the same top material panel at the bottom so the glass will then lay flat at the bottom of the top well.
Nice project car and worth the price of admission. Restored several. Everything is available. And Mustang values continually increase.
The front markers are there behind the bumper but it seems the rears are gone. The steering wheel is a 68 as are the wheel covers. I own a 67 FB GT. It came with a 289 4 bbl and a 4 speed. My brother had the same car but with a 390 and a 4 speed.