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Pony Project: 1968 Mustang Fastback

This ’68 Mustang recently popped up in our Classifieds and I couldn’t help but notice it! The redesigned ’67 and ’68 Mustang is one of my all time favorite designs. This particular example has rust issues, but being a Mustang means you can get every inch of metal to fix it or even a whole new body if you’d like! And on the upside, this car looks to be complete inside and out. If you’ve been on the hunt for a ’68 Fastback to restore, this one is worth a closer look. Find it here on eBay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a current bid just under $10k.

The seller states that the engine is original to the car and has just 40k miles on it. The fact that it’s an inline six paired to a C4 automatic might be a deal breaker for some, but the 200 cui engine is actually a great little engine with lots of torque. If the mileage is correct, there’s a good chance it will run great without much work. And there are performance parts out there for those that need more grunt. Or there’s always the option of swapping it out for a V8. The reason Ford redesigned the Mustang for ’67 was actually to make room for a big block, so if you just happen to have a 390, a 427 or a 428 on hand, any of those would be fun options!

Now let’s take a look at the interior, which the seller states as being beautiful. While it could use a good cleaning, it actually is in surprisingly nice shape. It looks like you could just shampoo the carpets, treat the vinyl upholstery and install a wood rimmed steering wheel to have it looking perfect. Even if it ends up needing new seat foams, not having to replace the entire interior saves a lot of money and time.

This Mustang creates some serious conundrums. The rust issues are a major concern that will take time and money, but aren’t impossible to fix. And the fact that it isn’t a V8 car does reduce it’s overall desirability. What am I saying, it’s a Fastback Mustang! Who doesn’t dream of owning one? While the rust is an issue for me, I’d be more than willing to fire up my MIG unit and get to work fixing it just to have one of my dream cars. I’d even be content with the inline six, although I might have to swap the C4 out for a manual. Down the road, if funds become available and I decide I have to have a V8, I’d swap it for a 302. So would you take on this Mustang? And if so, would you keep the inline six or would you install a V8 under the hood?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rodent

    Way too much rust for me. I would be afraid to flatbed it for fear of it breaking in half.

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  2. Avatar CCFisher

    Seems fully priced and then some for a well-rusted 6-cylinder, fastback or not. My ’68 was in worse shape than this one when I bought it, but it’s a J-code convertible, and I bought for a fraction of what this one is currently bid to, so there was no question it was worth it. That having been said, I am not anxious to repeat the process. Count me among those who would rather pay for an original or restored car. I’d even prefer starting with a brand new shell to so much rust repair.

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  3. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    No way

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  4. Avatar MikeSuperSport

    Too much rust. You’ll be upside down through the whole project start to finish.

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  5. Avatar Bill

    What a mess. Maybe for $500. Too much rust. Plus, that means 4 lugs and 4 drum manual brakes, no power steering, no a/c, 6 cylinder suspension, no limited slip rear end. If someone would give $10000 for this, they have more money than sense.

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    • Avatar Steve R

      Whoever buys it won’t use any of the parts you mention, they will be upgraded with modern parts. The buyer wants the shell and a VIN.

      I don’t think it’s worth $10,000, but $500 is an even more ridiculous price.

      Steve R

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  6. Avatar bruce greg

    This stang needs everything, looks like 140k , not to mention the COWL repair alone, at least $5k, floors, rails, torque boxes, trunk floors & drops inner aprons, 1/4s, inner & outter w/w s, doors, fenders….and so on,you would have 2-3 times what 6 cyl. car would be worth. If this guy gets more than $4k American for this, the buyer better put on a foil hat so we can find him.

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  7. Avatar Neil

    When buying a car to restore the most important thing is it’s not all rusted out.
    No one would be happy to get thier MIG welder out to work on this. The 6 cylinder is the final insult, the only thing to do with this car is crush it.

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  8. Avatar redwagon

    that’s frame rust on a unibody car. fixable but costly and not for the faint of heart.

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  9. Avatar JW

    Too much bodywork not to mention just a 6 banger with a auto trans it is already bid too high. Fastbacks bring good money but not rusty ones.

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  10. Avatar Russ8895

    Lots of rust there, not a convertible and a 6 cyl. Despite that a clear title and running are a plus.

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  11. Avatar John T

    The automatic transmission makes it a dealbreaker for me, Would have loved to see this with a 3-speed stick shift. It’s a crying shame that this car has so much rust, maybe best used as a parts car. Otherwise I think a 5.0 (302) V8 with a 5-speed (or the automatic if you insist) from a wrecked Fox Body Mustang would be a great swap. I could see the 200-CID straight six living on as a transplant in a Falcon or a Maverick or even a Fairmont.

    Like 0
    • Avatar John T

      Bidding is at $9950 and the Reserve is still not met with 20 minutes remaining … I did not think that the bidding would get anywhere near that high.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Tim Deal

    Crush it

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    Sadly it appears to have enough rust to make an Alfa Romeo look good! I’ve said this before, and I believe it’s worth repeating: I believe that some of these cars (if restored to 100% original condition) would make good long-term investments. These types of base model cars were the least desirable of their brand when new. As a result they were either used as a base for major modifications, or were driven into the ground and then scrapped. There are few immaculate ones kicking around in original condition. That rarity could potentially make them quite valuable to die-hard collectors in the future. Just food for thought.

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  14. Avatar Troy s

    Let’s face it, the vast majority of the early Mustangs we’re sporty looking basic transportation car’s, not high performance street sweepers, although some may actually think every fast back was equipped with some kinda hot V8. All early Mustangs are collectable, have been for years, and it always surprises me a bit to see one in rough shape like this.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended: Jan 02, 2018 , 8:05PM
    Winning bid:US $10,050.00
    [ 20 bids ]

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Pete

    SMDH this is slotted for a Dyncon body transfer and then made to look like an Elanore clone I’d wager. I agree with everyone else. Do all that work to put it back and all you would end up with is a 6 banger fastback. It just won’t bring you back your investment for another 20 years. Yeah it would be fun to drive to shows. Then you would have to answer everybody asking you how come ya didn’t put in a 302 and 5 lug wheels and stuff. That would be a buzzkill for all that work.

    Like 0

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