The auction for this 1968 Ford Mustang California Special ends tomorrow, and the seller claims it has seen very little use in his 20 years of ownership. The California Special was a special edition model designed to boost sales in a slowing cycle, and they borrowed heavily from the styling of the Shelby cars of the era. No major performance enhancements were introduced, but that hasn’t stopped genuine C/S cars from becoming collector’s items. This example is said to retain its original interior and wear mostly original paint, with 85,000 miles on the clock. The body looks quite sound and it seems like the type of car you can simply use as-is or make modest improvements to if perfection is your goal. Find it here on eBay with bidding up to $17,500 and no reserve.
One of the most distinct features of the California Special is its taillight panel, which features non-sequential 1965 Thunderbird taillights. Other upgrades include a cleanly-integrated rear spoiler, side scoops, and stripes/decal kit. What I’ve always dug about the C/S cars is that unlike so many other special editions, Ford actually swapped in different body panels to set them apart. A decal kit wasn’t enough in this instance, and most manufacturers continue to limit special edition tweaks to bolt-on pieces only (if at all). While I’m sure it made the C/S cars more expensive to build, it also makes them far more desirable today than other limited edition models that only got the sticker treatment.
For an original interior, it is holding up incredibly well. Pictures show front and rear seats in nicely aged condition; the back seat looks like it’s hardly been used. The dashboard does show some signs of wear and tear, but nothing significant. The original factory radio and steering wheel also remain in place. Though the C/S cars were only sold in two specific sales districts in California (this was common practices in the 60s and 70s, when dealers in specific markets could request a special edition model be offered by the manufacturer), this example has made its way east, and is offered for sale in New York. The seller doesn’t specify how long it has resided on the East Coast, which would help determine whether it has ever been exposed to winter and salt-encrusted roads.
I’m assuming not, as the seller is rather explicit about the fact that he doesn’t drive the Mustang very much, if ever. Despite this, he claims his mechanic gave it a once-over and came away impressed with the overall condition. Of course, this doesn’t provide much in the way of insights about the mechanical health of the drivetrain or whether it will have any immediate needs. While numerous engines were offered, most came equipped with the 289 V8, which is the kind of engine that will absolutely get the job done, even if it doesn’t immediately pin your ears back. California Specials come up for sale infrequently at best, and this example’s East Coast location will likely get more than a few bidders from the Tri-State area into the action.
It went from owned for 2 years and not driven very often to had for 20 years and never drove it.
“California Specials come up for sale infrequently at best”…and this is the third one in approximately this color on Barn Finds in the last few days…do like them, nice cars.
Came here to say this. It’s like the writers don’t read the site.
I love the T-Bird tail lights on these. I’ve always thought of them as the Shelby GT500 taillights. I didn’t know they were from the T-Bird. It’s obvious now through.
Was in Texas around 1998 – see inspection sticker and has the 1968 Teas plates – can anyone make out the city of the dealer tag on the trunk ?
Someone snatched it up. It’s gone.