The insanely popular Ford Mustang was treated to its first restyle in 1967, which included enlarging the engine compartment for big blocks. Changes were few in 1968, with the 302 cubic inch V8 replacing the 289 mid-year. The seller has a nice ’68 coupe that looks to have been restored before it got into an accident that bent up its rear end. With no reported frame damage, this pony car is in Westport, Washington, and is available here on craigslist for $10,000 OBO.
If you parked a ’67 Mustang next to a ’68 Mustang, one way to tell them apart was the addition of side marker lights on the latter. That was a safety mandate for all U.S. automakers. We’re told this Mustang has a 302 V8 and an automatic transmission, but there’s no mention made of numbers-matching. Nor does the seller say anything about a restoration, but the quality of the red paint and the new black interior suggests that was the case.
Despite the rear damage, we’re told the Ford is solid underneath and runs well at nearly 118,000 miles (another reason to think the car was refreshed). No photos beneath the hood are provided to determine if any bling was added to the 302. Due to it having been in an accident, we’re told the best you’re going to get with the sale is a rebuilt title. Presumably, you could drive the car the way it is, but why would you?
To repair the damage to this Mustang, you’ll need a new trunk lid and pan, rear valance, driver’s side rear quarter panel, and a rear bumper. Doesn’t sound so bad, or does it? The seller (a flipper?) is open to offers and trades. Pass or save?
Here’s a fun story,,,my nephews 1st car was a ’67 Mustang coupe like this. It was his HS auto shop ( remember those?) project, IDK, mid 90s, and turned out really well. Sadly, he was rear ended similar to this, and after that, the car wouldn’t run. My brother didn’t have time, and had it towed to the local Ford dealer. Get this, mid 90s, mind you, NOBODY in the auto repair part could work on a carburetor! They ended up taking it to the truck repair part, where a sharp old timer determined, the accident moved the gas tank and pinched the gas line.
Damage aside, this is a great find and easy repair. The mags are a bit much, but I bet 90% of Mustangs sold were just like this.
Well….a ’67 had one-year-only twin scoops just behind the doors…certainly a dead giveaway for those…
yup, that and the big difference in the steering wheel. To anyone that has/had either a 67 or 68, those were the most obvious differences just glancing. From the front, trim in the grill area was different as well. And if you bought a new one mid year 67 on a standard 3 year finance loan by the time mid year 68 rolled around you would be one year closer to getting the “pink slip” than those of us that bought our 68s mid year. Mine got rear-ended similarly about one year after buying it, was never the same after that. What happened to the 36 month auto loan days?
I have driven worse.
We all had our share of Hoopies.
Pcs. of Crayola that fit our budgets, to get us from here to there, untill we got some cash together.
Theres likely more damage to the car than what you see. After all it is a unibody
Yes. For the asking price there should be more picture of the damaged areas. Does it have a rebuilt title due to this accident or some other reason?
Potential buyers need to go over this with a fine tooth comb, if they aren’t willing to look out for their own interests, nobody else will.
Steve R
yes, it will be more than “skin deep”, know from experience.
I agree DW. When you look at the drivers side, there’s not only damage to the quarter panel but it looks like it threw the door off alignment. I would be worried about frame damage also. So $10,000 sounds a a little steep to me.
No doubt the unibody left rail has a buckle and it can be sectioned. The quarter can be saved using multiple mount clamps with one tower after mounting on the rack. Shame there isn’t any photos of the rest of the damage though. Looks like someone did a partial pull as the left rear lower quarter was into the tire and the bumper was used for the pull thinking it would help. Definitely negotiate down as having a salvage title will drop the value considerably.
$10K is insane for this……….sorry but these are like belly buttons!
This particular year has one of the ugliest factory steering wheels!!!!
Funny how for these the fastback style is more desirable. By the late ‘80s Fox bodies it’s the notchback that’s more desirable.
You can buy the rear quarters, deck hood, etc. to turn a coupe into a Sportsroof (Fastback)
Supposedly the trouble is finding the folding back seat.
I grew up in a body shop and have pushed or pulled a whole lot worse than that. Including pushing the top back to original. Check out the drivers side door. Gap is not right be lucky to get it opened and closed. Usually a salvage title is given when the car has been totaled by insurance.
I was a collision tech for 38 years there is more damage to the uni body then you can see .Look at the driver’s door and fender gap. Door is under the fender.
I get a smile when I see ’64 to ’67 Mustangs selling, even in this condition, selling for 10k, 20k , 30 and beyond.
When my friends and I were in highschool these were quite literally disposable. Never spent more than $250 on any of them and never put a dime on them. Drive them until the front end collapsed or the bearings spun.
Memories
Bought my 66 for 25 bucks, blown engine, in 72.
rusted rear quarters already at 6 years old.
In 74 a friend bought a 65 conv. for 350.
A buddy of mine bought a ’67 Mustang convertible for $100 in 1977. Thought he got a screaming deal until he took a sweeping right turn and the car kept going straight.
That’s a beautiful color, and I think the person who fixes this will be well rewarded with a good, reliable head-turner.
No frame unibody. Its kinked. The car is toast more work than its worth. Good parts car though.
Never ceases to amaze me every time I see a classic crinkle up being all steel & not plastic & fiberglass like modern era. But when ya look at both front & rear bumpers on most golden oldies……
Interesting posts. Still get an education on this site. 👍 Funny, just tonight, on Offerup, they got a rear total clip, from the back of the doors, straight across the roof, for sale. Same freaking color…
with that 1/4 panel buckled like that you can bet there’s damage that a frame machine will show. that was a hard hit. for10k you can find a better horse.
must all ready be a newer redo must have repop qts has 68 side markers in qts 67 didn’t have them
How can they ask $10,000 for a car with a bashed in rearend? Only a fool, or an Englishman would pay this!
Yes it can be fixed. I love these. I’ve done, shall we say a bit of body work in my life, I’d be willing to do 5000 but certainly not 10,000. Unless you have access to everything including a frame puller the cost of repairs is not going to be cheap.
I’m the guy who would Pop out the rear taillights put a thick piece of steel in the trunk with bolts going through the taillight holes fastened to a chain and the other end of the chain would be Hooked to a power pole or the back of my truck to see if I can pull it back to mostly straight
no frame, just a lot of bent sheet metal, too much money for a wreck.