If you’re a car enthusiast, it’s always a fun time when a manufacturer develops a regional-specific example of your favorite auto, which is what happened for buyers of Ford’s pony car on the West Coast during the late sixties.  An offering known as the GT/CS, or California Special, was a Mustang designed by Shelby American, a company founded by Carroll Shelby in 1962.  During the Mustang’s first generation, the California Special package was available only on the 1968 hardtop coupe, with the name not appearing again until 2007.  This 1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS here on eBay is a running project that is said to have remained in the Golden State its entire life, and is currently living in Costa Mesa.  You can own it today for the buy-it-now price of $19,500, but the seller has also provided the opportunity to make him an offer.

While the California Special does share a few exterior similarities with the beloved Shelby Mustang, it’s mostly a trim package, which could have been equipped with any engine in the Mustang lineup.  This one’s powered by the entry-level V8, and while the only lesser choice in ’68 was an inline-6, the 289 here is reportedly the original component.  It’s said to still run smoothly and quietly, with the supplied video seeming to back up this claim.  This CS also features an automatic transmission, but no details are provided regarding its condition.

Shelby American made it easy to identify a California Special, as special badging was included on the rear quarter panels, along with scoops behind the doors that read “GT/CS”.  Other touches included fog lights up front, a spoiler in the rear, and those way-cool Shelby-inspired taillights.  The seller describes the body as arrow-straight, with the only known corrosion being small rust spots on each door near the lower front corners.  All of the sheet metal is stated as original, and beneath all that patina appears to be a mostly solid foundation to work with.

Though the interior could use refreshing, it appears to be mostly complete, plus the seller also provides a laundry list of new parts that will be included, such as a full reupholstery kit, headliner, and carpeting.  Some additional good news comes from down below, as the rails and floors seem to remain strong and sturdy overall.  This one’s not exactly eye candy as it sits, but the beauty here appears to be the solid nature of most of the metal, and I’m thinking this 1968 Ford Mustang California Special is probably excellent project material.  What are your thoughts?