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S-Code 390: 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback

The Ford Mustang got its first styling update in 1967. But nothing that changed its looks. Sales weren’t as robust as they were in 1965-66, but how can you top 1.2 million units anyway? This fastback was an S-Code model, meaning it came from the factory with a 390 V-8 and 4-speed. Two problems: 1) the car was driven into a house (yes, I said house) by a prior owner, and 2) the 390 engine is long gone, having been replaced before the accident with a 5.0-liter engine from a 1993 Mustang GT. There will be a lot to sort out here, likely more than the seller wants to deal with now. Located in Valley, Nebraska and available here on eBay, the bidding is up to $11,156 and the reserve is still outstanding.

The S-Code Mustang was not an especially rare car when new. One of the Mustang forums says that 19,398 1967 fastbacks were equipped with the 390 engine and – of those – 11,160 had the 4-speed manual. As the story goes, the previous owner had a low-speed altercation with a house and the house won. The seller has had the car for more than five years and may have started the process of rebuilding it as all the front sheet metal is off. There is an extra set of fenders and hood to go with the car in addition to the mangled pieces that have been removed. There is no mention whether the frame was damaged as a result of the car vs. house incident. The Mustang is said to have a clean title; if a claim had gone through insurance, a salvage title would be more likely, right?

At some point prior to the accident, the Mustang parted company with its S-Code engine and a 1993 Mustang GT donated its motor as a replacement. The 4-speed was jettisoned in favor of an automatic transmission. The seller tells us some of the floors have been replaced but doesn’t mention if that’s accident-related or due to rust. What we can see of the rest of the body looks okay from inside the dark garage where it resides.

The interior may or may not be intact. The driver’s seat is torn, but the seller tells us the console broke in the crash (wow; that sounds like more than a low mph hit to me). The car was equipped with the desirable pony interior when it was new and is said to have a 6K tachometer. The radio and heater controls have been removed. I’ve never seen a Mustang with a double set of taillights before. Six on each side and this car has them. I thought I knew a fair amount about Mustangs, but I never saw one like this. Could you actually buy one this way or did someone come up a DIY project?

A top-shelf 1967 Mustang fastback is worth at least $30,000 according to Hagerty. What would the S-Code designation add to that? And what would the missing S-Code engine subtract along with the body damage that must be attended to? Several bidders seem to think there is potential for this car – possibly gold — but I’m still wrapping my head around it. The engine was the trump card.

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    It was once a good looking Mustang but as can be witnessed in the 3rd photo this car is a true basket case! Some frame shop time and a lot of work to put this right. Since it’s no longer original and numbers matching ditch the 5.0 and consider a 390 or 428 to make a return. Not saying the 5.0 is a bad engine by any means just seems like a step back.

    Like 30
    • Avatar Eric B

      Ha that one took me a minute. I haven’t had my coffee yet : )

      Like 6
    • Avatar Raymond

      It’s sad when someone takes number matching engine out of car it’s no good if thought that number matching 390

      Like 4
    • Avatar Steve Clinton

      I get it! LOL

      Like 2
  2. Avatar KC John Member

    Was the six taillights an option? Wow. Questions like that make me feel so old. Lol. Uh, no. But back in the day we did whatever we wanted to to these things. They were just cars. Not long term investments. Modifying our stuff was what you did. Guys with stock wheels and no mods were lame. In retrospect maybe not all modifications were excellent. Anyone remember shackle extensions on our leaf springs? I’d bet the guy or gal who did this back in the day got quite a few thumbs up. Just my humble Sunday morning opinion. Lol

    Like 55
    • Avatar bud lee

      Shackles , air shocks , traction bars , cutting the factory lip off the rear quarters to accommadate 50’s . Yeah we ruined these cars .

      Like 48
    • Avatar Eric B

      Good points. Those tail lights make me want to cry, throw up and punch whomever did that. How could they?! But, if they were done way back in the day, I bet literally everyone thought it was the coolest thing ever. Perspective.

      Like 27
    • Avatar Autoworker

      Double tailights = Family Truckster lol

      Like 23
    • Avatar Dante

      California edition models had those taillights

      Like 2
      • Avatar Ten50boy

        California Specials did not have those taillights. Those are doubled factory lights. California Specials had different lights.

        Like 4
    • Avatar Terry R Melvin

      I’ve seen a couple of these “six tail lights” Mustangs. Also a couple of 64-66 Mustangs with double tail lights (four housings instead of two). Just someone’s idea of customizing.

      Like 1
  3. Avatar gaspumpchas

    is it m or do the inner fenders look bent? maybe thats why the fenders are off, all the goodies to make this a screamer are gone. up to 11 large and hasnt hit reserve. Better look this one over good. For petes sake it hit a house! Good luck and stay safe
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 20
    • Avatar ken tilly UK Member

      Yeah the drivers side inner fender sure looks buckled and bent quite seriously to my eyes.

      Like 6
      • Avatar BOB CHAFE

        as a retired auto body guy, i would say from the 3rd picture,that was no slow impact.got a couple of extra kinks in the inner structure, that i do not remember as factory. that said. a couple of good tugs to pull it straight,replace the inner fillers, probably the rad support, make it square, install a FE/4 gear, and have a lot of fun.

        Like 2
    • Avatar Timothy Phaff

      BENT,,,So is the dash from the driver’s knee’s and then the bond packed 1/4 panels
      .

      Like 3
    • Avatar Terry R Melvin

      The house is up for sale on eBay too.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Dave Onorato

    “low mph”…

    Like 6
    • Avatar Shane

      Low speed impact = any hit below 100 mph

      Like 11
    • Avatar John

      The house was not moving.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Keith Mconnel

        “doggone house shouldn’t have been in the crosswalk, Officer..
        I had to swerve but sadly, I clipped it a little..
        oh.. the beer, no you go ahead and take this one, I have three more in the passenger seat”
        Haha

        Like 3
  5. Avatar Argy

    Think the collector car world has seen enough overpriced Gone In 60 Seconds tribute cars? I think there’s about to be one more!

    Like 11
  6. Avatar MrBZ

    11k for this?

    Like 11
  7. Avatar Bob Brown

    Double tailights—-DIY Kit.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mike

      DIY? More like Let’s Screw Up This Car Kit…

      Like 5
  8. Avatar Troy s

    Not that it makes one bit of difference but I always thought ’67’s had the bumper car safety steering wheel unlike this one. Probably changed it out anyways. The second picture shows what would have been a pretty neat looking cruiser, from there it gets ugly quick. Only thing I don’t like about the swap was using an automatic behind the 5.0, especially on an original manual car.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Gary

      My first 67 Mustang had a very small after market steering wheel on it when I bought it. My dad said it was going to be the first thing replaced since he had trouble turning with it. We ended up getting a ’69 rimblow from the local parts yard to replace it.

      Like 3
      • Avatar John

        In the day, we always presumed that the tiny steering wheel was to facilitate driving while handcuffed.

        Like 6
    • Avatar MorganW

      That’s a ’68 Mustang steering wheel.

      Like 4
    • Avatar Greg W

      That is a 1968 steering wheel.

      Like 3
  9. Avatar JOE HINTON

    The only reason that someone would pay over two times the value of a car-IMO- is that they want the VIN/ Title and Marti report which will then lead to some shenanigans with a pristine car but lacking the desired Marti report info. With some hocus pocus a “new , rare , low owner, never damaged collector auto will enter the world ,having the sought after info. The insurance company and the next owner of the newly fabricated car will not be very happy about that slight of hand, but they may never know. How many know where to look or have ever seen the hidden factory ID numbers anyway. But with major frame damage and other repair this is definitely a “buyer beware ” purchase. I know of what I speak, I have purchased a motorcycle and a 20’s auto that had that done. The DMV could not spot it.

    Like 16
  10. Avatar Bernie H

    I need to see the VIN, as the quarter panel and interior tell me its a 68′ vehicle, not a 67′. Either case, $3000 would top price for the condition if the replacement parts are usable. Hey, you’d end up with an extra set of taillights!!!—–BONUS!

    Like 9
    • Avatar Eric B

      The VIN says 67 and the quarters are 67, with the two small vents just behind the door. 68 didn’t have those. But, good point about the interior or at least the steering wheel. Why would anyone swap THAT steering wheel (68 only) into their car?! Maybe they swapped in an interior from a wrecked 68 for some reason.

      As far as price goes…..you may want to check what these are selling for now in good condition : )

      Like 6
      • Avatar Kris

        I noted the same on the quarter panels and the steering wheel. I had a 67 I purchased in August of 1970. I had a 68 steering wheel and after some digging I found out the car was a late model year production and FORD used some 68 parts, one being steering wheels. Crazy!

        Like 3
    • Avatar Ten50boy

      Definitely a 67. That’s the stainless deluxe interior. It has the correct quarter vents behind the doors too. That is 68 steering steering wheel though. The car is a hot mess. The crazy bidding is most likely being done for a fraud of a potential re-body. Sad. It would be nice to get it and part it, just to prevent someone from trying to put this nightmare back on the road after sectioning it or committing a fraudulent re-body as stated. If rebuilt……. it would need more work than it’s worth at the asking price. If re-bodied, nothing will be original but the VIN. Terrible for the hobby either way.

      Like 5
    • Avatar Ten50boy

      The quarter panels have the fake vents. They are 67’s

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Jeff

    BUYER BEWARE > LOTS OF HIDDEN DAMAGE

    https://i.postimg.cc/c4ztCZMw/57.jpg

    Like 9
    • Avatar Roy L

      That last picture shows all the damage we need to see.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Robert May

    Steering wheel is from ’68. The interior door handles are ’67 as is the door card. The taillights don’t make sense. I had a ’68 Mustang and I looked at every catalog available and that panel is sold with 3 holes for the lights on each side and a hole for the gas cap in the middle. That said, if someone added these on this car, they did a good job! All 12(!) bezels and lights are straight and equally spaced from each other. I wonder if they are supposed to flash sequentially like the Cougar’s?

    Like 10
    • Avatar George

      To me, that would be the only reason to do that.

      Like 6
  13. Avatar Mark

    You guys see the basket in the front passenger seat. That’s what your getting a basket case. That whole front clip is bent all the way back to the rear end. The house won. No one in their right mind would pay more than a couple grand for this mess. A few salvable parts like the gas tank and 12 tail lights. By the way no 67 came like that from the factory

    Like 8
    • Avatar Nick

      It’s hard to tell from the photo of the front, but it looks as though they may be deformation in the roof.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Big Al

        Looks like driver A pillar bent,…repaired,and very badly at that!!

        Like 1
  14. Avatar Geoff

    I am seldom shocked at the amounts of money that get thrown at some of these old wrecks, but the biddings at $15.6k and the reserve’s not met?

    Like 2
  15. Avatar CraigR

    Crazy money for this roach. It’s a parts car at best.

    Like 4
  16. Avatar Larry McGaw

    I had trouble getting past the first two sentences (which really should have been one). How does a styling change not change the looks?

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Geoff Anthony

    People have been watching to many TV auctions. Everyone thinks there car can be turned into cash. What was PT Barnum’s line oh yeah One born every minute. I would not give you 500.00 for this pile of rust. And would much rather have a 289 or 302 much lighter in the front end with some chance of being able to go around a corner.

    Like 1
  18. Avatar Bunky

    Previous “expert” comments aside, Mustangs were indeed sold from the factory with 6 window taillights. Offered on the late ‘68 “California Special”. Coupes only, and yes, they had sequential turn signals courtesy of their ‘65 T-bird taillights.
    A couple of observations on this particular car: it’s a shame that the original 390/4 speed combo is gone, and of course the damage is a negative. (I fixed a ‘71 Ranchero that was hurt worse than this)
    This car is only for those who own, and wear, “Big Boy Pants”. As for the value- that will be determined by a willing seller, and a willing buyer. If it’s too hard, and or too much, with all due respect, quit whining and step aside. The new owner will have the opportunity to save an awesome car!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Eric B

      “Mustangs were indeed sold from the factory with 6 window taillights”

      Not in the configuration shown on this car, which is what everyone is referring to. Someone just added 3 more stock mustang taillights back in the day. Yes, some specialty coupes in 68, like the CS, “high country” edition, etc. incorporated some Shelby bodywork, including the taillights they were using from the T bird.

      Like 5
      • Avatar David

        Eric and Bunky, I saw a truck in Calif carrying new Mustangs with 6 tail lights , at least the ones I could see. Don’t remember where it was or when, but I told others about it and they couldn’t believe it… so I wasn’t crazy….at least about that !

        Like 1
    • Avatar Hekler

      In my “not quite as expert” opinion, the 6 lens tailights that were available on the ’68 California Specials ARE NOT the same as the ones homebrewed onto this car.

      Like 5
    • Avatar MorganW

      Tail lights on the ’68 California Special were not sequential. http://californiaspecial.com/1968-GTCS-identification.htm

      Like 2
    • Avatar Ten50boy

      Those California Specials had t-bird lights. Borrowed design from the Shelby. These were grafted in later, after production. I wear “big boy pants” and granted, some may want to throw tons of time and money at this wreck, but in actuality…… it isn’t a good idea. This is more or less a parts car. Just the opinion of a long time insurance adjuster/claims supervisor and former body shop guy

      Like 0
  19. Avatar Eric B

    I keep coming back to this listing. I didn’t look closely enough at the ebay listing. If you scroll down a ways there’s a complete grouping of photos that show more than just what’s towards the top. One shows the metal dash being twisted in the center where the radio would be (!). The house most definitely won. Years ago this would be a parts car. Now, some high end (or not) resto shop will pay what seems to be crazy money, go through it, put a 390 back in and sell it for 75. To someone who will probably have no clue it once looked like this. It’s the right time to be selling a 67-68 fastback, clearly regardless of condition.

    Like 2
    • Avatar gaspumpchas

      Yea Eric the bent dash is a giveaway, and a dent in the roof has always been one criteria for totaling a car by the ins co. If you wanted your car totalled, take a 2×4 and a hammer to the roof. This guy knew what he was doing when he removed the damaged front end, Know what you are buying and good luck
      Cheers
      GPC

      Like 2
  20. Avatar Big Grouch

    I spent years arguing with someone who still insists that 1967 Corvettes came with 6 taillights. Lots of C2 Vettes ended up with that mod, Jan and Dean even brought it up in “Dead Man’s Curve.”

    Like 6
  21. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    S code? The original engine configuration is gone………..in …….sixty.seconds! I couldnt help myself!

    You know the internet gives sellers access to those with more money than sense. I agree with the vin hypothesis. This is a bucket of rusty bolts………….many of them MIA.

    I suppose if you could pick it up for 1500 bucks you might.temporarily stay out of the poor house. But in the end you better hope for the bigger fool theory coming through after you pay 15 large for this.

    I can’t look at the tailights without getting a brain freeze.

    Like 3
  22. Avatar Steve Clinton

    The only plus to buying this partial Mustang is you don’t have to wax and polish the front fenders and hood.

    Like 1
  23. Avatar Leman

    This WRECK is not worth $12.00 unless someone has more money than brains

    Like 1
  24. Avatar Steve Clinton

    I wonder why fastbacks sell for so much more than regular Mustangs. Is it because there aren’t as many?

    Like 0
  25. Avatar John

    In the day, we always presumed that the tiny steering wheel was to facilitate driving while handcuffed.

    Like 0
  26. Avatar Timothy Phaff

    The steering wheel was changed after the crash, I mean look at the ash tray that’s pushed in from the driver’s right knee and the Bondo 1/4 pannels plus the passenger’s head spidered the windshield.

    Like 1
  27. Avatar Jeff

    The windshield damage might have been prevented with a factory correct “My Pillow Air Bag System”, now we are returning to your sponsored local broadcast channel.

    Like 2
  28. Avatar jeff

    Seller should put reserve met now.

    Like 0
  29. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    Sold for just short of $20,000.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Big Al

      Unbelievable, shows how stupidity has taken over!

      Like 2
  30. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    I’m a court recognized accident reconstruction & vehicle damage expert, forensic vehicle mechanic, and I can often deduce the actual accident situation.

    While I’m basing my comments solely on photos that I didn’t take, I have strong feeling that this car either hit a VERY well built building [IE a structure built of reinforced concrete for example], or it met another vehicle, both going at high speed.

    About 80% of the “resistive force” this vehicle encountered is to the right half of the car’s front. This is commonly seen in a head-on collision where the cars did not hit perfectly head-on, it’s also a common result of a vehicle striking a structure like a bridge abutment.

    The right strut tower appears to be at least 8 inches rearward when compared to the left strut tower, and the left one is a couple of inches to the rear of where it should be. The distance between the right strut tower and firewall is NOT 10 inches less. This suggests the right side of the firewall is pushed back anywhere between 4 and 8 inches. [There is no photo shown from the side of the vehicle at the base of the windshield, that would show this difference.] In addition, BOTH frame torque boxes appear to be ripped apart at the welded seams.

    Yes, anything can be fixed. But restored to perfection? To do so will require a donor car’s body from the front floors forward, including the windshield pillars & front of the roof [trimmed to fit to the undamaged panel sections].

    Trying to “pull” out the seriously damaged panels will allow everything to be put back to factory frame specification, but because all [and I mean all] of the panels on the front half of the car’s body are stretched and warped terribly, it’s damn near impossible to bring these damaged panels to “100% original look and specifications”. It’s gonna require a complete front half of a donor car.

    The seller says it’s got a clear title, so either the accident was not reported or an insurance claim not made, or the accident happened before insurance companies were required to report a totaled car to state authorities. I would be concerned that while that title appears clear, when the new owner attempts to put it into their name, it comes back with a salvage title report.

    This happens when the existing title was issued before the accident date, so therefore it was never marked as a salvage title. When an owner elects to retain ownership of a vehicle, they are issued a salvage title, but not required to send in the old title.

    Bad actors simply give a new owner the old title that appears to be clear. Not saying this has happened with this car, but it can and does happen.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Steve Bush Member

      Great take Bill. From the eBay ad, it was bid to $19,957 and didn’t meet reserve after 78 bids. Unbelievable! The seller is greedy and the bidders are either looking to do a VIN switch or are really stupid to go so high on this wrecked, rusty, POS.

      Like 4
    • Avatar Eric B

      Thanks for the write up. I have a hard time wrapping my head around what these are starting to go for. I own one and I’m going to be scared to drive it if it’s going to be worth some insane amount. I think I’d rather sell and make a pretty penny on it. One could also just want the top off of this one to graft on to a coupe, but is that worth 20 grand?

      Also, one thing I tried not to think about and I do, but also don’t want to know is; any take on what would’ve happened to the occupants of the car? Obviously it would not be good, just to what level : ( I wasn’t around when these cars were and often wonder how so many of them even survived, along with their owners. Ridiculous amount of HP stuffed in a tin box with poor suspension, brakes, lap belts only and no safety features. I think I know why the steering wheel was replaced. On that grim note, hope everyone had a good day….

      Like 2
  31. Avatar Ten50boy

    Must’ve been a case of “bidding up”. Even after the past few weeks……. I still have faith that there can’t be that many dumb people….. it must have been some type of fraud

    Like 2
  32. Avatar gaspumpchas

    1050- fraud is everywhere on flea bay. Dont believe what you see. Everybody thinks selling on there is a walk in the park, it aint. Stay safe and good luck.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 3

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