Some enthusiasts never realize their ambition to create the car of their dreams because they find the idea of molesting a desirable classic unpalatable. They also fear the flack they might receive from purists and will spend their days wondering what could have been. If a First Generation Mustang is the basis for your ideal project, this 1968 GT Fastback could be perfect for the job. It is rock-solid and essentially complete, and its interior presents nicely. However, the empty engine bay makes it a candidate for a custom or restomod approach. It is worth a close look because the auction action suggests a few people see its potential.
This Mustang makes a positive first impression, and its appearance suggests it may have been a project build that stalled early. The panels wear Gulfstream Aqua paint that is consistent across the entire car. It doesn’t possess a mirror shine, but most people would consider it acceptable for a driver-grade classic. Some spots coated in Gray primer may represent the starting point for its restoration or minor repairs. However, the panels are straight, the gaps are consistent, and scrolling through the seller’s image gallery shows no signs of rust in the floors or rails. This Mustang retains its distinctive GT exterior features, including the wheels, stripes, and grille with its foglights. The trim is easily acceptable for a driver-grade build, with the same true of the glass.
The positive vibes continue inside this Mustang because its Aqua interior is very presentable. There is visible rubbing on a couple of plastic pieces, the wheel has cracked, and I spotted light wear on the driver’s door paint. However, the vinyl is in good order, the dash and pad are free from significant problems, and the carpet is clean. It is not exactly as it would have been when it left the factory, with the column-mounted tach, under-dash Sunpro gauges, and Clarion AM/FM radio/cassette apparent additions. The factory tach is intact, and the first owner ordered this GT with a Sport Deck rear seat.
We’ve reached the point where some readers will view this Mustang as a blank canvas. Today, manufacturers focus on zero-emission vehicles, but this GT produces no greenhouse gas. It is as clean as they come, mainly because its original J-Code 302ci V8 and three-speed C4 automatic transmission are long gone. There is also no evidence of the components for its power-assisted steering and brakes. The seller supplies no information on when or why these components left the building, leaving the winning bidder to fill the void. Sourcing date-coded components as part of a faithful refurbishment should present no obstacles, but a world of other possibilities awaits the winning bidder. There is space in the engine bay to bolt in something with considerably more than the 230hp and 310 ft/lbs of torque delivered by the original J-Code. Alternatively, the restomod path might beckon those who wish to retain the GT’s innate charm, combined with a more civilized ownership experience. The new owner can pursue their dream, safe in the knowledge that they aren’t sacrificing a numbers-matching classic during the process.
The seller listed this 1968 Mustang GT Fastback here on eBay in Allen, Texas. It has hit a sweet spot with potential buyers, receiving forty-two bids in under three days. This has pushed the price to $30,600, which is below the reserve. There is still nearly a week remaining, leaving scope for the price to climb considerably higher. That leaves me with two questions to ponder. What would you pay for this Mustang as it stands? More importantly, how would you tackle the build?
Nice. My kind of canvas. Power it and put it back on the road.
Barn Dealer Finds…..glad BD is getting a kick back for listing for dealers.
Why are the shocks sticking up like that?
Probably stuck the struts up there without the adjustment pieces just so they could roll it around.
The bolt on “shock tower caps” are missing they are available brand new for less than $40 a pair. The brace is also bolt on and available at a reasonable price if it’s missing. In the grand scheme of things it’s not a big deal.
Steve R
Because the shock towers (may not be the correct term) are missing??? I see the tops of the shock absorbers, don’t see the attachments. Also don’t see the brace (left shock to firewall back to right shock. But, been away for a while. Perhaps those were on mine because it was the 390?
$30k, for a roller. With no engine or trans included, and it hasn’t reached the reserve. We are living in strange times.
The dealer had it offered with a fixed price of $39,000. Most dealers, if the put a car up for auction set the reserve at or just below their asking price. eBay isn’t the only Avenue they use to sell their cars, most have their own websites, at a minimum. They are more comfortable sitting on a car waiting for an offer than most private sellers.
Steve R
🎶 ” She’s a roller… a high roller baby…….. lookout ” 🎸 🎶
Yeah too much for a roller. Put a Coyote in it and five speed transmission and what are you at 80K? Not for the faint of heart.
Well if I had money to burn to throw at what looks like a ~$40k buy-in, I’d look at building a Bullitt tribute car. Repaint with Highland Green, drop in a fresh 390 and boom, it’s pretty much there. That, and remove the horse from the grille.
There’s enough Bullitt replicas out there now to fill a showroom, so we’d pass on that idea. It’s nice enough to leave as is. We’d source a nice period-correct 302, do a slight Day 2 performance rebuild, and that would be it. Nice to see these as drivers still, hope that’s the fate for this one.
I agree with you. Way too many clones done way too many ways and way over-priced. I would build as it came from the factory but with a blueprinted engine
Put an LS in it.
Put an LS in it.
If this is a Mustang GT, it would be a manual trans, not an automatic. The GTA is a automatic transmission.
While I admit that there are things on this car that seem attractive, there are some issues:
No drive train.
No radiator, no alternator, power steering pump, no accessory brackets, no exhaust. The brake booster and master cylinder are missing, and looks like the park brake actuator is laying on the floor. The heater matrix is missing.
For the asking price, all of those parts should be included, because it is going to add up fast. I could not tell if there was a battery box in the engine bay or not.
I have a 429 from a 1971 Ford LTDsitting in my garage with nothing to put it in buy I would never pay 40 grand for that even though it is a great color probablylooked great when new