Special Order Paint: 1968 Ford Mustang GT

One potential drawback of owning a First Generation Ford Mustang is that its high production numbers can make it hard to find one that genuinely stands out in a crowd. However, this 1968 GT achieves that goal, courtesy of the first owner’s decision to order the car with Special Order paint. While it doesn’t make the vehicle unique, the buyer is unlikely to park next to an identical example at a Cars & Coffee. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the GT listed here on Bring A Trailer in Gladstone, Oregon. Bidding sits at $23,000 with time remaining for interested parties to get their financial ducks in a row before making a play for this classic.

Although the First Generation Mustang continued to sell well in 1968, total production had dropped by almost 50% compared to the landmark 1966 model year. Ford continued to pursue strategies to entice potential buyers, including demonstrating flexibility on paint colors. This ’68 GT wears Beige Mist paint, a shade discontinued from the Mustang range at the end of 1967. The first owner teamed Beige Mist with a Black vinyl top, creating a striking appearance. Its overall presentation is extremely tidy, with no significant cosmetic shortcomings. The paint shines nicely, the vinyl is in as-new condition, and the seller’s comprehensive image gallery confirms the car’s rust-free status. With clear tinted glass and sparkling bright trim, this GT looks like a winner.

Powering this GT is an S-code 390ci V8, placing 325hp and 427 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. The first owner teamed the S-Code with a three-speed automatic transmission, a 3.00 limited-slip rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Although considered a classic pony car, I have always considered Ford’s 1967 decision to enlarge the Mustang to accommodate motors like the 390 as the moment when the line between pony and muscle cars became slightly blurred. After all, this GT would certainly give an auto-equipped 1968 Pontiac GTO a run for its money. Sadly, the listing falls short in two crucial areas. There is no information supplied confirming whether the car is numbers-matching or how well it runs and drives. The listing images are pretty positive, suggesting that this GT has no mechanical shortcomings.

The seller’s Marti Report makes interesting reading, confirming that this GT is 1-of-6 ordered with Beige Mist paint and an interior trimmed in Red. That makes it rare, with that tally accounting for a mere 0.002% of total sales in 1968. Honestly, they don’t get much rarer than that! The overall presentation is consistent with a high-end driver, with no major cosmetic issues. Some plastic pieces are slightly marked, but I don’t consider those a deal-breaker. The wheel is an odd one, as it isn’t original to this car. The same is true of the retro-style stereo, which occupies the spot previously reserved for the factory AM radio. The first owner equipped the GT with air conditioning, a roof console, a swing-away wheel, a remote exterior mirror, and a center console.

I lament the fact that the automotive industry has become more inflexible than at any time in its history. The days of walking into a dealership and ordering a car with a unique paint shade are virtually over. That practice is almost exclusively restricted to prestige brands like Rolls-Royce, with most companies restricting buying options to a fixed color palette. This 1968 Mustang GT demonstrates a lost art, and its presentation helps ensure it receives positive comments wherever it goes. What surprises me is the subdued bidding action, though some people may be biding their time, planning to launch an assault in the final hours. Considering its relative rarity, what would you pay for this GT?