1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special'

Paul Ceasrine · 01-23-2013, 10:54 AM

1968 'California Special' 'GT/CS', with a 390/325 HP 'S-Code', 4-Speed.

White with Black interior, and with a true GT Option, including Argent Wheels with the G/T center-cap.

Today's value ??

We have found one in an abandoned junk yard, all original components.

This is what it would have looked like back in 1968, including Argent Wheels, but with the G/T center-cap.

Paul Ceasrine · 01-23-2013, 06:51 PM

Only 3867 produced.

And only 309 'GT/CS' built with the 'complete' GT option package, with the Argent Wheels with the G/T center-cap.

Only 215 built with the 390/325 HP 'S-Code, and only 111 built with the 4-Speed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GT Package
* Heavy-Duty Suspension
* Dual-Exhaust Chromed Quad-Tips
* Argent Wheels, w/ G/T center-cap

The Calfifornia Special, built at the Ford - San Jose, California Plant.
Available to the dealers on February 15, 1968.

1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS 'California Special'
* Hardtop Coupe only
* Any engine available
* Most popular engine, the 289/195 HP 2V.
* Included, Interior Decor and Exterior Decor Package
* Ducktail Spoiler with Quarter-Extensions
* Fiberglass Trunk-lid
* Blacked out grille (Delete, Horse Emblem)
* Fiberglass side-panel scoops (Non-functional)
* Marchal Fog Lights (Early Production Cars)
* Pop-Open Gas Cap
* Side Stripe with GT/CS decal

Correct Grille, with Marchal Fog Lights mounted with an angle-bracket.

CycloneFE · 01-23-2013, 09:51 PM

Back in the 70's and early 80's they used to pop up at several local shows in the midwest here. I found the equipment packages lacking a bit (never saw a FE in one here) and since I was such a motorhead I pretty well discounted them and walked by a lot of them. Most were the Gold with dark vinyl top. Haven't seen one in years.

rawhide · 01-23-2013, 10:19 PM

In June of 1968 I was in the San Francisco airport and they had a red one on display. That was the first I had heard of them and have only seen one since. I believe that it was a 302 car.
regards, Roland

Jeff Kempton · 01-24-2013, 09:59 AM

Paul;

When you say "all original components" are present, what does that include? If the original drivetrain is there plus all the unique California Special body and trim pieces then restoration would be pretty straightforward and should be a good investment. The fact that it's a big block 4 speed GT will boost the final value significantly.

Paul Ceasrine · 01-24-2013, 11:16 AM

Jeff,

The car is in it's 'original state'. Some rust, obviously, but the all parts are intact, including all trim, engine and drive-train.

The original wheel-rims are still on the car, but the G/T caps are missing.

The rear-end code, states it is a 'Code H', which means it is a
3.50 Traction-Lock Posi. Which leads us to believe it was a customer
ordered option, and not a Dealer lot car.

We will check the transmission out, to see if it's a close-ratio or a
wide-ratio, as both were available in 1968.

The engine is seized, but that does not present a major problem for us.

Looks like most of the 68' California Specials were 289/195 HP 2V
engines with the C-4 automatic transmission. I guess Ford was
targeting the 'sporty female crowd' in 1968 with this Mustang.

According to the Marti Report,

* 76.....'California Specials' were built with the 390/265 HP - 2V, and all were C-6 Automatics.
* 104...'California Specials' were built with the 390/325 HP - 4V 'S-Code' with the C-6 Automatic.
* 111...'California Specials' were built with the 390/325 HP - 4V 'S-Code' with the 4-Speed.

dennis dunlap · 01-24-2013, 01:42 PM

I ran onto one of those a couple of years ago while checking out a Hurst olds ,Seems the car was abandon along with the house and another mustang, Followed up on it a couple times but never got anywhere with the guy . It was a 289 auto. optioned up car .green paint. It had a under hood fire at some time but would nave been a good one to re-do .....

Paul Ceasrine · 01-24-2013, 03:34 PM

Some difficulty in getting proper information.

Cars were built between February 15, 1968 and July 17, 1968 at the Ford Milipitas Plant (San Jose, California).

3867 were built as the 'California Special' GT/CS.

Available with the;
T-Code.......200/120 HP.....'6-Cylinder'
C-Code......289/195 HP .....2V
F-Code......302/210 HP.......2V
J-Code.......302/230 HP.......4V
X-Code......390/265 HP.......2V
S-Code......390/325 HP.......4V
R-Code......428/335 HP.......4V 'Cobra-Jet'

The 289/200 HP '2V' was discontinued in mid-year, and replaced with the 302 engine.

All small-block Automatics were equipped with the C-4 Transmission.

Only '3' of the 'California Special' GT/CS cars were built with the 428/335 'Cobra-Jet' engine, and with the
C-6 Automatic Transmission 'only'.

Geerhead55 · 01-25-2013, 12:44 AM

We actually saw several of these around the northwest back in the day. A friend of the dad of my best friend growing up bought one of these brand new in the spring of '68. It was red/white stripe kit, and was a 390/4 speed combo. The day he came by with it for the first time, he took us for a ride. We were in 9th grade then, and when we tried to talk him into jumping on it, he gave us the 'ol " I've got to have 500 miles on it, before I do that" speech. That was the only time I rode in it,, and I don't recall him having it very long.
Danny Durham

Paul Ceasrine · 01-25-2013, 01:13 PM

Danny,

Not too many of these 1968 'California Special' - Mustang's in the
Northeast.

Biggest complaint, all were coming to the Ford Dealer's with the
'C-Code' 289/195 HP 2V and C-4 Automatic combination.

The 'California Special' was also noisy to drive. The side-scoops
created a wind-baffle that echoed, and the 'Ducktail' spoiler-fin put
a wind-drag on the rear-end above 50 MPH.

Poor floor carpeting padding (jute-mat) didn't help either.

01-23-2013, 10:54 AM	#1
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' 1968 'California Special' 'GT/CS', with a 390/325 HP 'S-Code', 4-Speed. White with Black interior, and with a true GT Option, including Argent Wheels with the G/T center-cap. Today's value ?? We have found one in an abandoned junk yard, all original components. This is what it would have looked like back in 1968, including Argent Wheels, but with the G/T center-cap. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 01-23-2013 at 09:05 PM.

01-23-2013, 06:51 PM	#2
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' Only 3867 produced. And only 309 'GT/CS' built with the 'complete' GT option package, with the Argent Wheels with the G/T center-cap. Only 215 built with the 390/325 HP 'S-Code, and only 111 built with the 4-Speed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GT Package * Heavy-Duty Suspension * Dual-Exhaust Chromed Quad-Tips * Argent Wheels, w/ G/T center-cap The Calfifornia Special, built at the Ford - San Jose, California Plant. Available to the dealers on February 15, 1968. 1968 Ford Mustang GT/CS 'California Special' * Hardtop Coupe only * Any engine available * Most popular engine, the 289/195 HP 2V. * Included, Interior Decor and Exterior Decor Package * Ducktail Spoiler with Quarter-Extensions * Fiberglass Trunk-lid * Blacked out grille (Delete, Horse Emblem) * Fiberglass side-panel scoops (Non-functional) * Marchal Fog Lights (Early Production Cars) * Pop-Open Gas Cap * Side Stripe with GT/CS decal Correct Grille, with Marchal Fog Lights mounted with an angle-bracket. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 01-24-2013 at 12:42 PM.

01-23-2013, 09:51 PM	#3
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' Back in the 70's and early 80's they used to pop up at several local shows in the midwest here. I found the equipment packages lacking a bit (never saw a FE in one here) and since I was such a motorhead I pretty well discounted them and walked by a lot of them. Most were the Gold with dark vinyl top. Haven't seen one in years. __________________ Steve Jackson

01-23-2013, 10:19 PM	#4
rawhide Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 270 Likes: 1 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' In June of 1968 I was in the San Francisco airport and they had a red one on display. That was the first I had heard of them and have only seen one since. I believe that it was a 302 car. regards, Roland

01-24-2013, 09:59 AM	#5
Jeff Kempton Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 219 Likes: 858 Liked 47 Times in 23 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' Paul; When you say "all original components" are present, what does that include? If the original drivetrain is there plus all the unique California Special body and trim pieces then restoration would be pretty straightforward and should be a good investment. The fact that it's a big block 4 speed GT will boost the final value significantly.

01-24-2013, 11:16 AM	#6
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' Jeff, The car is in it's 'original state'. Some rust, obviously, but the all parts are intact, including all trim, engine and drive-train. The original wheel-rims are still on the car, but the G/T caps are missing. The rear-end code, states it is a 'Code H', which means it is a 3.50 Traction-Lock Posi. Which leads us to believe it was a customer ordered option, and not a Dealer lot car. We will check the transmission out, to see if it's a close-ratio or a wide-ratio, as both were available in 1968. The engine is seized, but that does not present a major problem for us. Looks like most of the 68' California Specials were 289/195 HP 2V engines with the C-4 automatic transmission. I guess Ford was targeting the 'sporty female crowd' in 1968 with this Mustang. According to the Marti Report, * 76.....'California Specials' were built with the 390/265 HP - 2V, and all were C-6 Automatics. * 104...'California Specials' were built with the 390/325 HP - 4V 'S-Code' with the C-6 Automatic. * 111...'California Specials' were built with the 390/325 HP - 4V 'S-Code' with the 4-Speed. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 01-24-2013 at 12:39 PM.

01-24-2013, 01:42 PM	#7
dennis dunlap Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 221 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' I ran onto one of those a couple of years ago while checking out a Hurst olds ,Seems the car was abandon along with the house and another mustang, Followed up on it a couple times but never got anywhere with the guy . It was a 289 auto. optioned up car .green paint. It had a under hood fire at some time but would nave been a good one to re-do .....

01-24-2013, 03:34 PM	#8
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' Some difficulty in getting proper information. Cars were built between February 15, 1968 and July 17, 1968 at the Ford Milipitas Plant (San Jose, California). 3867 were built as the 'California Special' GT/CS. Available with the; T-Code.......200/120 HP.....'6-Cylinder' C-Code......289/195 HP .....2V F-Code......302/210 HP.......2V J-Code.......302/230 HP.......4V X-Code......390/265 HP.......2V S-Code......390/325 HP.......4V R-Code......428/335 HP.......4V 'Cobra-Jet' The 289/200 HP '2V' was discontinued in mid-year, and replaced with the 302 engine. All small-block Automatics were equipped with the C-4 Transmission. Only '3' of the 'California Special' GT/CS cars were built with the 428/335 'Cobra-Jet' engine, and with the C-6 Automatic Transmission 'only'. Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 01-24-2013 at 04:52 PM.

01-25-2013, 12:44 AM	#9
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' We actually saw several of these around the northwest back in the day. A friend of the dad of my best friend growing up bought one of these brand new in the spring of '68. It was red/white stripe kit, and was a 390/4 speed combo. The day he came by with it for the first time, he took us for a ride. We were in 9th grade then, and when we tried to talk him into jumping on it, he gave us the 'ol " I've got to have 500 miles on it, before I do that" speech. That was the only time I rode in it,, and I don't recall him having it very long. Danny Durham

01-25-2013, 01:13 PM	#10
Paul Ceasrine VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,546 Likes: 0 Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1968 Ford Mustang 'California Special' Danny, Not too many of these 1968 'California Special' - Mustang's in the Northeast. Biggest complaint, all were coming to the Ford Dealer's with the 'C-Code' 289/195 HP 2V and C-4 Automatic combination. The 'California Special' was also noisy to drive. The side-scoops created a wind-baffle that echoed, and the 'Ducktail' spoiler-fin put a wind-drag on the rear-end above 50 MPH. Poor floor carpeting padding (jute-mat) didn't help either.