The history of the 1968 California Special Model of Mustang (GT/CS) is another interesting chapter of Ford and Shelby working together to create a unique car, in this case time with more cosmetic then mechanical upgrades.

In January of 1967, “Little Red”, a GT-500 powered by a Supercharged 427, was built at the Shelby America facility. Despite the strike at Ford in October of that year and a shortage of cars, Lee Grey, the Southern California district manager, was able to convince Lee Iaccoca that a specific car should be built to supply the Los Angles dealer network using body parts supplied by A.O. Smith based on the Shelby designs. Ford decided that for them, a better plan would be to source the parts from Shelby and gave Shelby the go ahead in early 1968 after considering and then rejecting making the model available for a national sales program.

Shelby contracted with ACSCO to supply the hood locks, sided scoop screens and side script. The pre-production car was secretly shown at Southern California dealer meeting in January of 1968 and approval given for the unveiling at the Ford Dealer Party February 15, 1968. 1000 GT/CS cars were ordered immediately, breaking the previous wholesale record for all models up to that date. A similar reaction was on February 20th at the Northern California meeting for these California only models (an interesting foot note is that some the first of these models bore a production date of December 28, 1967). Along with the “California Special” was a similar model called the “Nugget Gold” which was to be offered in the Southern Oregon. The first retail sales were in March of 1968 with the model being produced and shipped from the San Jose, California plant. A total of 4,118 California Specials Mustangs were built before production was halted the end of July 1968 along with all 1968 Mustang production at the San Jose plant stopped on August 1968.

This particular car was purchased by it’s owner at Barrett-Jackson in January of 2007 with 84,379 miles showing. Their description included a 2002 Marti Report showing the car to be an actual GT/CS car, in stock condition with a bare metal repaint to the original T-Code Paint, Candy Apple Red. The bill of sale shows the consigned car coming from California with a Washington title. Barrett-Jackson’s description of the car shows that it is in stock condition which we have since verified. We did check the date codes for the drive train and though the car has the stock model 289 V-8 it was delivered with, it comes from an earlier car, date coded November 9, 1964. The transmission and rear end also have correct date codes on them. The carburetor was replaced recently with a Holley, but the stock carburetor is not kept with the car.

The owner kept incredibly complete records during his ownership, including the purchase at Barrett-Jackson in 2007, the Mari Report from 2002, shipping it back to Southern Oregon and all the work he had during his tenure. It adds up to over $9,000 for service and improvements including having the transmission rebuilt. It is very impressive and we believe the car to be in very good, stock condition. These receipts come with the car and are available for your inspection, demonstrating the care and attention the car has received.

Miles showing today are 85,114, 735 more miles than when the car was purchased in 2007. The VIN# is 8R01C156587 and the selling price is $29,895. The Spring 2016 American Car Collector Price Guide shows GT/CS Coupes currently selling at auction between $29,500 and $62,640. For other interesting bikes and collectable vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com ,

Call: 541 479 8888 or come by and see us at 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.