What’s special about the GT/CS? Ford didn’t do anything bold with this pony, but the California Special stands out with a selection of unique features. Inspired by the Shelby Mustangs of the time, the GT/CS debuted with Thunderbird taillights, Marshall or Lucas fog lights, hood pins and a pop-open gas cap. The bundle also included side scoops, a rear spoiler decklid and a unique stripe pattern in white, black, red or blue.
Built at the request of Southern California sales manager Lee Gray, the GT/CS was originally scheduled for production of 5,000 units. Ford produced 4,118, of which 251 were High Country Special In Denver, Colorado, Ford sold a total of 3,867 vehicles.
While the California Special isn’t as rare as other pony cars from the era, it is one of the rarest 1968 Mustangs; over 300,000 were produced that year. The Acapulco Blue example you see here is one of the finest still in existence, and even rarer than the others thanks to the powerplant under the hood.
Despite some special exterior features, the GT/CS was treated as a regular Mustang when it came to color and drivetrain combinations. Specifically, it was available in all standard Mustang colors and with any of the available Ford engines and transmissions. S-Code 390 cubic inch (6.4 liter) V8This is a rare mill for the GT/CS.
There is no record of how many cars were delivered with the 325 horsepower unit, but experts agree that most California Specials were equipped with a small-block 289 cubic inch (4.7 liter) V8. The 390 cars are among the most popular, along with the Cobra Jet cars.
This Mustang comes with a Marty Report that may shed a bit of light on production numbers. Unfortunately, the host didn’t show it on camera. Either way, the 390 V8 and blue-on-blue color combination ensured this GT/CS was produced in double-digit numbers. The last time I saw this Mustang was Same color and drivetrain combination It was offered at Mecum’s Houston 2020 auction. This car also had an automatic but no console. It sold for $29,700.
The example we offer here appears to have been restored as it appears nearly perfect both inside and out. The interior was done by Decor Group and features a rare overhead console and many original components. We can’t be sure the engine and gearbox are numbers matching, but judging by the price of this car, we suspect they are. This Pony is listed for $52,750. For reference, California Specials have sold for between $30,000 and $88,000 in recent years (depending on condition, of course). How much do you think this car is worth?
