This was done right alongside the development of their 1968 shelby the gtcs has become one of the most ownerappreciated classic mustangs, since it has both the. This registry master list is only a partial list of cars, and does not reflect gtcshcs cars listed in the official 1968 gtcs registry. Gonzales bought this 1968 ford mustang california special for his wife on may 5, 1968 from glen organ ford in compton, california, and its been with her ever since. Matchbox 2019 auto bahn express 5pack 2015 mercedesbenz gle coupe, lamborghini lm002. Barrettjackson collector car auction january, 2008, scottsdale, arizona barrettjackson auction company 7400 e monte cristo ave scottsdale, az 85260 phone.
The original production order called for 5,000 units, but only 4,118 were actually produced, which included 251 that ford rebadged as the high country special 68 read more. It was the california ford dealerships, with clout built on high sales volume, that got the ball rolling on the gt california special package. Sd c8zx65291a36a mustang emblem california special pin. Dec 17, 2011 showing a 1968 california special my dad has. This car is said to have undergone one restoration several years ago with one repaint, but it looks as though the undercarriage was neglected during restoration. Classifieds for 1967 to 1969 ford mustang gtcs california special. The hope was for a targeted production run of 5,000. Find the best deals for used ford mustang california special 1968. Newitt and licensed by ford is a hardbound, full color 224 page detailed story of the limitededition 1968 ford mustang which was created just for california. You are one of the few owners of a genuine, 1968 california special mustangonly 4,118 were made, after all. Sd c8zx65291a36a mustang emblem california special pinon.
Nov 11, 2005 southern california special i bought a 2006 southern california special. Mar 11, 2018 the mustang california special has been a part of the mustang repertoire off and on since 1968. Among these were a blackout grill, rectangular fog lights, the functional louvered hood, special striping effects, side air scoops, wide tail lights, rear deck lid with builtin spoiler, and a popopen gas cap. The gtcss were built only out of the san jose, california plant. The new california special package 402a is the first built on a 5. The marketing theme for this limited edition was california made it happen. It was the california ford dealerships, with clout built on high sales volume, that got the ball rolling on the gtcalifornia special package. Identification of the gtcs 1968 california special limited edition ford mustang gtcs. This item matchbox 60th anniversary superfast 1968 68 ford mustang gt cs california special white. This limitededition vehicle was promoted under the slogan california made it happen, and although it was only produced in california, it was sold in other markets throughout the western u. The online registry master list is comprised of gtcs and hcsscs cars submitted by site members. Less knowledgeable mustang buffs sometimes mistake the car for a oneoff custom or even a notchback shelby.
Southern california special i bought a 2006 southern california special. A customer could walk into any ford dealer in 1967 and get a big block v8 in a mustang. The gt reflective group option was available which changed the side. Ford produced 4,118 california special mustangs which were coupes with shelby trunk lid with integrated spoiler, tailights, and side scoops.
See more ideas about mustang california special, mustang and ford mustang. Most mustang veterans and even casual enthusiasts have heard of it, yet false info and rumor still abound on the net. And in a nutshell it perfectly describes the beginnings of this special mustang. The mustang gtcs recognition guide and owners manual by paul m. Several special models, including the first california special and numerous shelby models, were created, with many unique 68 mustang parts being used. I have the marty report to prove it but we bought it with that paint style and didnt feel like changing it to the. This is the tease for the first episode of the new 56 chevy series. Ford mustang gt cs california special aut 1968 460pk. Every model since 1964 gutes buch um einen uberblick zu bekommen wer sich fur solche pony cars interessiert wird sicherlich erganzende literatur ordern. The original mustang gtcs, also known as the california special, got its start in 1968. That was the slogan used by ford to promote the limited edition california special gtcs mustang in 1968.
Matchbox 60th anniversary superfast 1968 68 ford mustang. This was a unique time in history as the largest population bubble in history was coming to age in america, and ford sold 22,000 examples the first day the mustang was. In mid february of 1968, the california special mustang was born from the ideas of a few california ford dealers wanting to market a factory built, limited edition mustang and wanted to call it the gtcs or california special as we know it. The 1968 mustang gt was a special options package that could be added to any mustang with the 302 or 390ci v8 engines. You get to see the finished california special car driving in this raw footage we shot56 chevy series begins jan 4th 2014. Imagine my surprise when i found this really neat, true barn find 1968 california special mustang.
The 2011 california special package 402a includes a unique chrome billet grille with a tricolor mustang pony logo, for 2012, ford replaced the chrome billet grille with a black plastic unit that retained the tribar mustang logo, gtcs faded. When the original 1968 mustang gt california special was introduced it turned that up a notch. Rare, 1 of approximately 4,000 produced have vin verif. In midfebruary 1968, the california ford dealers ford dealer advertising fund began to market a factorybuilt, limitededition mustang, called the gtcs, or california special. Ford mustang california special 1968 muscle car fan. The mustang was the first to introduce a full range of options for customers to choose from. Fords introduction of the mustang set the stage for the most successful new car launch ever. The package contained grille mounted fog lights, dual exhaust, a new body side cstripe, heavy duty suspension, 14 inch gt steel styled wheels, a new gt gas cap, and newly styled gt quarter panel emblems.
Newitt and licensed by ford is a hardbound, full color 224 page detailed story of the limitededition 1968 ford mustangwhich was created just for california. They had the same rear taillight panels and spoiler as the shelby, fiberglass side scoops, stripes, blacked out grille, fog lights, hood locks, but did not come standard with the 1968 gt options package although 8 percent were ordered with a subset of them. It was created as a way of selling visually appealing, factorybuilt customlooking mustangs such as. First registered in australia in dec 2011 absolutely beautiful to drive shelby automotive was assigned the task of designing and engineering the necessary parts and assembly procedures for the gtcs. One thing is for sure, ford knew it would set a trend for all other manufacturers to follow. Introduced as a limitededition for the 1968 mustang and last offered on the 2014 model, a newgen california special package returns this fall. This mustang came with the interior decor trim and exterior decor trim package. Then this article is for you as it will explain who was responsible for. Development how the prototype shelby coupe little red inspired the production of the california mustang. Arguably, ford was perhaps the best at bringing specialty cars to market.
A history of the shelby inspired mustang gtcs california. In midfebruary 1968, the california ford dealers ford dealer advertising fund began to. This was our featured attitude of the week for march 2nd, 2008. Matchbox 2011 heritage classic series 68 1968 ford mustang gtcs california special silver. The california special was a standard 1968 mustang hardtop specially outfitted with several dressup trim items. Set of scott drake pinon california special fender emblem for all 1968 california special mustangs. This candy apple red 1968 ford mustang california special vin 8r01j155553 is believed by the seller to be one of 4,118 mustangs produced in 1968 with the gtcs package.
It was created as a way of selling visually appealing, factory. Ford mustang forum 1967 mustang california special. The mustang california special has been a part of the mustang repertoire off and on since 1968. Don has this extra information to share, the car was found on the internet and purchased february 2004 from an exotic car dealer in the seattle, washington area. Although the california special addons were purely cosmetic, the cars feature a lot of the body components developed for the shelby mustangs. With this one not even having a spoiler and proper tail lights, you are correct to smell something fishy. Each copy came with a special 1 of 150 book certificate of authenticity. In 1965, its first model year on sale admittedly longer than the. From the first sixcylindered mustang of 196412 through firebreathing, worldbeating boss and shelby versions to todays allnew mustang, the complete book of mustang offers an indepth look at the prototypes and experimental models, the anniversary and pace cars, and the specialty packages for street and competition driving that have made.
The ultimate 1968 mustang california special reference book. Ever wanted to know the history of the ford mustang from the beginning. Highly regarded as one of the best ford mustang books ever produced. Jun 28, 2016 2016 ford mustang gt california special convertible its powerful and makes a good sound, but the gts 5. This must be one of the finest show winning and mostly completely original examples available anywhere of this increasingly collectible and desirable of mustangs, the 1968 ford mustang california special with its original upgraded j code hipo 302 4bbl v8 engine in this original and highly striking original color combination in turnkey ready daily driving, daily headturning, and daily.
A very rare, signed 50th anniversary limited edition. The california special was a base model hardtop mustang with some added body components and midbody striping. California special there was a quantity of 4118 california special gtcs hardtops built in 1968. The 1968 model year also marked the famous gt 390s appearance in the movie bullitt. When released, it was the ultimate performance mustang. Specialty models 1968 california special mustang specs. Through some collaboration with shelby, ford was able to create the 1968 mustang gtcs california special. The california special sprout from these cancelled shelby gt plans. See more ideas about mustang, mustang california special and california. Dec 23, 20 this is the tease for the first episode of the new 56 chevy series. A perfect example was the partnership with people like caroll shelby. This book covers the original history of the inception of a mustang created by ford just for the california market in 1968, followed by the identification and. Jan 15, 2014 the ultimate 1968 mustang california special reference book.
The high country special also had the sheild insignia on the side. Jul 01, 2015 from the first sixcylindered mustang of 196412 through firebreathing, worldbeating boss and shelby versions to todays allnew mustang, the complete book of mustang offers an indepth look at the prototypes and experimental models, the anniversary and pace cars, and the specialty packages for street and competition driving that have made. This beautiful gtcs for sale is in great condition inside and out. They were available with any engine or mustang option. This car has a data plate code indicating 1967 production, making it a clone. Dec 02, 2015 imagine my surprise when i found this really neat, true barn find 1968 california special mustang. The now coveted california special or mustang gtcs arrived at dealers in the middle of february 1968, and ford assembled the last unit in early august of the same year. Royal maroon california special royal maroon 1968 mustang gt california special hardtop owned by don potter from ohio. This is a nicely done mustang coupe in lime gold with all the right california special add ons. History how southern california car culture made it happen.
Ford motor company will open the ordering books for the 2016 mustang. There were a total of 4,118 gtcs mustangs produced in 1968. California special mustang news newspapers books scholar jstor august 20 learn how and when to remove this template message. This was all in response to the new pony car competition for the upcoming 1968 model year from the camaro, firebird, javelin, and even from fords torino and mercury cougar. They could be optioned in any engine and transmission combination available in the mustang order book. Mustang gt california special 460pk scode, body off restauration 20, nieuw staat.
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