These unique Mustangs are highly sought after by enthusiasts
These unique Mustangs are highly sought after by enthusiasts
This "resto-mod" version retained a factory-stock look although with numerous upgrades for performance.
It could be considered an "enhanced original" in the sense that the modifications are for improved braking, cornering and ease of operation, featuring aftermarket equipment that simply wasn't available in early 1968 when the GT/CS was created.
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The "Shelby GT" inspired Mustang coupe
The history of the 1968 "California Special" Mustangs all goes back to a man named Lee S. Grey, who at the time was the Los Angeles Sales District Manager for the Southern California Ford Dealers. It was during this time frame that between 18 and 20 percent of all Mustangs across the country were sold by the Los Angeles Ford Dealers for the first generation 1964 1/2 - 1965 models.
As head of the most successful district for the Ford Motor Company, Grey had been observing a decline in Mustang sales during the 1967 selling season, mostly as a result of the rival Chevrolet Camaro coming onto the scene. It was felt that something needed to be done to help gain back sales.
Because the '68 Models of the Mustang were simply carry-overs of the previous model year, he pursued something, a promotion, that could add some flash and pizzazz to Southern California Ford dealership showrooms. A trip to the Los Angeles-based Shelby-American is what got the ball rolling on creating something that was to be an ideal remedy that would bring added excitement for Mustang customers.
It was there that the "Little Red" prototype was spotted, a project that was to be new for the 1968 "Shelby" notchback coupe model. Under the hood of that car was a Paxton-supercharged 428 big block and the body had been "Shelbyized" with styling accents.
The car that Lee had envisioned wasn't to be so much a "race car for the street" but one that had an overall performance look, available with the full range of standard Mustang powerplants. Once seeing the one-of-a-kind Little Red and then borrowing it from Shelby to show some LA Ford dealers, his next call went to Dearborn, MI, to the then National Car Sales Manager, Lee Iacocca.
Shelby-esque styling very apparent from the rear, the spoiler, taillights, and side scoops all items seen on 1968 GT350/500 Shelby Mustangs.
With approval from Dearborn, the "Shelby GT" inspired Mustang coupe was on its way to production, it was to be named "California Special." Ford's factory in San Jose would be responsible for building the special cars, Ford would do up this special "GT/CS" car and it was all very well worth the extra $194.31 this option added to the window sticker price!
As the GT/CS was nearing final production build details, there was a controversy between Ford's product engineers in Michigan and the California Dealer Group as to the design and fitting of these "California Special" script emblems. Dearborn expressed that they were "detrimental to the looks of the car" and with that, the California dealers replied: "No script, then, no car." The script survived and was produced by the same ACSCO (A.C. Stearns Co.) firm that did the Shelby Cobra ornamentation
This feature car was built with the "Code J" 302-cid 4-barrel V8 (dual exhausts), and it was during the 1968 model year that Ford retired the 289-cid V8, replacing it with this 302-cid enlarged version. According to records, there were three GT/CS cars factory-fitted with the R-Code 428 Cobra Jet engines.
Numerous upgrades for performance featuring aftermarket equipment
Fast forward to today, the powerplant now displaces 347-cid thanks to a new 3.4-inch crankshaft and 5.4-inch H-beam connecting rods. It's all about torque and extra power!
In addition to the enlarged engine displacement, a FAST Throttle Body and Edelbrock aluminum intake was incorporated, along with a mild hydraulic cam. The ignition was updated to a Pertronix "Flame Thrower" electronic ignition system.
The FAST Throttle Body used in-conjunction with the Edelbrock aluminum "dual-plane" internal design is engineered for best operating RPMs up to 5,500, perfect for street performance use.
With a compact size and increased capacity, a 2-grove Sanden A/C compression was fitted from Vintage Air, which uses R-134A refrigerant.
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The stock cooling system was enhanced with an aluminum 3-row radiator from Champion Cooling Systems.
Spark has been enhanced with the MSD (Multiple Spark Discharge) 6A ignition control box, which is a capacitive discharge unit that is microprocessor controlled.
This rear view shows the 5-leaf Hotchkis leaf spring and the drilled/slotted disc brake upgrade.
For improved cornering ability and overall stability, a full Hotchkis Sport Suspension front replacement suspension system upper and lower tubular A-arms, control arms, coil springs, shocks and sway bar, complete with Delrin bushings.
The low-restriction 21/4-inch exhaust system has a moderately throaty sound with the use of resonators and Dynamax mufflers, JBA Shorty headers.
With the updated EFI induction the fuel tank gets replaced with an internal electric fuel pump, with a 53 gallon per hour (GPH) flow rate.
The upgraded AOD4-speed automatic transmission has an additional 2.5 quarts of fluid as a result of this aftermarket finned deep pan.
Plugged with a decorative screen, the side scoops on these cars came non-functional.
Adding to the unique appearance of the rear, a pop-open fuel filler was standard on GT/CS models.
In keeping with the OE(original equipment) appearance of the factory optional styled steel wheels, aftermarket aluminum upgrade wheels were fitted and in 15-inch diameter rather than the 14-inch diameter units as used in '68. Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T radials were fitted for modernized capabilities.
The GT/CS was fitted with a 1967 Mustang grille, painted Dark Grey Metallic, and the Lucas fog lights added to the racy appeal.
Unique "Dzus" hood locks were standard equipment on these cars and the Dzus fastener is named after William Dzus, who invented and patented the quarter-turn, quick-action fastening device in the 1930s.
Special cut-outs of the hood sheet metal were required for fitment of the "only made for GT/CS" locking pins.
Louvered hood with inset turn signal indicators part of the package.
The taillights from the 1965 Thunderbird were chosen for the car, which was the same units as used on the 1968 Shelby, although painted body color and not argent.
"Ivy Gold" is the color of the interior, which includes the application of the doors. This car had standard roll-up windows.
Center console was a $53 option, radio required.
Bucket seats are standard, with locking seat backs in upright position.
A green dash pad and kick-panel trim was used, and the 2-spoke steering wheel was standard equipment, as was the five-pod instrument cluster.
It was February 15th,1968, when the GT/CS was first introduced and it became a night to remember for the dealers involved, and a car to remember for the consumers who quickly purchased them! This example came with Seafoam Green Code "O" paint from the factory, and black non-reflective stripes. As a result of the late date in the model year, these GT/CS cars can be considered "1968 1/2"vehicles.
GT/California Special Recognition Guide and Owner's Manual
Written in 1989 it's considered the foremost authoritative source of all things "GT/CS!" This 68-page publication also has fantastic background on the Shelby Prototype Coupe, aka "Little Red," of which the California Special got a lot of its initial inspiration. Filled with extreme details of the early beginnings and development, inside the pages of this soft cover book is the full history of these now highly desirable Mustangs.
