CaliforniaSpecial.com -- Identification of the GT/CS -- 1968 California Special Limited Edition Ford Mustang GT/CS

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Following is a list of the features found on the California Specials and '68 High Country Specials. With the exception of the items in this list, the GT/CS and HCS used the same parts as standard '68 Mustangs. They could be ordered with any engine, transmission, color or option as long as the body style was a coupe. No convertible or fastback "Specials" were produced in 1968.

The "Identification" list has been grouped by rear, side and front and thumbnails have been provided showing photos to go with the parts descriptions.


		SIDE SCOOPS

			One part completely unique to the GT/CS and HCS are the fiberglass side scoops. Although very similar in design to the 67-68 Shelbys, the GT/CS and HCS scoops are not functional. To give the look of a real scoop, Ford placed a perforated metal screen at the scoop's "inlet." While the scoop itself is identical on both the GT/CS and HCS, the decal on it is one of only two cosmetic differences between the two. (The other is the "California Special" fender script. See text below for more on this.) The GT/CS has the letters "GT/CS" stenciled out of the wide center stripe, letting the cars paint color show through. The HCS on the other hand has a shield shaped decal which is applied over the triple body stripes on the scoops. It features a running horse in front of a silhouetted mountain background. Below the horse are the words "High Country Special '68" The decals were side specific, requireing one for the drivers side and one for the passengers. These decals were originally made by a Denver company, Decals, Inc and applied at the dealership. Due to various reasons, it appears that not all cars had this decal applied before leaving the sales lot, resulting in a few "naked" HCS's. The decals are currently being reproduced by the original supplier and can be obtained by contacting Bob Teets, who also runs the 66-68 HCS registry. Note: Due to dealer application of HCS decals, some scoop stripes were poorly aligned. See photo of unrestored HCS side scoop at left bottom. This is just one of the many decisions to be made when restoring one of these cars. Should factory imperfections be reproduced or should the car be restored to "better than new" condition?
		"CALIFORNIA SPECIAL" SCRIPT

			The other cosmetic difference between the GT/CS and HCS is the chrome "California Special" script which, for obvious reasons, was not used on the HCS. This script is fastened to the rear quarter panels above the reflectors and is made up of two separate pieces, one for each word. The script used a cursive font similar in style and size to the "Mustang" script found on the front fenders of all 1968 Mustangs. The usual front fender "horse and bars" emblem was deleted on GT/CS and HCS cars. See further text about this under "Pop-off gas cap."
		BODY STRIPING

			One of the most noticeable features of the GT/CS and HCS is the unique GT body striping. The triple stripe (one wide center stripe flanked by two narrow ones) begins at the front edge of the front fender and extends to the rear of the side scoop. Striping was available in four different colors depending on the body color of the car; black, white, red or blue.