1968 GT/CS restoration

[Mosesatm]

Here's a Shelby project.
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4539156920.html

 

[Tequila]

Do you want to drive the car or just show it? If you do a concours restoration you most likely won't want to drive it.

I am not looking for Concourse according to the guidelines. I would like to drive in once in a while, but of good quality. On a scale of 1-10, I'd prefer it to be 7.5 for my GT/CS.

 

[Tequila]

Here's a Shelby project.
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4539156920.html

Wow!!! Nice find. Looks like it needs a lot of work. I have a friend in Houston that might be able to check it out.

 

[CougarCJ]

...The ad say's M-code. I believe that car originated with a 351...

P.S. Arlie beat me to it ;-)

Yeah, 1970 M code is 351C-4V.
The seller is deliberately misleading the potential buyer in the Craig's list ad.
The sticker on the air cleaner clearly says "429", the engine looks like a 429/460 in the picture, definitely not an FE engine.

 

[p51]

I think the GT/CS is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cars ever designed. I love mustangs,'65/'66 was too small, '69/'70 too big, I don't particularly like fastbacks, I like a real roof over my head and I love the Shelby styling => 1968 GT/CS is the perfect car. But realistically unless you have a rare big block, numbers matching GT/CS I don't think the prices are ever going to appreciate much more than inflation ($2.5K in '68 ~= $19K in 2014 = about what they sell for given recent ebay history). Given that they sell above the price of a comparable coupe but below the price of a comparable vert or fastback, the market is indicating that you will not likely ever get your money back investing NOS parts on it. Note, I'm not saying that those who love the car, want to restore it to a concours state, and love showing it are wrong, just that investing NOS in a (non-rare) GT/CS will not return a $ value. Personally, I like driving my car so when I put money into my GT/CS its for the driveability, handling, and safety of a modern car (looks 1968, drives 2008). The fact that a GT/CS is such a beautiful car and is still so reasonably priced just makes this hobby so much more tractable - I never have to worry about someone dinging my car like the Shelby/Cuda guys do...

 

[Cool Manchu]

I have had a lot of fun learning about the car, have always had a love of how they looked, and am so happy to finally have one of my own.

I am restoring my car to be a driver. I don't see any reason to make mine a concours as it's a very run of the mill GT/CS save an odd option or two. As it was noted, you really need a 390 and up to have something that will command the big dollars.

I think we have a nice little slice of a great American story that is unique. I think the fact that people make clones of the GT/CS is a testament to the "cool factor" of the car, which is kind of like the icing on the cake...

The GT/CS for most of us here is a special car for a myriad of reasons. It's why we are on here when we aren't with our cars. To share in that love of the Mustang and it's so great that in a short span they developed so many cool and desirable cars.

 

[Tim_morrison82]

if your car is a j code, the gt350 originally was issued with a stock j code engine, so engine parts are transferable. if you are looking at getting rid of j code concourse parts, I may be interested if I havent already got what you have...

 

[Ruppstang]

Here's a Shelby project.
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4539156920.html

Beware of this one it has 67 quarter scoops. It may have had a 67 quarter put on. All I am saying is be careful even this one may sell in the mid 20s.
Marty

 

[dalorzo_f]

Yep, not clear from the ad if its a real Shelby or not. If so its a great candidate for restoration. Roof and rear are white (ish) and the front blue, so maybe a swap of the blue to the car. The grille and front fit loose, which could be added after market parts, or originals. Hard to tell. No evidence of a GT500 or KR stripe on the fenders/doors. Hard to see, but does not look like there is a Shelby plate on the fender in the engine bay. Not definitive, but a few tell-tales which would want to be looked at. VIN and more pics would have been nice..

In any case, even if "just" an S code, if you have the $ a nice project, even better if it is a real Shelby. Mid 20's could be realistic, especially if a real Shelby (if so $30-40k is not out of the question), but would want to see how bad the door rust has gone into the floors, trunk, rails...

On the

On a scale of 1-10, I'd prefer it to be 7.5 for my GT/CS.

the scales are always a bit arbitrary.

If you transpose this to the fairly typical 1-5 (or add 6 for a rust busket) scale commonly used for classics a 7.5 becomes a low 2/high 3 car. A#2 (8-9) is what most people would call a show car. #1 is concours correct and perfect (9-10).

So depending on your frame of reference a "7.5" could be one persons 5 footer and another's "near show" or a very nice restoration. Most folks overestimate the condition of their car on the 1-5 scale. Most daily drivers are a 4.

http://classiccars.about.com/od/buyingadvise/qt/ratingtip.htm

 

[Mosesatm]

Here are a couple GT/CSs that were sold at auction.

This one sold for $23,650, add a 10% fee and it's real price was $26,000.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/even...&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

This one sold for $38,500, with the fee it was $42,000.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/even...&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

Here's a High Country that went up to $15,500 but I don't think it sold.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/even...&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

 

[dalorzo_f]

Interesting interior on the first one. Ivy gold converted to parchment seats/doors? Or is it some other OEM combo, never seen it before...

Great price on the blue one, top dollar, but the costs to restore it to that level had to be high. Very well done.

 

[Mosesatm]

$25,300 with fee.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#154084f

$13,750 with fee, in 2012
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#116318f

$15,950 with fee (Rich's old car)
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#90959f

$24,200 with fee
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#91103f

$30,800 with fee (I think it's this car http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11340)
It's also this car http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/ford/mustang_california_special/1658857.html
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#89313f

$19,250 with fee in 2008
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#60598f

$19,800 with fee in 2008
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Home/Archive?browse=False#60637f

 

[p51]

Here are a couple GT/CSs that were sold at auction.

This one sold for $23,650, add a 10% fee and it's real price was $26,000.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/even...&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

This one sold for $38,500, with the fee it was $42,000.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/even...&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

Here's a High Country that went up to $15,500 but I don't think it sold.
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/even...&feature=&collection=&grouping=&category=Cars

$38K for a 289. Hmmm...


Some more info:

Here are some that have recently cleared on ebay (about 60% of recent GT/CS autions have fallen through because the reserves were not met w/bids topping out around $16K)...

$17,100 (claimed to have Marchel Fog lamps)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Califo...594R1666VhDvOrY46xBJA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

$12,000
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Ford-M...594R1666VhDvOrY46xBJA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

$13,090 (but might be a clone - horsey on front grill...)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-68-for...594R1666VhDvOrY46xBJA%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

[Mosesatm]

T-Code for $17,000 plus 8% fee = $18,360
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=AN1113-168022

 

[Mosesatm]

$25,000 + fee = $27,000
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=AN1112-138933

 

[Mosesatm]

$35,000 in 2011 with fee = $37,800
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=SC0511-106324

- Complete rotisserie restoration
- Movie car, featured in "Going All The Way" in 1982
- Numbers matching car
- Original Marti report
- Sunlit Gold with Gold Nugget interior
- 289 CI 2 barrel automatic transmission
- Power disc brakes
- Power steering
- Factory air conditioning
- Console
- Tilt-a-way steering wheel
- Chrome style steel GT wheels
- Rare Marchall fog lamps
- Date coded Fomoco head lamps
- Real California special Mustang
- Restored by past vice president of Mustang Club of America

 

[Mosesatm]

$23,000 in 2010, with fee = $24,840
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=SC0510-90507

 

[Mosesatm]

Bid to $20,000 in 2010, with fee would have been $21,600
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=SC0510-95200

This one has an interesting story.
- 289 HP K-code engine ordered from dealer, 271 HP on factory spec at 6000 rpm, C4 automatic transmission
- Won first place at 3 California car shows and was invited to the Mustang Nationals in 2006
- Fully custom frame off restoration
- Purchased from original owner
- 29,700 original miles
- Original numbers matching motor, transmission and rear end
- 300 miles on restoration
- Car has original 65 Thunderbird taillights, Lucas fog lights, California Special emblems, side scoops and fiberglass trunk with original 3 bulb turn signals in hood
- All body parts and trim components are original
- Comes with Marti Report proving it's a true California Special, and records from Evelyn Sears
- The car was featured Carroll Shelby and original owner of car William Dale Sears(Infineon Raceway, former Sears Point Raceway) at Pomona Raceway in Southern California. It was trial tested and engine specs and time slots were verified

 

[Mosesatm]

Bid to $22,000 in 2010, with fee it would have been $23,760.
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=SC0510-95201

 

[Mosesatm]

I'm getting bored so this is the last one.

Bid to $35,000 in 2010, with fee would have been $38,340
http://mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=SC0510-92858
I think this is the Redding car we discussed a few times.