If you are going to own a Coupe it might as well be a California Special

[classicsguy]

I have been following the Mustang market for several years now and the fact is that Mustang coupes are the least desirable of the 3 body styles. It seems like Fastbacks are the most desired. I am not sure of this statement but I even think that they are most sought after than convertibles,although convertibles are supposed to be the favorites and more expensive of the 3 body styles,but this statement will probably be put up for discussion some other time. It seems that coupes no matter what year are the least sought after no matter what engine and transmission combo or how well equipped they come. They just dont seem to be selling with the prices that fastbacks and convertibles are selling.
So I strongly believe if you are going to own a Mustang coupe it better be a 1968 California Special since all of them are limited edition Mustangs.
Do you guys/gals agree with this? Please post your opinions here.

 

[6t8-390gt]

I kinda like my 68.5 Cobra Jet Coupe.

 

[Mosesatm]

I agree. The Eleanor fad greatly skewed the Mustang market towards fastbacks, but it seems to me that lately they might be coming back down to reality a little.

Coupes and GT/CSs are still a bargain.

 

[classicsguy]

Definetly the Eleanor Craze has to do with the fastback great demand. I think the Eleanor factor is fading but the fastback is still in great demand.
I had a 1967 GTA S code fastback that I put on E bay because I purchased a 1968 GT/CS that is in driving condition. This fastback needed EVERYTHING: New floorpans, cowl work,trunk floors,Rh front frame section,radiator support,rear cross member and tailight panel.Hood doors and trunk lid needed replacement.Needed complete interior refurbishing including dash. It was missing the power brake booster and p/s pump. It was not the original 390 engine and needed a complete rebuilt and so did the transmission. The car has not run in 2.5 years. I think you get the picture. I put a reserve price of $7,500.00 US dollars and within 26 minutes of start of auction it met reserve. The car finally sold for over $12K. I could not believe it. A guy from Germany bought it.
I plan to refurbish the GT/CS and get it back to original condition.

 

[390cs68rcode]

I kinda like my 68.5 Cobra Jet Coupe.

I prefer CJ coupes as well.

 

[Mustanger]

I have been following the Mustang market for several years now and the fact is that Mustang coupes are the least desirable of the 3 body styles. It seems like Fastbacks are the most desired. I am not sure of this statement but I even think that they are most sought after than convertibles,although convertibles are supposed to be the favorites and more expensive of the 3 body styles,but this statement will probably be put up for discussion some other time. It seems that coupes no matter what year are the least sought after no matter what engine and transmission combo or how well equipped they come. They just dont seem to be selling with the prices that fastbacks and convertibles are selling.
So I strongly believe if you are going to own a Mustang coupe it better be a 1968 California Special since all of them are limited edition Mustangs.
Do you guys/gals agree with this? Please post your opinions here.

One other factor, apart from personal preference, that people overlook that in the vintage Mustangs body styles, there was always more coupes (hardtops, squarebacks, etc) produced than fastbacks or convertibles ... and depending on the model year, sometimes there were less fastbacks than convertibles! So, based on rarity, there were more coupes than the other two body styles ... however, if now you're talking about Specialty Mustangs, then the CS is rarer because of the relatively low numbers produced ...

... but it's like I've said before: ultimately the public (market) will determine the value ... if they want it "bad enough," then an Eleanor clone may go for more than a rare one-of-a-kind-Marti-recorded Mustang ... look at what some of the concours cars are selling for vs. the customs at Barrett-Jackson (some Shelby clones are selling as much as or more than the real thing!) ...

 

[PNewitt]

About 1 in 60 1968 coupes is a GT/CS. They made 249,447 '68 Coupes (and 356,271 coupes in '67). So, a lot of them are still around. Something like 1/3 to 1/2--which still outnumbers several other late model cars with total production of something like 50k (i.e. Contour).

It would involve another discussion about Eleanor cars, but the hype about them (thanks to the magazines) is overdone, and (personally) I don't consider them as Shelby continuation cars. I've never been a fan of Foose, either. You have to consider the source of whom is buying the Eleanor cars. They are the types that already own Porsches, Vettes, and Beemers. They are not your typical Mustang collectors (generally speaking).

There are hundreds of those (what I call "ratty") '67 and '68 coupes down in Los Angeles;the workhorses that they are, outliving the '72-85 'stangs as daily drivers. We have a strong frame/unibody to thank for that. These are awesome cars, and I think they should be aknowledged for surviving for so long.

The coupe is a much lighter car than the FB or convertible. That is why it makes such a great racer (i.e. Terilingua Coupe). The coupe has greater rear visibility (assuming the top is up on Convert.). The coupe's top is a direct design que from the 1956 Lincoln Mk III.

My new book will speak to the coupe as a viable, and collectible Mustang. The Shelby prototypes (Little Red, Green Hornet); the latter worth a reported $2M.-- will influence the values over the years for coupes, and may influence future modifications.

Obviously, the GT/CS is a marque within a marque for the Mustang. It has a formal look to it, which with the Shelby racing look, makes it very unique.

Thanks for raising this discussion, "ClassicsGuy"

-Paul N.

 

[390cs68rcode]

the coupes are roughly 100-150 pounds lighter than the fastbacks. Not much lighter but lighter.

 

[Mustanger]

... Some time ago Mustang Monthly did an evaluation on '65 - '73 Mustangs as to which one would be best suited for daily driving - safety, options, etc. ... in other words, which would you feel safe buying as a car for your teenager ... they said: '68 coupe ...

 

[gt bandit]

No doubt about it CS/GT coupes ROCK !!

In a country where Mustangs are limited to around a 1000 different makes and models (If i see or hear of another 66 i will puke!!), the CS stands out and attracts heaps of attention - even at Non Mustang car shows.

glad i bought it , glad i am upgrading it and bloody glad it will be in our family for years to come!!

 

[admin]

About 1 in 60 1968 coupes is a GT/CS

And about 1 in 1000 is a HCS. :grin:

The numbers really tell the story about the coupe pricing vs the other two body styles, IMO. Aesthetic opinions aside, the more rare fastbacks and convertibles will get more attention.

 

[hookedtrout]

So I strongly believe if you are going to own a Mustang coupe it better be a 1968 California Special since all of them are limited edition Mustangs.
Do you guys/gals agree with this? Please post your opinions here.

I'd say you should own the one that appeals to YOU the most and not follow the trends unless you are simply trendy or of course your entire intent on purchase is to resell the Mustang with the intent on making a profit then it probably should have nothing to do with Mustang but rather what is the best purchase you can make and profit from the greatest in the least amount of time.

Is it love or money? I guess that's the bottom line. I own my CS because the first time I saw it, it had a huge impression on me and the second time I saw it, several years later, it was for sale. Done deal for me, I have never once had any intention on selling it and I don't forsee ever selling it. My son will someday own the car short of a life or death situation. I've owned it since the early 80's.

Cory

 

[Mustanglvr]

From what I`ve experienced, most people on the average can`t tell the difference between a coupe and a fastback, unless they are somewhat knowledgeable about Mustangs.

 

[Mustanger]

From what I`ve experienced, most people on the average can`t tell the difference between a coupe and a fastback, unless they are somewhat knowledgeable about Mustangs.

... or have a decent working knowledge of muscle cars in general ...

 

[Mosesatm]

Everyone who has commented on my car thought it was a Shelby. Or, as one guy put it, "Is that one of those Cobra things?"

 

[tworings]

I don't think I would have considered buying a "regular" coupe, but snapped up the CS before the guy changed his mind. LOL Maybe because we live in So. Cal a lot of people seem to know exactly what a CS is. It was fun taking her to the car show and listening to people's comments - one guy approached my husband and wanted to buy her because he had had one "just like it" when he was in high school.

 

[John McGilvary]

When I bought my CS it was the best looking Mustang on the lot, and the only CS I had ever seen. I wanted a Mustang with the new 428CJ, and the lot had five or six of them, fastbacks and one convert. I only had eyes for the CS and thats the one I drove home. I think that all Mustangs are cool, but for me if you are going to buy a coup or a fasback or a Shelby, it might as well be a CS. John