Newbie Help on CS Purchase

[BroadwayBlue]

Thanks everyone! The picture is a big help.

I'll update you with more info as I get it.

 

[BroadwayBlue]

I got the Vin and Data Codes. Everything seems to check out. Going to get the report run as soon as I can.

8R01J160200
65A I 26 13E 75 5 1

Based on my findings these decode to the following:

8 - 1968
R - San Jose
01 - Hardtop
J - 302 (4v)
160200 - consecutive number

65A - Hardtop with Standard Interior
I - Lime Gold
26 - Black with Black Trim
13E - May 13th
75 - Phoenix
5 - 3.0:1
1 - 3 speed manual

Thanks again!
Rich

 

[Mustanglvr]

Good job Rich. You`re getting the hang of all this. My GT/CS has the same Phoenix DSO as the one you want to buy. Mine will turn 37 years old on May 15th. Good luck with the purchase. Rhonda

 

[case12]

Rich,

Your car is indeed in the 89 and 96 GT/CS registry. The owner name listed (in the 89 and 96 registry) is Louis Chimento. It has this note in the registry "Dealer AC. A/C-york compressor, jupiter unit under dash. GT center caps found in trunk. Previous (original) owner bought it in Arizona, and drove it to New York".

Looks like you have the real deal - BUT, only the Marti report proves it (even a car in the registry may not be authentic - but this one is looking good). Casey

 

[BroadwayBlue]

Thanks for checking Casey!

Yes that is him, that is the current owner. He said he has owned it for 20 years so it makes sense that he would be the owner in 89 too.

He is the 3rd owner of the car.

I'm going to give a call tomorrow to try and get the Marti report done and faxed to me.

Is the Basic ($17) report enough just to check the car? I may upgrade later if I close the deal and it seems you don't have to pay full price if you upgrade the reports.

Thanks again everyone! This info is great!

Rich

 

[68sunlitgold]

Rich,
yes the basic will be enough to authenticate the car. I did the same thing by getting the basic and then upgrading once I purchased the car.

Doug

 

[BroadwayBlue]

I got he Marti report faxed to me today.

Everything came back as expected except for the interior code. Everything else matched including the California Special option.

I think I messed up the codes when I decoded them in my previous post.

When I decoded the info on the interior color this weekend I thought my friend told me the interior code was 26. When I looked it came up black so I didn't think anything of it... He had said he had a tough time seeing the data plate because it was raining pretty hard and they couldn't pull the car out of the garage.

Today I had a Marti report run on the VIN from the Ford database it came back with the same data plate info I had except instead of 26 it was 2G. The 2G is the 1968 interior color code for Ivy Gold. In a dark garage the 2G could easily look like a 26.

I checked back at the decoder I used for the 26 and realized it was black but not for 1968 - that was the code for 1965 and 1966. For 1968 the color code for black would've been 2A.

Someone checked the registry entry for the car and it is listed as 2G there also.

So I'm just trying to confirm at what point the interior was swapped out from gold to black. Being the color was changed from lime green to blue, I would've changed the interior too but just want to confirm.

I actually prefer the Blue/Black combo - no offense to those with Lime Green/Ivy Gold - just personal preference.

My question is, assuming the interior was swapped out with the color change, do you think that is a big deal? I know from an originality standpoint it's not ideal but does that diminish the value a lot? I do prefer this color combo.

The corrected decoding info, and now confirmed with the Marti report, should be as follows:

8 - 1968
R - San Jose
01 - Hardtop
J - 302 (4v)
160200 - consecutive number

65A - Hardtop with Standard Interior
I - Lime Gold
2G - Ivy Gold
13E - Scheduled for build May 13th
75 - Phoenix
5 - 3.0:1
1 - 3 speed manual

Thanks as always!
Rich

 

[Mosesatm]

In my opinion, if you are interested in keeping the resale potential as high as possible it depends how you will use the car. If you are going for a 100 point restoration then the change in color may hurt resale, but then so will the change in color of the exterior. If you are going for an awsome looking car that will appeal to the most people possible then the change to a black interior will probably help resale.

The performance look of black appeals to me more than the elegant look of the colored interiors, and I'd bet that most Mustang fans prefer the black interiors. Sounds like it's time for another survey!

If you keep the car blue going back to the gold interior would be an interesting contrast to say the least.

An interesting debate might be trying to decide which combination would have the best resale. Blue/black, Green/gold, or Green/black. I think we'll can safely leave blue/green out of the mix.

 

[case12]

Of course - Sunlit Gold with Parchment interior is undoubtedly the best combination

As for Blue on Black - Colors change over the years. Blue with white strips and a 302 is awesome. Many owners on this site have different color cars from the data plate. The car is a nice original GT/CS (from Phoenix DSO), and to me that is what matters most - If you like it, and want to drive it, and want to have people say "wow!" - then go for it. Casey

 

[390cs68rcode]

Royal maroon paint, Black interior, white vinyl top with white stripes. Best resale/desirability/gotta have color combination. I might be a little biased though. ;D

 

[hookedtrout]

[quote author=jbsteven link=board=1;threadid=1624;start=45#msg10027 date=1115079388]
Royal maroon paint, Black interior, white vinyl top with white stripes. Best resale/desirability/gotta have color combination. I might be a little biased though. ;D
[/quote]

What are you guys drinking? Acapulco Blue with white stripes is simply the ultimate in Mustang color combination, there is no doubt...in my mind. The same goes for a Shelby Cobra, it's perfect baby.

Hook

 

[Mustanglvr]

I like the color combo of Highland green exterior and saddle brown interior. Does anybody know how many GT/CS`s came with that combination? Rhonda

 

[BroadwayBlue]

[quote author=Mosesatm link=board=1;threadid=1624;start=45#msg10023 date=1115073481]
In my opinion, if you are interested in keeping the resale potential as high as possible it depends how you will use the car. If you are going for a 100 point restoration then the change in color may hurt resale, but then so will the change in color of the exterior. If you are going for an awsome looking car that will appeal to the most people possible then the change to a black interior will probably help resale.
[/quote]

I'm not looking to buy the car as an investment that I'm expecting to increase in value. I'm not looking for a concours restoration either (at least not at this point 8) but you never know what the future holds right?).
I'm looking for something I can enjoy driving, take to local cruises and shows and have something that's just a little different.

I see your points though it could go either way.

If I was buying the car new the blue/black combo would be my first choice with the maroon/black a close second followed by the highland green/parchment or black.

If I broke even with this car on a resale down the road I'd be happy. If I lose money on it down the road but I enjoyed it for the time I had it I'm OK with that too.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Rich

 

[BroadwayBlue]

[quote author=case12 link=board=1;threadid=1624;start=45#msg10024 date=1115074105]
As for Blue on Black - Colors change over the years. Blue with white strips and a 302 is awesome. Many owners on this site have different color cars from the data plate. The car is a nice original GT/CS (from Phoenix DSO), and to me that is what matters most - If you like it, and want to drive it, and want to have people say "wow!" - then go for it. Casey
[/quote]

I'm kind of in the same place I think.
I don't hear anyone saying "Oh my God don't even bother buying it if that's the case " - so that's a good thing. I think for the price and knowing it's an original GT/CS it's a good deal.

You don't see a lot of GT/CS cars in the NY area either so it will be something unique in that sense. Knowing it's history and loving the color combo works for me.

Rich

 

[Mustanglvr]

Let me tell you BroadwayBlue, you won`t ever regret buying a GT/CS. I still can`t get over the fact that people will stand on the street corner with their mouths open just glaring at my car as I drive by. I have had a lot of people run up to me at the gas station to tell me how rare they think my car is. Alot of people who see it feel they are seeing something they will probably never see again in their lifetime. I know alot of people think what I have is a rare Shelby, but they are usually pleasantly surprised to find it is a rare California Special. In the last year since I`ve owned the car I could`nt begin to count how many times a perfect stranger has asked me if I would sell it. I`ll tell you, if you like attention then a GT/CS is the car for you. Just wait, you`ll see what I mean when you drive it for the first time. Make sure you know all the information about the car because people are going to be asking alot of questions. Here in Minnesota there are only 3 and mine is 1 of them. I wonder how many are in New York? Again, Good Luck with your purchase. Rhonda

 

[BroadwayBlue]

Thanks for the feedback Rhonda!

I hear what you're saying and I don't mind the attention at all. I've always driven cars that were a little bit different, whether it was color or something else. I like that it's rare and unique. I'm hoping it will spark a lot of conversation and questions. That's part of why I'm asking the owner and everyone here so many questions. I want to know all I can about the car's history. I'll let you know the outcome!

Rich

 

[case12]

If you go for it, get every piece of paper work and parts from the owner as part of the deal - bug them for anything they can remember and find. I asked for everything and months later I am still getting stuff from the owner like oil change receipts from the 90's. Ask for owners manuals, warranty cards, build sheets, etc - as this person has had this GT/CS this long it is likely that he has some of this stuff. I literally got boxes full of original parts with my GT/CS because I asked (all the way down to original screws, ORIGINAL hose clamps, original wiper motor (that died at one time) - you name it - that were changed on the car along the way and this guy just stuffed old parts in his garage). Since this is a rare car, you will be glad to have all the info you can get on it from the owner. Casey

 

[BroadwayBlue]

Hi Casey!

I will definitley ask for anything I can get.

I heard back from him via email that the original owner had changed the color to black on the interior. It was black when he purchased it, he only changed the exterior color.

I'm going to set something up with the inspection agent to go check it out and make plans to head out to Long Island and see it for myself.

Thanks again!

 

[BroadwayBlue]

Hey Everybody!

I got a chance to go see the car for myself yesterday.
I love it!
I got a chance to drive and check everything out on my own. I checked out all the things everyone mentioned and all - it did have the metal light covers in the back and the scoops looked correct and had the screens still.
The paint, chrome and interior are in decent shape.
Eventually will need a paint job - there is a spot under the hood where the blue is flaking some and you can see the old green paint. Checked all the recommended rust locations and all looked good. Overall is a solid car.

I have one problem though and it was something I mentioned earlier and was concerned about.

It's a tight fit for me especially that it doesn't have tilt wheel. The steering wheels are lower than I thought.
The owner remembered some tilt wheel kits that use the original steering wheel and recommended I check them out. I did some searching online and found the Flaming River kits on a few sites.

I'm curious to know if anyone is familiar with the Flaming River Tilt Wheel kits ?
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Steering/steering_columns.htm

Has anyone had experience installing them?
Are there other brands?

This is probably the only thing standing between me and purchasing the car. :-\

Appreciate any feedback!
Thanks!
Rich

 

[case12]

Tilt wheel was also an option on the 68. So, you could keep it all original by getting one of those if you chose to. Casey