1968 Why the Mustang will live forever

[speedy02]

Hagerty Article that I ran across today. Published 15 September 2023
*Please note the Coupe Values is based on Condition 3

Why the Mustang will live forever

It's a debate that's gone on for generations. What's the best way to spec a Mustang? We dig into the data.

insider.hagerty.com

From its introduction, the Mustang was available with a swath of engines, body styles, and submodels. As its competition caught up, even more engines and submodels arrived, which brings us to the 1968 model year, the first of our subject data. In the Hagerty Price Guide, we maintain values for four different V-8s available in the Mustang that year, ranging from the 289 two barrel with 195 hp to the 428 four barrel Cobra Jet with 335 hp. For a coupe, the values of the different submodels reveal an interesting pattern for a given engine: if you don’t need the extra bits that come with a GT or a California Special, the high-performance engines in the base model are a great deal.

 

[Ricky Knapik]

So where would a GT California Special land?

 

[speedy02]

@Ricky Knapik its the blue dot. But that is only a condition 3 car yours for a 390 would be right at the red dot or higher.

 

[franklinair]

What constitutes a condition 3?

Neil

 

[speedy02]

Hagerty

3. Good​

#3 vehicles drive and run well but are not used for daily transportation. The casual passerby will not find any visual flaws, but these vehicles might have some incorrect parts. #3 vehicles could possess some, but not all, of the issues of a #4 vehicle, but they will be balanced by other factors such as fresh paint or a new, correct interior.

4. Fair​

#4 vehicles are daily drivers, with flaws visible to the naked eye. The chrome might have pitting, the windshield might be chipped and perhaps the body has a minor dent. Imperfect paintwork, split seams or a cracked dash might be present. No major parts are missing, but there might be non-stock additions. A #4 vehicle can also be a deteriorated restoration.