The person who coined the phrase “all that glitters is not gold” obviously wasn’t looking at this 1968 Ford Mustang GT California Special (GT/CS) when they uttered those words. It presents superbly, but the additional flake added to its Sunlit Gold paint makes it stand apart from the crowd. It needs nothing and is ideal for someone seeking a turnkey classic that will draw crowds. It is worth a close look because its condition may tempt you to pursue it further. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Matt H. for spotting this unique Mustang.

Ford virtually rewrote the post-war rulebook with its First Generation Mustang. It sold in unprecedented numbers, with 1966 marking the badge’s high point. Sales tapered from there, although they didn’t plunge to a disastrous level. The company was keen to stimulate the market, introducing several region-specific Special Editions. With over 20% of cars heading to California, the GT/CS was an obvious development. The company earmarked a sales target of 5,000 vehicles, but only 4,118 buyers paid the additional $194.31 for a California Special. Unlike similar vehicles for other areas, the GT/CS was a Hardtop-only proposition. The package brought many cosmetic enhancements previously reserved for Shelby vehicles, including the rear spoiler, scoops, and distinctive taillights. These enhanced the standard GT features like the grille with integrated foglights and the chrome wheels with center caps. Throw in unique stripes, and the GT/CS made a bold visual statement. The first owner ordered our feature car in Sunlit Gold with a Black vinyl top. Its presentation is impressive, although the seller did themselves no favors with the supplied images. They confirm the car underwent a repaint, but not when this occurred. They added additional flake during that process, making the paint really gleam. There are no signs of paint or panel issues, rust, or other nasty surprises. The vinyl is in as-new condition, the unique GT/CS features are intact, and the glass is crystal clear. There is little worth criticizing, and this Mustang would draw favorable comments if displayed at a Cars & Coffee.

This Mustang’s interior presents as impressively as its exterior but reveals another aspect of the car that isn’t original. Its trim combination raised questions in my mind, and a check of several reputable resources confirmed that Ford didn’t offer a combination of Medium Saddle and Black vinyl in 1968. I am happy to be corrected, but I suspect the seller undertook a custom component mix during a restoration. The factory radio has also gone, with its spot occupied by a retro-style stereo. If you ignore the lack of originality, there is nothing to criticize. The vinyl and carpet are spotless, the dash and pad are excellent, and the factory console is a welcome feature.

I will never understand why a seller would list a car of this caliber and fail to include engine photos. The California Special didn’t bring any performance enhancements, and the drivetrain is pure GT fare. This classic scores the 302ci V8 that sends 230hp and 310 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. Whether this car scores power assistance for the steering or front disc brakes is unclear, but it should provide excellent performance from its drivetrain combination. The seller doesn’t merely miss the mark with no photos, but there is no information on subjects like whether the GT is numbers-matching or how well it runs and drives. However, since they describe its condition as “like new,” that suggests it is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

The seller listed this 1968 Mustang GT California Special here on Craigslist in Gresham, Oregon. They set the price at $46,000, which is higher than the market average. There will be debate about whether the figure is justified because the additional paint flake means it can’t be considered original. However, there is no questioning its overall condition, and somebody who dreams of parking a GT/CS in their garage might pay the premium for this one. It has only been on the market for a few days, but do you believe it will find a new home?