Inheriting another person’s stalled project can be fraught with dangers. Depending on how far work has progressed, it can prove challenging for potential buyers to determine whether any work has been completed to an acceptable standard. That shouldn’t be the case with this 1968 Mustang GT Fastback. The seller purchased it around twenty years ago, but its restoration stalled before it could proceed far. It allows potential buyers to see what they’ll receive for their money and tackle the build in a way that suits their timeframe and budget. The GT is listed for sale here on eBay in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Bidding has raced to $27,600, which is short of the reserve.

The seller has obtained a Marti Report for this GT, revealing it would have been an attractive and desirable beast when it rolled off the showroom floor. The company produced 317,404 Mustangs during that model year, with 24,971 wearing Sunlit Gold. That figure makes it one of the more popular shades, although it falls well short of Lime Gold’s total of 42,724. Interestingly, the least popular was Pebble Beige, which only graced the panels of 4,687 cars. This GT’s paint has seen better days, and the buyer may elect to strip the car to bare metal in a quest for a high-quality restoration. It would be worth considering a rotisserie process, as it would allow them to address its rust issues more effectively and thoroughly. For a First Generation vehicle, it is surprisingly solid. The seller admits one front frame rail requires a patch where the bumper attaches, and new front floor pans may be on the shopping list. Otherwise, the Mustang appears rock-solid. One door has rust, but the seller includes a pair of good secondhand replacements to consign that issue to the pages of history. A dent in one upper rear quarter panel needs attention, but the remaining panels look pretty good for their age. Initial impressions suggest returning this Mustang’s panels and paint to a pristine state should not be difficult.

Considering the state of this Mustang’s paint, it’s no surprise its interior begs for TLC. The Marti Report indicates the original owner ordered the car trimmed in Nugget Gold vinyl, complementing the exterior tastefully. The seller spent the past two decades sourcing genuine parts for their build, including many of the components for a Deluxe interior. They include those items plus the parts for a factory air conditioning system in the sale. The buyer will need to assess the pieces for serviceability, but this sounds like it could be the most affordable part of the build.

The original owner elected to tread the safe middle ground with this GT because while buyers could order their car with anything from a 302ci to a 428 Cobra Jet, this car rolled off the line with a 390ci V8, producing 325hp. With its original four-speed manual transmission bolted to that powerhouse, it would have stormed the ¼ mile in 14.4 seconds. The seller states that the GT isn’t numbers-matching. However, the included 390 long block is period-correct and freshly rebuilt. It lacks a valve train and pulleys but offers a good starting point for the new owner. They also include a new triple-disc Center Force clutch, a new flywheel, and a set of headers. There is no transmission, but sourcing one is unlikely to prove challenging.

Determining the desirability of some project cars can be challenging, while others leave no doubt. This 1968 Mustang GT Fastback fits the second category, as it has already attracted an impressive forty-eight bids. There’s time remaining on the auction for the price to climb higher, and with the rock-solid popularity of First Generation Mustangs, I have no doubt it will. Restored to a high standard, it should command a value beyond $55,000 any day of the week. With that thought in mind, where do you think the bidding will reach when the hammer falls?