What’s the price on 68 restored California special?

[Bob Gaines]

Interesting the article credits the design to Carroll Shelby when it was Ford designer who did the 67 Shelby. But I guess designed by Charley McHose just doesn't have the cachet of CS. Since it is a 68 car John Chun another Ford stylist could have had a hand in it.

PS: If you come across a red/black GT/CS (CA black plate ZAZ 235) run away from it. My sister bought it new and they fixed it after it got T-boned. Hit at the drivers A pillar the passenger door gap opened up to 1/2"+. They pulled it back but even the drivers AC vent wasn't in the right place anymore. She kept it another 6-8 months and bought a VW Bug.

GT/CS was a dress up sales tool installed on any Mustang. It added zero performance. I still have both sets of fog lights. If I remember the Marchal were illegal and the dealers swapped them to Lucas. My dad asked the dealer if he could have the takeoffs for his camper and they gave them to him. I took the Lucas ones for my car when my sister traded it in.

Did Carroll Shelby design Little red and the Green Hornet?

To the best of my knowledge, Carroll Shelby didn't actually design anything.

Shelby surrounded himself with good people.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Did Carroll Shelby design Little red and the Green Hornet?

Shelby's designer Pete Brock got the ax after the Coupes won the Manufacturers Championship (65) and CS was told to focus on the GT40s. Ford sent (and paid) their own stylist Charles McHose to work at Shelby American and design the next Shelby cars - Ford had the final signoff not CS. Ford wanted more than just stripes and performance. They wanted people to see the Shelby as a true premium Mustang they would be willing to part with extra money for. Styling was a big part of that image in Ford's eye.
PS - The handwriting was on the wall as soon as Ford gave CS the GT40s he was told not to expend any more energy on the Coupes. In 1965 the Coupes were entered by SA but entirely run and managed by Alan Mann Racing.
SA basically got the ax too in mid 67 when Ford took over all the assets and trademarks. Shelby was offered and accepted a contract to run a race team. This is why you see Shelby Racing, Inc. on the fenders of the 68 TA cars and not Shelby American. "Ford" built/delivered some of the last 67s (believed to be those with the Z on the serial number plate) and created Shelby Automotive to build the 68 and 69 cars - CS was the titular head of Shelby Automotive but really had no input into development or design - very similar to the 2006 GT500 which was entirely finished before marketing figured CS could help gin up the sales.

[FL SAAC]

Interesting the article credits the design to Carroll Shelby when it was Ford designer who did the 67 Shelby. But I guess designed by Charley McHose just doesn't have the cachet of CS. Since it is a 68 car John Chun another Ford stylist could have had a hand in it.

PS: If you come across a red/black GT/CS (CA black plate ZAZ 235) run away from it. My sister bought it new and they fixed it after it got T-boned. Hit at the drivers A pillar the passenger door gap opened up to 1/2"+. They pulled it back but even the drivers AC vent wasn't in the right place anymore. She kept it another 6-8 months and bought a VW Bug.

GT/CS was a dress up sales tool installed on any Mustang. It added zero performance. I still have both sets of fog lights. If I remember the Marchal were illegal and the dealers swapped them to Lucas. My dad asked the dealer if he could have the takeoffs for his camper and they gave them to him. I took the Lucas ones for my car when my sister traded it in.

What about C Special with a 4 2 8 ?

[Krelboyne]

The 1968 California Specials were only built as hardtops or coupes. No convertible or fastbacks.
They were only built at San Jose and debuted mid year 1968. Any RPO engine available.

If a 1968 GT/CS was destined for DSO 51 (Denver), they would have come with High Country Special badging.
HCS's or High Country Specials were a 'Denver' Colorado special edition. They were sold 1966-1967 in any body style, 1968 were rebadged GT/CS's.

[557]

I've seen 428cj cal specials,never seen one with a P.I....

[67 GT350]

SO, how much is that guy's friend's car work that started this post??!?!?!?!?!!??!?!!?!??!?!??!

[Royce Peterson]

I've seen 428cj cal specials,never seen one with a P.I....

Since the California Specials were only built in 1968 and they only came with the Mustang engines that were optional that model year, I don't see why any of them would be equipped with an engine that was not made that model year.

[557]

Well,the engine was made that year(68 gt500) but not available in the C.S. I believe...

[shelbymann1970]

I've seen 428cj cal specials,never seen one with a P.I....

the Red one, the white one or the blue one? All 3?

[68gtcoupe]

SO, how much is that guy's friend's car work that started this post??!?!?!?!?!!??!?!!?!??!?!??!

Hagerty lists the 1968 Mustang GT/CS with the C-code 289 at $33,500 in #3 (good) condition.
They list the standard 1968 Mustang coupe at $24,800 in the same condition
That indicates a 35% increase for the CS over a regular Mustang
Interesting, I am unable to find a value for any T-code 1968 Mustang, but obviously would be a deduction in value from the C-code cars.
This thread describes a car with essentially no optional equipment other than being a California Special.
So I guess whatever a basic 1968 Mustang 6-cylinder, 3-speed manual coupe is worth, plus 35%, if you want to put a number on it. 

[Bigfoot]

I own a black on black , 390-4v, stick , GT/CS.
I drove it to SAAC show 9 years ago from LA. It's in typical
Driver condition. Needs paint. Lots of patina.

Probably 50k all day long.
If it was restored it would be above that.

It's all about motor, condition , trans and color.

NFS

[Bigfoot]

Color might even supersede trans in value evaluation under certain circumstances

[Bigfoot]

I've seen 428cj cal specials,never seen one with a P.I....

Since the California Specials were only built in 1968 and they only came with the Mustang engines that were optional that model year, I don't see why any of them would be equipped with an engine that was not made that model year.

Royce is correct
BBlocks available were 390-2v (wagon type 390),  390-4v and 428CJ, no PI

[Royce Peterson]

Well,the engine was made that year(68 gt500) but not available in the C.S. I believe...

Special Shelby engine - only available in a Shelby.

California Specials had any engine that you could get in a MUSTANG in 1968 model year.

[Bigfoot]

Do we have a photo?