1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT S Code Notchback

The Ford Mustang was conceived in the full knowledge that in the mid 1960s the biggest population bubble in history was now coming of age in America, "baby boomers' would rule the '60s and there was little or no reason to think that they wanted to drive cars that were anything like the ones their parents owned.This dramatic new model, therefore, created a storm when it hit the streets and it still does to this day. Ford wanted to make the Mustang affordable, and consequently it needed to share much of its engineering with an existing Ford product, so it made sense to use the Falcon as it was their smallest model at the time and its floor pan and drivetrain had only recently been designed saving considerably on 'tooling' costs.Initially offered as either a "Notchback' Coupé or a Convertible with the 'Fastback' appearing later. It shared its front double-wishbone/coil spring and leaf spring rear suspension with the Falcon but compared to the saloon the cockpit sat further back on the chassis, resulting in a longer front and shorter rear end design, and both its roof and bonnet were also lower in comparison. Those proportions somehow just worked, and with a full complement of new styling details such as the galloping horse in the grille, the cut-away side sections, the 3-section rear lights and that 'shark-nose front profile, everyone wanted one and within the first 18 months over one million people had bought one. The 1968 Mustang was little changed from its 1967 counterpart. Most of the changes were in subtle refinements to the interior and exterior. New options for the '68 model included an AM/FM stereo radio, rear window demist (coupé and fastback only), re-designed front power disc brakes, and the all new 302 ci engine. The 302-4V, 230 horsepower engine replaced the 289 Challenger Special of previous years. By December of 1967, the 289 engine was replaced entirely by the 302 version. Other changes included the deletion of the horizontal grille bars, the deletion of the F-O-R-D letters at the front of the hood, simplification of the quarter panel ornament, and many safety features were added. Due to increasing governmental regulations, the 1968 Mustang now included front and rear side marker lights, folding, flush mounted interior door pulls, and an energy absorbing steering column. Total production for 1968 was 317,404 units, however approximately only 1400 390 'S' code GT Notchbacks were produced in total.

Our Mustang here is one of those 1968 cars, and is a left-hand-drive, Dearborn built, 'S' code, 390, 2-door hardtop (Notchback) assembled on July23rd and finished in Acapulco Blue with Blue Vinyl bucket seats. Supplied by the Quality Motor Company of Whiteville, North Carolina it was ordered with C-6 Automatic transmission, an Electric Clock, Power Disc Brakes, Power Steering, Tinted Glass, AM/FM Radio and a Louvered Bonnet.After its import to the UK it was subject to a total 'nut and bolt' restoration. There are over six dozen photographs of this work being carried out, and whilst we do not have the details of exactly what was done, from the photos it looks like every nut, bolt, clip, hose, bush and bracket has either been repaired, refurbed or renewed. I guess its the sort of restoration you would carry out if you had just won the lottery! There is a later (July 2015) invoice in the file, from American Automatics to recondition the C6 transmission and supply a new Torque Converter.In addition to the dozens of photos, the history file also contains some old American titles, a 'Marti' report dated 2015, the original dash chassis plate, the owners manual, a Holley Carburettor manual and the current MoT indicating that the mileage on 08/05/2015 was 41,978.This '68 Notchback is fabulous, and the best way to appreciate its condition, is to come and have a look.