Description

1968 Ford Mustang Hardtop 1st Gen 302CUI (5.0)

Hellishly cool and dripping with attitude; '68 1st generation hardtop coupe with original spec J-code 302cui power

Dating from 1968 this menacing and epic sounding Mustang is from the first 'face-lift' redesign of the 1st Generation series of cars, with the later style grill/nose, concave rear lights, side scoops and updated dash. 

Imported from California and registered in the UK in November 2018, the car has seen significant work since, including new rear quarter panels, floors and other parts as pictured in the images on the listing. The interior has been put back 'as is' and the bodywork painted matt black to protect it from any surface corrosion.

The car starts and runs, sounding simply epic moving around as we took these shots.  The slightest prod on the gas makes the car surge forward via the auto-box on a wave of torque from the gutsy 4.9 Windsor V8 and its 4-barrel carbs - good for 271bhp when new - not bad for its era!

Presented here, as a running, driving J-code hardtop coupe ripe for completion, or, as we'd all like to romance the idea of 'use it as is, once mot'd' because its devillishly cool in its current 'rat-rod' style.  The 'Stang was presented for MOT in January this year prior to its arrival with us, its first UK MOT and failed on minor points which the vendor didnt have opportunity to address in time for the sale.  These included the hand brake, play in both front wheel bearings (we gather they are adjustable, so this should prove simple), a defective horn, a binding brake and some lighting issues no doubt caused by some poor earths.  Critically, no mention was made of rot, the achillies heel of many 60's cars which bodes well given the recent works undertaken and should prove a shrewd buy at the enticing and rather exciting estimate.

A point to note, the badges affixed to the wings of the car are non-genuine after market ones, for fear of theft - the genuine, hard to find and hugely valuable originals are with us securely in the office and make excellent desk art!!! In addition to the side emblems, we find the UK V5C, copy U.S Title document from the State of California, DVLA number plate authorisation statement and registration confirmation plus aforementioned MOT. An old sticker in the rear window suggests the car was owned/ran by the USA Department of Defense, registration no. R1Z-3J6 which definitely adds to the cool factor and allure, although we're not sure why!

We have managed to de-code the Vin number 8T01J168739 which suggests  -

8 - 1968 production
T - built at the Metuchen plant
01 - Hardtop body style
J - 302 CUI V8 4-barrel engine
168739 - consecutive unit number

We also note, that upon inspection, the transmission number appears to match the last 4 digits of the Vin, suggesting this could be a matching numbers car.  The engine number is very tricky to read given its position with 5th digit proving hard to clearly read, but we think its C8ZE (possibly a 3, an 8 or a 9 here) 425 A. The transmission no. looks to be 87178739.

The data tag found on the driver's side door end confirms the Vin/serial numberm. with -

Model year - 1968
Body-style - 65A - 2-door hardtop with standard bucket seats
Trim - 2UA - pastel parchment vinyl
Date - 16B - 16th February, first year
DSO - 15 - Newark
Rear axle - 2 - 2.79:1
Transmission - W - C-4 Automatic
Assembly Plant  Metuchen, New Jersey
Body serial - 2-door hardtop
Engine - 302 4v
Unit No. 168739

There is a data tag of sorts, attached to the top of the passenger side inner wing, suggesting the car to have power brakes PB, Power Steering and Air Conditioning ACCND and special paint (when new) plus some other options - VR, CS and HR which we are trying to decode -  we will keep you posted.

We've all been excited by this matt black beast and are all trying to convince our wives it would make an ideal new addition to our various fleets etc etc.

For more info contact - will.daniels@brightwells.com