[reign444]

Ok so I have purchased my first Classic mustang and am mapping out my gameplan for restoration and want to get some input from someone who may have done a California Special clone. My car is a 1968 3 speed coupe with a 289 and AM radio as the only options. It is a numbers matching car and I purchased it off the second owner who only had it since 2005.It was well kept and in decent shape.
I plan on driving this car during the nicer months of the year once a week or so,perhaps less but not daily for certain. I am not going for show quality but for the thrill and enjoyment of working on her and driving her.I do want the body work and paint to be of decent quality but will most likey do a general cleanup of the underside and undercoating( had original factory undercoating which is peeling badly and floors were replaced years ago and undercoating there held up great) Any thoughts or suggestions in regards to going with a CS Clone? I plan on doing the exterior over in detail to the look and depending on my mood when the time comes possibly doing the interior as well. I am a bit unsure as to the exact interior details of the California Special for some item's. I am not sure what the center console would look like( have not found good photos of what this would look like for a 3 speed) and what did the floor mats look like. As well pointers,idea's and suggestions are always welcome.

[andrewmp6]

The interior of a California Special is just a normal 68 mustang nothing special at all.You can look at CaliforniaSpecial.com - 1968 California Special Limited Edition Ford Mustangs - GT/CS for color ideas and see the cars.To me the factory console for 67 and 68 are kinda ugly i would use a 68 cougar like shelby did or something more custom.

[reign444]

I have seen the center console but not with a manual shift. I am not a big fan of the look either from what I have seen so far. As well anyone know where I can find a grill for one. From what I have read they are no longer made as a reproduction but I am sure one could be found somewhere. As well I have seen suggestions to us the 67 grill as it is the closest to the CS as possible. Thanks for the input.

[andrewmp6]

Ask on that forum i thought it was a normal grill but just with the shelby fog lights which are pricey to get.Look at http://www.familyclassiccars.com/wp-...d-interior.jpg

[Calponycarsmike]

To build a California Special you will need the following:

Standard Grill (just remove horse and corral)
Lucas Fog Lamps (some early CS used Marchal Lamps)
Fiberglass Side Scoops with Metal Grilles
Fiberglass Quarter Panel Ext and Deck Lid
Fiberglass Rear Tail Lamp Panel with Shelby Tail Lamps
GT/CS Side Stripes and rear Deck Strip
Turnsignal Hood
Twist-Style Hood Locks (Hood Pins)
California Special Script on rear quarter panels
Pop-Open Gas Cap

You also need to delete the Mustang side emblems, but the Mustang Script stays on the front fender. (You also add one more fender script to the rear passenger side of the deck lid)

As far as Wheels they could have came with any factory wheels from Steel Wheels with Dog Dish Hub Caps all they way to the Styled Steel Wheelsl. The same goes with interior and engine combos the GT/CS it could be ordered with standard or deluxe interior, with a 6 cylinder or V8, auto or manual, with or without A/C.

Good Luck with your project.

[reign444]

Great, I had the exterior items all down other then the extra script I think. Wheels I was going with the GT style for that year and was more concerned with interior as to center console or none and floor mats.Thanks for the tips and help.

[reign444]

And yes Andrew the fog lamps can be pricey. Even more so If you want the first style that they used as opposed to the later.

[Ivy66GT]

Memories, memories. 40 years ago when I lived in Indiana I used to car-pool to work in a '68 CS driven by a 60 year old preacher. Neither of us ever dreamed it would be a car for someone to clone.

I remember the owner saying he would give me the car, his house and even through in the wife if he and I could only trade ages: I was 19.

[reign444]

Who would have known then that you were in a car that would become a rare part of Mustang History. I just love the look of the CS.

[andrewmp6]

If you want led tail lights, reverse lights or turn singal look at mustangproject.com

[reign444]

Will do Andrew. Thanks again all.

[andrewmp6]

If you need any help finding parts pm me.