My dream car has been a 1968 Mustang fastback ever since I saw Steve Mcqueen hauling ass through San Francisco in the movie Bullitt. I was just 10 years old when I saw the infamous chase scene which essentially reshaped my definition of what I thought was “cool”. Once older, I spent a long time trying to find a similar car and had almost given up as the whole “Gone In 60 Seconds” fad (because it’s really just a fad) had pretty much destroyed my hopes of getting one. Prices for 1967 and 1968 fastbacks shot up to ridiculous numbers the moment that movie hit the silver screen. Not only that, I wasn’t really in a position as a teenager with zero experience restoring mustangs to jump into a major project.
As a result, we have what I call the “guinea pig” mustangs and falcons. These are the cars that gave me the knowledge I have today as they let me try, fail and learn. This meant I would be looking for a relatively major project.
With that being said, I love my ’69 convertible and my family does as well. Once I told them I was planning on selling it, they got rather emotional as I’ve been through quite a lot with that car and they’ve seen me grow with it. So, here we are: two mustangs at our house now. The ’69 is likely to stay in the family as my parents have technically taken it off my hands.
Before I get into details, I have to thank a very good friend and mentor, Jeff Tepper, for all of his help and guidance throughout the years- not to mention helping me get the ’68 home! The car was located about 2 hours away and the cheapest quote for a tow was nearly $800. I did my research on how to use a uhaul pickup and trailer. I won’t get into details, but I brought the car and all its parts home safely with no hiccups.
This particular fastback is an S code with a close ratio 4 speed. The original 390 is long gone, but a supposedly rebuilt 428 short block and Cobra Jet heads came with the car. The car is 80% complete, I’m missing items such as the bell housing, flywheel, driveshaft, intake, and a lot of other little bits.
Someone at some point was in the middle of turning the car into a Boss 302/GT500/Mach 1 clone, hence the stripes and all of the fiberglass. Someone even cut a hole in the hood for a shaker hood and mounted ’69 sport mirrors. I intend on taking all of those parts off, I think they’re better suited for a Shelby and or Boss. I’ve managed to source an original deck lid, quarter extensions, and turn signal hood. She’s going to be a mismatch of parts for a while.
The only rust I’ve found on the entire car is a spot about the size of a quarter near the back bumper, a far cry from the nightmare of my field find convertible.
My biggest challenge will be sourcing parts and finding time to work on the car as I’ll be down in Southern California for school. Rome wasn’t built in a day and this car is no exception. I’m just incredibly stoked my dream car is now in my garage!
