California Special Mustang
The hope was for a targeted production run of 5,000; however, only 4,118 were made, including 251 units that were remarketed in Denver, Colorado, as "High Country Special '68".
This was all in response to the new pony car competition for the upcoming 1968 model year from the Camaro, Firebird, Javelin, and even from Ford's Torino and Mercury Cougar.
Ford dealers had tried promotions like the "1967 Rainbow Colored Mustangs", as well as by adding accessories and options to dress up cars for public view.
The objective was to make the Mustangs sold in California unique and to look "custom" made, thus differentiating them from the standard models available elsewhere.
This was a supercharged 428, C-6 automatic coupe that was dressed up in bright red paint, and a vinyl roof, as a formal, yet high-performance vehicle.
He met with Lee Iacocca in L.A., and the decision was made to bring the car to Dearborn to develop into a limited edition Mustang.
The fiberglass parts for the GT/CS included: the rear decklid and end caps, taillight panel, and side scoops (RH and LH).
[3] In Nerve Center episode 'Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction', it was revealed the reserve price was $2.5 million.
[4] The Mustang GT/CS features included: Marchal or Lucas Fog Lights, twist-type DZUS hood pins, side scoops, pop-open gas cap, rear spoiler decklid with end caps, and taillight panel with 1965 Thunderbird taillights (non sequential).
The GT/CS option adds 2 tone seats (Dove or Parchment inserts), unique floor mats, side stripes (with GT/CS behind the front wheel RH and LH), side scoops (behind doors), 18" polished aluminum wheels, rolled exhaust tips, faux gas cap (with words "California Special"), lowered front bumper/valance and unique rear bumper.
The heat extractors now featured on the 2013 Mustang GT's hood are painted black instead of body color.
The interior was updated with Alcantara-style inserts in the seats and doors where the 2011/12 model year sported a faux carbon fiber pattern.
When Ford introduced the newly modeled Mustang in 2015, it did not offer the California Special Edition package.
However, a mere year later, Ford brought back the highly sought after package when it debuted the 2016 model.
One of the signature additions to the GT/CS package are the Ebony Leather/Miko Suede Seat Inserts with Red Contrast Stitching and Embossed Logo.
The interior is mostly unchanged from the 2016-2017 edition, with the notable difference being the addition of Ford's digital instrument cluster and a revised SYNC system.
