My '68 coupe, or is it a '67

[Metcalf]

Hi all. I've been lurking for a while reading all I can and admiring all the wonderful Mustangs. I recently purchased a titled, '68 year car (8 model year) that has a grill from the '67 model with the two horizontal bars beside the pony. Other than that it has the windshield mount mirror, the signal markers in the hood, the rear marker light in the body panels and the VIN on the left fender and right corner of the dash. It does not have the front fender marker lights that I thought all '68 models had. No indication of any mods in the past other than a poor paint job of red over the stock white.

It appears all original so could this just be a late '67 car with partial '68 features? Anyone else seen similar cars? Thanks for all help in advance.

 

[Crs]

Check your Vin#'s. Looks like a 68 with a 67 grill. 67's didn't have side marker lights on the Quarter panels.

 

[EP429]

From the fenders forward is 67, likely the result of a fender-bender from way back when

 

[Realmongo]

As pointed out above, it as probably a case of 1967 parts used to fix a 1968 car. 1968 cars had the VIN on the dashboard visible through the passenger side of the windshield. I am just curious if there are any 1967 VINs at the top two fender aprons? Sometimes if there are two similiar cars one totaled in the front and one totaled in the rear, they are each cut apart and the two good ends are welded together.

 

[2+2GT]

The hood, grille, and fenders are 67, and as noted above, most likely the result of minor accident repair using the wrong year parts. Nothing unusual about it. Answers to the VIN questions would be interesting.

 

[JonK]

Same here being a '67 owner. Looks like someone totalled the front end and replaced it with '67 parts. Notice that it has the '68 side marker lights in rear quarters and doesn't have the '67 vents in front of the rear tires. I would take a good look at the front frame area, strut rod mounts, etc. to see if you notice and bent up metal or tweaking to straighten. This will help determine how serious the front ender was. Could have been minor (no damage to frame) but still bent up the hood/fenders and ruined the grille. take a look at the upper radiator support also for straighness.
Jon

 

[dodgestang]

Nothing wrong with a 68 looking like a 67

 

[zookeeper]

Amen to that. The problem is (my '67 GT350 clone is actually a '68) when you go a car show and register it. If your info sign says '68, there's always some know-it-all pointing out the '67 parts. If you register at the show as a '67, it's just the opposite. Such is life but it's still irritating...

 

[Metcalf]

Well, I'm in Mexico right now and the car is in TN but this I know:

67 grill
67 front fender (no markers)
68 rear half
67 lap belts
68 hood with 67 FORD letters
67 Grill
68 VIN on dash and Fender(not sure about the right fender but the left has it)

The VIN on the drivers fender matches the VIN in the dash. I know the car is a '68 model from the VIN and title and has the 8 model year designation as the 1st no in the VIN. I've closely looked at everything and can see no evidence of reconstruction at all. Everything points to a clean car with only a later "poor" paint job probably in someones garage to cover the white underneath. I suppose the grill could have been changed out but the rad support, inner fenders and everything in the front end looks untouched. If it were repaired I would expect to see some evidence...right?

T Hanks for the suggestions. When I get home I'm going to pull the grill and see if there is any evidence it has been changed or is a repo. I'm fairly certain the bumpers are repo.

What other diffs were certain on the model yrs? I'm hoping it's just an early 68 with 67 leftovers?? I know that's not unheard with FORD and all the others. Tim

 

[Fibersport]

Besides what has been brought up already, the dash panel, steering wheel and seat vinyl is slightly different between the two. All of these could be easily changed but it seems that maybe the previous owner just liked the 67 grill? A 67 steering wheel is a three spoke with the big center "thing", 67 gauge cluster will have separate turn signal indicators, for the vinyl it would be best to look at an ad for replacement pieces as they will show the pattern. I also think the 68's had a rectangular interior door release while the 67 was a rotating lever type. Also, the turn signals in the hood was a 67 option as well, not just for 68. Also, what engine is in it? If it's a 302 it would be a 68 although I think there were some early 68's with 289's.

 

[Metcalf]

Besides what has been brought up already, the dash panel, steering wheel and seat vinyl is slightly different between the two. All of these could be easily changed but it seems that maybe the previous owner just liked the 67 grill? A 67 steering wheel is a three spoke with the big center "thing", 67 gauge cluster will have separate turn signal indicators, for the vinyl it would be best to look at an ad for replacement pieces as they will show the pattern. I also think the 68's had a rectangular interior door release while the 67 was a rotating lever type. Also, the turn signals in the hood was a 67 option as well, not just for 68. Also, what engine is in it? If it's a 302 it would be a 68 although I think there were some early 68's with 289's.

Original 2 spoke steering wheel. The door releases are what I thought was the 68 rectangular rotating (part of the safety improvements), no dash indicators for signal lights and factory 289 2V.

 

[2+2GT]

Original 2 spoke steering wheel. The door releases are what I thought was the 68 rectangular rotating (part of the safety improvements),

Yes, all 68 items.

no dash indicators for signal lights

Huh? Of course there are dash indicators for the signals. Required by law.

and factory 289 2V.

The "C code" 289 2V was available in 67 and 68.

 

[Realmongo]

In 1968 if you ordered a 2V small block you got the C-Code 289, if you ordered a 4V small block you got the 230 Horse J-Code 302.

 

[Couped Up]

I'm with the Majority in thinking this car has a complete '67 nose, on a ;68 chassis. It's very probable that this car sustained superficial wounds in an accident 43 years ago, and could have had a quality repair job done, utilizing a '67 nose. (Maybe '68 parts were hard to get at that time?) than painted white..... Later the Red paint job could lead you to think that it was original? Get a Marti report on the car, to see how early the build date is. And as others have mentioned, check both apron vins, to see that they match the dash vin.

It's still a classic, with some history, and alive at 43, so have fun with it!

 

[Fibersport]

Just get a vanity plate that says "MY 678"

 

[Metcalf]

Thanks everyone....looks like I jumped the gun. I was sitting in Mexico with too much time on my hands, wishing I could get started with my new project. The car appears to be all original, no damage or repair with the exception of the '67 grill which was probably replaced when the bumpers were at re-paint.

Miscellaneous Vehicle Data
Body: 65A 2 Door Hardtop, Standard Interior
Color: M Wimbledon White
Trim: 2A Black Crinkle Vinyl and Black Kiwi Vinyl, Standard Interior
Date: 16M December 16, 1967
D.S.O: 28 Louisville
Axle: 2 2.79:1, Conventional
Trans: W C4 Automatic

Has the original 289 2V engine.

Looking forward to asking lots of questions and sharing build as I get started....but first, a garage is in order as my carport is too small.

 

[Couped Up]

In one of your previous pictures, it appears that the front left fender is lacking the side marker light? This could have been the basis of some of the opinions? Good Luck with your new pony!