Today we’re going to look at what was Max like when she left the factory at or a little later than the 29th of February 1968. That’s an important part in a restoration.
Was she a BTO car – made especially for someone who ticked certain boxes on an order form? Longingly awaited by that someone?
We may never know. But let’s be honest: It’s not likely.
Looking at her specs it’s almost certain Max was produced on stock order recommendations that existed back then. These are said to have been issued by Ford to let the dealers know what would sell out of the showroom.
And Max was built to exactly reflect that, let’s take a look at the details, found in the archives of Ford, researched be the Ford Customer Service Division and officially issued to me in September 2015:
8 1968 Model Year
F Manufactured at our Dearborn Assembly Plant
01 Ford Mustang, 2-Door Hardtop
C 289 CID 8-Cylinder 2V Engine
161xxx Consecutive Unit Number
This vehicle was produced on 02/29/1968 with the following options:
• Acapulco Blue Exterior Paint Color
• Blue Interior Trim Color
• All Vinyl Bucket Seats
• 3-Speed Automatic Transmission – C4
• 2.79 Conventional Rear Axle Ratio
• Visibility Group
• 6.95×14 4PR WSW Tires
• Power Steering
• AM Radio
• Deluxe Seatbelts
• District Sales Office: Omaha
Looking at that data you can almost be sure she was a stock order, Acapulco Blue was a nice, fresh, metallic paint color, appealing on first sight to most customers, surely attracting onlookers that wandered around the dealership.
The Automatic Transmission was the logical choice for a small standard V8 of the time, powered by a standard 2 barrel carburetor, putting out close to 200 bhp.
While the AM Radio back then was a very popular choice, the Factory Power Steering was not completely common at that time and surely was a welcome extra to add a little luxury.
White Sidewall Tires, Visibility Group and Deluxe Seatbelts added to that little luxury.
The Visibility Group at that time meant some nice things like the Left hand remote mirror, under hood lights, trunk lights, glove box light and lock, ashtray and underdash lamps and a warning light for the parking brake.
So what were we looking at in that showroom somewhere in the Midwest?
A nice, appealing luxury cruiser.
Sure she would sell fast.
Did you or your father / mum, grandfather / grandmother buy her?
Her first owner is still to be found – please contact me if you know more.