'68 Mustang comes out of hibernation after 34 years (This week)
I'm a brand new member of the forum and this is my very first post. Please cut me some slack if I'm going about this wrong. ;-)
The Origin-
My father used to have a 65 mustang convertible but in 1968 he wanted to upgrade to a faster model. He decided at the time to trade it in and order one new from the factory. He decided on the following:
Specs-
Year: 1968
Model: Mustang Convertible
Engine: 302 with the factory 4 barrel carb
Transmission: 4 on the floor
Diff: Positraction
Color: Royal Maroon
Interior: It looked bluish, but it seems to be black (pics down thread)
Early History-
Dad drove the car moderately lightly from 1968 until 1979. During that time he did get into one fender bender that required some work on either the front right or front left of the car (I'm not really sure, it was simply fixed at the time). Other than that nothing else was ever done to it except plugs, tires, etc.
In 1979 as we moved from the Philly area to Chicago he drove it into a climate controlled warehouse, pulled the key out, drained the gas and simply walked away.
Hibernation-
Over the next 34 years, the car sat in the heated warehouse not seeing any sun, rain, salt or TLC. During that time the inventory in the warehouse built up to the point that the car could not be driven back out - it was completely blocked in by dozens of rows of stock each 15 or so feet into the air.
My Coming of Age-
When I was old enough to drive my father gave me his mustang. But since it was blocked in the warehouse I was unable to actually take possession of it. And it's now been 20 years since then!
Last Tuesday-
We finally knocked a hole in the cinder block wall and dragged the Mustang out into the world. I say dragged because the rear left wheel was locked up and so the car was skidded out by chain. There was zero oil/fluid on the floor once it was moved, it seems the perpetual 68° room put the car into hibernation for those 34 years.
In the past week the frozen rear break was broken free, the plugs were pulled, the top of the engine was lubed up, a battery was added and today just before lunch the key was turned and the damn thing roared right to life!
Future-
Now I'm faced with more options than I know what to do with. Considering it's still basically a factory car I'm leaning away from doing anything crazy with it. As an example, how many people out there have a '68 mustang with an original 1968 roof that doesn't even leak?
I assume that a full restoration could be accomplished at any point so I'm not incredibly motivated to do anything drastic like that right off the bat. But the drive train is something that I'd like to maintain even if I am content to have the original body and interior for a while.
Anyone have any thoughts or gotchas that I should look out for? As an example, the brakes need work. Should I keep the 4 drum breaks or could I put front disks on? I believe that disks were and option, but one that dad didn't get. Likewise on the power steering- it doesn't have it but I'm guessing that I could get my hands on the one (factory option) that would have been there had he ordered it.
Am I looking at this the right way, or is 100% stock something to be cherished more than I currently appreciate?
Thanks in advance for any tips/tricks or thoughts you may have!
68 Verts are the BEST car EVER made! (But then, I'm a tad partial). What an awesome story by the way.
I don't think that front discs can hurt. Power steering is not necessary. You get used to it fairly quickly. Having said that, I'll probably upgrade mine to power steering for my WIFE.
I think you should put your time and money into making the car reliable and safe. Go over the drum brakes and make sure they're still good to go. Check steering components for obvious wear or breakage. Lube up the u-joints and suspension components. Change all fluids. Make sure your gas tank is clean with no rust or you'll be paying for that for years to come.
Regarding modding it vs original, there are lots of arguments on both sides. However, it's YOUR car and if you don't like driving it due to its originality then what's the point of keeping it in a condition you don't like to make other people happy? OR, if you like it's originality then that's great too. It's really up to you as a personal preference.
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'68 convertible restoration "almost done". See Ol' Rusty's progress at 68Vert.BlogSpot.Com
1967 fiberglass fastback, all aluminum 427 supercharged and racing coilovers all around. "Still waiting to find a sequential manual transmission under 20k "
Welcome and congrats on your own personal "barn find"
I'm trying to wrap my mind around the unusual color combination, Maroon over blue? According the Kevin Marti, who has Ford's database from 1967 through 1973, Ford built one '68 convertible with that color (B) and trim (2B) combination.
As far as first steps, I suggest going through the brakes and refurbish as necessary along with new fluids for the other components before driving the car on a regular basis. Beyond that, drive it for a while to decide what things, if any, you might want to change/improve. Feel free to ask for advice. When it comes to spending other people's money, this crowd is very good at it !!
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*67 Vintage Burgundy 390GTA with most of the bells and whistles*
I'd clean it up, take care of the maintenance stuff (tires, brakes, fluids, u-joints, etc.), and use it.
If it were me, I'd put a self-imposed embargo on any 'improvements' until everything was working perfectly for a year or so. Plenty of folks mistake bad condition for bad equipment, don't be one of them.
I just pulled mine out of long term hibernation too. Parked since 1990. I haven't worked on the engine yet. Good luck with your car.
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Titus_RacerX
'66 GT 2+2 Springtime Yellow. 6T09A111858
Parked since 1990. Carport find that I've been watching for 10+ years. Restoration Blog -- Code Name: Daisy Code Name: Daisy Photobucket
Often the path to forgiveness is to realize that the other person is an imbecile.
Wow, what a story....Do whats in your heart. Me, personally, I like to keep original Mustangs just that, Original. It's not like your dragging this Mustang out from behind a barn with years of neglect and rust. This Mustang is a virtual time capsule. But like other have said, fix the stuff to make it safe to drive and over a period of time, YOU will know in your heart what you want to do,,,,Good Luck
Also, I forgot to mention a very important thing,,,,PICTURES, PICTURES,PICTURES.Since it is a time capsule... pictures of everything from engine compartment,i.e,.stickers,wiring colors,etc. Interior,i.e,seat upholstery,dash, carpet. Trunk,i.e, trunk mat,spare,jack and handle,wiring to back lights. Especially undercarriage,i.e, take pictures of EVERYTHING UNDER THERE. You WILL be glad you did.
__________________ MCA member 27 years(#17780)
1969 Mach 1, Owned 43 years.
1967 Mustang, Owned 33 years.
__________________ Bay Area Mustang Association
President BAMA 2012-
'65 Fastback Mustang Monthly March 2013 NorCal Forum
Before
After
If you can read this, thank a teacher. Since it's in English, thank a soldier
Congrats and welcome to VMF. IMO (somewhat biased) you inherited the all time classic early Mustang. To me the 68 Vert is to Mustang like the 32 Ford roadster is to Ford.
One of the first things I would do is get a Marti report. Your Stang is likely exceedingly rare. From what you say the warranty tag on the driver's door must be original. What does it say for body color code and trim code? Am I right thinking you got the Royal maroon exrerior and metallic blue interior from the door tag or what someone said?
Please keep us informed on what you do with this super, wonderful car! Frankly if I had ordered my 68 vert new it would be a J code, 4 speed with posi. the rest would be as mine is!
Enjoy the hobby,
Slim
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My '64 1/2 vert. Ordered May '64. D code 4 speed, handling package, caspian blue, accent group, Ford blue manual top.
'68 vert. driver. Owned since '77. C code AT, AC, PS, P disc B, PT lime gold, standard black interior and top. NOS RF fender and left quarter.New top and folding glass.
68 Verts are the BEST car EVER made! (But then, I'm a tad partial). What an awesome story by the way.
I don't think that front discs can hurt. Power steering is not necessary. You get used to it fairly quickly. Having said that, I'll probably upgrade mine to power steering for my WIFE.
I think you should put your time and money into making the car reliable and safe. Go over the drum brakes and make sure they're still good to go. Check steering components for obvious wear or breakage. Lube up the u-joints and suspension components. Change all fluids. Make sure your gas tank is clean with no rust or you'll be paying for that for years to come.
Regarding modding it vs original, there are lots of arguments on both sides. However, it's YOUR car and if you don't like driving it due to its originality then what's the point of keeping it in a condition you don't like to make other people happy? OR, if you like it's originality then that's great too. It's really up to you as a personal preference.
What a cool deal and nice looking car. We do need more pictures. There was a typo in aolshove's note above. He meant to say 65 verts are the BEST car EVER made. LOL. Just kidding, they're all the best.
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Tom
65 convertible, 289 C code, C4 automatic, Wimbledon white, red interior.
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'68 Mustang comes out of hibernation after 34 years (This week)
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MCA member 27 years(#17780)
