1968 Ford Mustang 289 Convertible Sea Green Foam

1968 Ford Mustang2 Door Convertible4.7L V8

Year of Manufacture: 1968
Body Type: Coupe
Engine Size: 4,700cc 289 cu in
Power BHP: 220 BHP
Gearbox Type: Automatic
Mileage: 14,894
Colour: Sea Green Foam
Factory Options: Power Steering, Power Hood & Radio

This 1968 Convertible V8 Mustang invokes the 60’s in every way. The outstanding original colour of pastel Sea Foam Green with the contrasting ivy gold/light green interior with the white power convertible top could be straight out of an Elvis film of that era.

We have restored this car to its original glory in our Mustang workshop this year. This Mustang was built in the Ford San Jose California plant and was then sold to the Hertz Corporation who purchased the car on the 23rd of April 1968. At this time Hertz had a big tie-in with Ford which worked both ways. Hertz advertised “rent a racer” for the fastback and some of those original cars are making a great deal of money now. Also, it gave the opportunity for people to try before buying and if they were interested in the car, they could buy it.

Jessie and Annette Wallick did exactly that they bought the car together in 1969. They were fortunate enough to have two homes one up north and the other a winter home in Green Valley Arizona. This is a town especially favoured by the so-called “snowbirds” who jump on a plane to get out of harsh winters up North, hence their name. This town is located 25 miles South of Tucson in southern Arizona on the road to Nogales Mexico. This Mustang was kept only to be used when the Family were on vacation. Hence it has always been kept in a very dry climate. As the years went by their house in Green Valley became their retirement home and eventually, Annette became a widower and at that point, she decided to sell their much-loved Mustang. We were delighted to but it although we did promise to bring it back to its former glory. The sun had faded the interior and the paintwork although extremely solid had also faded. We told Annette that we would do a sympathetic restoration with a couple of modern-day improvements, which she was delighted with.

All the interior has been re-trimmed throughout, from sun visors, dashboard, seats, seat coverings, carpets, soundproofing etc is all new but of course original colours. The floors were found to be rock solid throughout as is all the chassis. The car has power steering and automatic transmission we are also fitting power disc brakes so modern-day driving can be enjoyed. A new twin aluminised exhaust system has been installed, which gives that V8 “burble”. We have also installed all new hydraulics for the power roof, so its operation is smooth and effective for another 50 years. The coachwork has also been re-painted it that beautiful Sea Foam Green. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt a few years ago and drives smoothly throughout, and the power steering helps it glide along effortlessly. Annette guaranteed the mileage was totally genuine at 140,000 as they had owned it for 49 years! She also said they had loved and cherished all the great times they had experienced with the family.

The last Mustang convertible we restored to this condition was purchased for a present and has been used all over Europe on tours. We hope that this Mustang will continue the next chapter of its life the same way it has spent the first 50 years being used and enjoyed.