1968 Mustang California Special - A.K.A. Cally
by Dave Charlton

By the summer of 2002, I was getting the itch again and began looking for another Mustang. I found Cally (left in photo) in Rantool, Illinois. Like Sally, she had been through a complete restoration.

The 1968 California Special was the idea of a southern California Ford dealer who saw 1967 Mustang sales fall off from the unprecedented levels of the 1965/1966 models. This was due primarily to the introduction of the Camaro and Firebird. This dealer got other dealers involved and petitioned Ford for a promotional car to increase showroom traffic. A total of 4,119 were built and sold in 11 western states with the lion’s share sold California. Over the years, they got the nickname of “a poor man’s Shelby,” as it can be mistaken as a Shelby by the casual observer.

The owner sent me dozens of e-pictures, and we struck a deal by phone pending Bryan’s inspection. The owner offered to trailer Cally up to Custom Classics on a day that I was stuck in an all day meeting. Bryan called at noon and told me that apart from minor cosmetic flaws on the undercarriage and interior, the car was beautiful. Bryan also said that if did not want her when I saw it, he would take her. Since the owner wanted cash payment, Bryan even arranged that from his own bank, and the satisfied prior owner returned happily to Rantool.

Fortunately, my meeting ended mid-afternoon. When I saw the car, I was ecstatic! Needless to say, Bryan did not get second dibs on it! Bryan could not have been more helpful in inspecting the car, re-assuring me that it was a great buy and handling the purchase for me.

The only things I didn't like about the car were the chrome door edge guards, which just didn't work with the black California Special striping. I soaked them for a week in oil and tried very carefully to remove them, but as luck would have it, some paint also came off. With such a nice paint job, touch-up would not work so, back to Custom Classics. Bryan’s paint man did such an incredible job of matching both the color and texture of the paint that no one, not even me, would ever know that the doors were repainted.

It’s a lot of fun having both these cars. Folks marvel at Sally’s paint and are always interested in the history of the California special. This summer, I even had the pleasure of meeting the owner/restorer at the 2004 Mustang Grand Nationals.

What’s next? Not sure but something……

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