By 1968, the Ford Mustang had become one of the most popular cars sold in the United States, and while it had started off as a fun, sporty cruiser, the Mustang had become one of the most powerful cars on the roads.  One of the items that made the Mustang so popular was the occurrence of special edition models, starting with the Shelby Mustangs, and based on the success of those high performance models, Ford Motor Company began offering special editions of their own, such as their regional models, with the help of Shelby Automotive.  The first of these regional models was the High Country Special in 1966, which was offered only to dealerships in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska, and following the popularity of that model, Ford introduced the 1968 Ford Mustang GT California Special.

Designed by Shelby with many cues from their Shelby badged models, the west-coast only model was recognized by the GT/CS logo embedded in the stripe running across the rear quarter panel vents.  The GT/CS was offered only as a coupe, and this new regional model offered buyers the styling cues of the Shelby models, but using standard Mustang drivetrain components, thus keeping the cost down compared to the Shelby GT350 and GT500 models.

The options of the 1968 GT/CS started with the options of the base model Mustang.  Any option available on other Mustang models was available on the GT/CS, and that included the engine choice and exterior color. Once your Mustang was chosen with the given motor and color, the California Special was packed with exterior trim items.  The rear end of the car showed the most Shelby influence, with the same 1965 Thunderbird taillights found on the GT350 and GT500 and the same rear quarter extensions and molded trunk spoiler found on the Shelbys.  The gas cap was a pop-off style, but where the Shelby and Mustang GT models had either the GT or Cobra emblem, the GT/CS had a pony running in a rectangular corral.

The side of the car also got a Shelby cue with the side scoops, although they are not functional on the California Special.  The stripe ending as it comes across this scoop has a cut out section with the GT/CS logo, and on the rear quarter panels there was a chrome script California Special emblem.

The front end got a few small additions with the blacked out grille and “floating” fog lights.  The original GT/CS models were to use Marchal brand fog lights, which mounted on a bracket attached to the grille to achieve the floating look, but when it was discovered that the fog lights on the GT/CS were illegal in California, the rest of the units received Lucas brand fog lights with a short posts, painted to match the grille, mounted into the base of the grille frame.  The hood of the GT/CS received a unique addition with the turn-down hood fasteners.  The hood still used the center hood latching assembly, the turn-downs offered extra security. 

The GT/CS saw 4118 units made in 1968, and the trimline would not return in 1969, but with the introduction of the 2005 Mustang and its retro look, the Mustang began seeing rebirths of classic trimlines and along with multiple Shelby models, the California Special rejoined the Mustang lineup in 2007.

The 2007 Ford Mustang GT/CS is similar to the 1968 model in the fact that it is an appearance package, but it is available in both a coupe and a convertible and can be ordered at any Ford dealership in the United States.  The most noticeable difference from the GT to the GT/CS is the aggressive front fascia, which rides about an inch and a half lower than the front end of the Mustang GT.  Along the sides of the car, the 2007 GT/CS has similar stripes and side scoops, but the layout of the stripe is different as the logo cut out is at the front of the stripe, right behind the front wheel well, and the stripe fades as it nears the side scoop.  The rear end of the modern GT/CS follows the trend set by the original GT/CS with a Shelby-like splitter below the sporty rear fascia, and poking out from under the rear of the car are a set of polished, rolled circular exhaust tips.  While the hood pins have not returned, there is a hood scoop which is an option, as it is on other 2007 Mustang models.

The interior and engine bay have also received some dress up items.  The engine has received only a slight upgrade in the form of a GT/CS specific engine cover, but the GT/CS can be ordered with any of the factory offered Ford performance items such as higher flowing exhaust and air intake options. Inside the 2007 Mustang GT/CS, the interior has received various chrome and bright silver accents to the tone-two interior, from the dash to the leather seats, everything is finished in black with either Dove or Parchment color combinations.  Even the floor has been dressed up, thanks to GT/CS unique floor mats. 

The GT/CS shown in these pictures is owned by John Walker, and the he took advantage of the huge aftermarket for the 2005 and newer Mustangs to add some more vintage cues, as well as some items to add some power. Across the back, and black out panel has been added between the taillights, along with a rear window louver setup.  A Flowmaster exhaust system has been installed, as well as a K&N cold air intake kit to boost the power a bit.

The Ford Mustang California Special was a popular model in 1968 with many of the Shelby looks without the price associated with these ultra high performance models, and in a similar fashion, the 2007 Mustang GT/CS offers a sportier look from the Mustang GT, and along with a refined interior, this special edition Mustang could very well become another future collectible.