If you're a Mustang fan, ou already know what the GT/CS stands for on the C-scoop of this 1968 Ford Mustang GT coupe. No, t's not Carroll Shelby, lthough his influence can be seen throughout the car; it stands for "California Special," and indicates a series of special models for the west coast. Today the CS is a prized possession, nd this one packs enough surprises under the skin to make it a genuine threat to today's best performers.The inspiration for the California Special did indeed come from Shelby, hose "Little Red" coupe was the CS's immediate predecessor. Shelby was studying the feasibility of a Shelby coupe, nd when Ford assumed production of Shelbys in 1968, uilding the California Special was easy. Farmed out to A.O. Smith, he Specials used Shelby rear clips, ncluding the fiberglass trunk lid with integral spoiler and those 1965 Thunderbird taillights. They also got special badging, ecals, nd stripes, custom gas cap, nd a Shelby-style blacked-out grille without a running pony and fitted with Marchal fog lamps. So it's easy to see why someone might mistake this for a Shelby. Fortunately, his one is the real deal and has been very nicely restored with an eye towards making it authentic, o no modifications were permitted. Finish quality is excellent, ith Wimbledon White paint and contrasting red stripes, lus arrow-straight bodywork underneath. The chrome has been restored and all the special California details are still intact.The interior is pretty standard Mustang fare, ith bucket seats, deluxe steering wheel, nd a long list of available options so you could dress up your California Special any way you wanted. This one is pretty basic, ffering an aftermarket A/C unit under the dash that still blows ice cold, tach strapped to the steering column, nd an AM/FM/CD stereo system hidden in the glove box. The upholstery is all new, o it looks fresh and is quite comfortable, nd yes, ode 2D Dark Red is this car's original interior choice. The details are excellent, ith just the right texture on the seats, lush carpets with matching embroidered mats, nd nicely finished door panels that look almost new. The back seat is untouched and the trunk is correctly outfitted with a plaid mat and spare tire with cover, nd you'll note that the battery has been relocated (we'll get to that in a moment).Under the hood you'll find a correct 289 cubic inch V8, hich was the base engine in the GT. However, ou'll quickly spot the big "doghouse" intake box over the 4-barrel carburetor, hich is part of the supercharger system that makes this small block feel a lot bigger out on the road. A Paxton Novi 2000 supercharger is a big step up from the ancient Paxtons used in the '60s but it's a nice link to tradition and works ever so much better. It's also got an upgraded intake manifold to handle the additional flow and long-tube headers and a Flowmaster dual exhaust system to give it an awesome V8 bark. Some polished aluminum pieces and Ford Blue paint look suitably hi-po and with the blower, he 3-speed automatic transmission is hardly a handicap, napping through the gears without hesitation. Out back, .79 gears make it a superlative highway cruiser and modern components in the A/C system mean this is a car you can drive coast-to-coast. Standard chrome GT wheels are part of the CS package and carry 205/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A radials all around.A very rare find with some very clever modifications, his California Special is faster and rarer than any Shelby and still costs less. Call today!