Story behind the GT/CS?
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The marketing theme for this limited edition was "California Made it Happen!", a variation on Mustang's national marketing theme and commercial jingle, "Only Mustang Makes it Happen!"
This was all in response to the new pony car competition for the upcoming 1968 model year from the Camaro, Firebird, Javelin, and even from Ford's Torino and Mercury Cougar. The state of California, alone, was responsible for the sales of 20% of all Mustangs and Thunderbirds in the country, which gave the regional dealers there the clout to ask for and market their own Mustang.
Lee Grey was the Southern California district sales manager for Ford and he was looking for something unique to spark the sales of Mustangs in Los Angeles. Ford dealers had tried promotions like the "1967 Rainbow Colored Mustangs", as well as by adding accessories and options to dress up cars for public view. The objective was to make the Mustangs sold in California unique and to look "custom" made, thus differentiating them from the standard models available elsewhere.
This was all in response to the new pony car competition for the upcoming 1968 model year from the Camaro, Firebird, Javelin, and even from Ford's Torino and Mercury Cougar. The state of California, alone, was responsible for the sales of 20% of all Mustangs and Thunderbirds in the country, which gave the regional dealers there the clout to ask for and market their own Mustang.
Lee Grey was the Southern California district sales manager for Ford and he was looking for something unique to spark the sales of Mustangs in Los Angeles. Ford dealers had tried promotions like the "1967 Rainbow Colored Mustangs", as well as by adding accessories and options to dress up cars for public view. The objective was to make the Mustangs sold in California unique and to look "custom" made, thus differentiating them from the standard models available elsewhere.
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From: new orleans
Pretty cool story!!! I was just curious! I really like the look of the gt/cs minus the decals. Would just be awakward i guess driving a cali ed car when im from louisiana! Idk maybe its just me!
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From: State of Jefferson Mountains USA
Weren't they Cougar taillights?
EDIT:
Fact or Myth? "The GT/CS used Cougar tail lights with sequential turn signals."
Myth: Although the GT/CS uses horizontal tail lights similar to the '67-68 Cougars, they are actually from the 1965 Thunderbird. These lenses, housings and chrome bezels were also used on 1968 Shelbys. And while the Cougars, Thunderbirds and Shelbys made use of the cool directional sequential turn signals, they were not part of the GT/CS package.
http://californiaspecial.com/1968-GTCS-facts.htm
EDIT:
Fact or Myth? "The GT/CS used Cougar tail lights with sequential turn signals."
Myth: Although the GT/CS uses horizontal tail lights similar to the '67-68 Cougars, they are actually from the 1965 Thunderbird. These lenses, housings and chrome bezels were also used on 1968 Shelbys. And while the Cougars, Thunderbirds and Shelbys made use of the cool directional sequential turn signals, they were not part of the GT/CS package.
http://californiaspecial.com/1968-GTCS-facts.htm
Last edited by cdynaco; Jun 11, 2012 at 03:48 PM.
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