Video: Ultra-Rare Cobra Jet-Powered 1968 1/2 Mustang GT Fastback
As desirable as is is, only about 1,000 were produced. Few survive today – and even fewer look as good as this.
Lou Costabile is a YouTuber who loves cars as much as we do. His channel, “My Car Story,” chronicles the stories of people and the cars they love. On this installment, he travels to Iola, Wisconsin to meet up with Gene Leopold and his 1968 ½ Ford Mustang GT.
For many, the 1967-1968 fastback is the quintessential Mustang shape. This one is extra special, though – beneath its beautiful Brittany Blue paint, you’ll find a powerful 428 Cobra Jet engine. Naturally, that monster motor is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission.
Leopold purchased the car in 2010, and started on a lengthy restoration. That restoration included hard-to-find goodies like correct date-coded wheels and even a date-coded starter. For a car as special as this, though, it was well worth going the extra mile on a restoration.
A 335 Horsepower Museum Piece
The car has only traveled about 300 miles since its painstaking restoration, which was completed roughly seven years ago. From the video, it’s clear that this rare Mustang is just as much a car as it is a work of art.
As one might imagine, tracing down all of the correct date-coded parts for this car could have proved to be a problem for most enthusiasts. However, Leopold’s career as a parts manager at Ford granted him the insight and research skills needed to see the restoration through to the finish.
Many folks are familiar with the “1964 1/2” moniker attached to the earliest production Mustangs. However, the midyear designation of this “1968 1/2” Mustang GT might leave some scratching their heads. There’s a very good reason for it, though. Production on the Cobra Jet-powered GT fastbacks started in April of 1968, and lasted just four short months. Only about 1,000 were produced. That makes this one rare machine indeed.
Despite the fire-breathing nature of the (rumored to be underrated) 335 horsepower Cobra Jet engine, the idle is as smooth as can be. While we wouldn’t mind cruising in this Mustang every weekend, we can’t blame Leopold for wanting to preserve it for future generations.
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