1968 Ford Mustang GT convertible

"LFS GOOD" reads the license plate. Yes, life is good when you own a Mustang GT convertible, well-optioned with a center-console and fog lamps. This car has the 289 V-8. Late in the model year the 289 was replaced with the 302. The 302 was made all way up to December, 2000.

Hmm... I think this is not an authentic GT. I think it's a regular Mustang with GT wheels.

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1966 Ford Mustang straight 6

You rarely have to drive more than a few blocks in Seattle to spot a first-generation Mustang that's never been restored, but is still in excellent condition.

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1968 Ford Mustang convertible

This car is distinctive in that it appears to have nearly every factory option. V-8 with dual exhaust, center console, fog lamps, wire wheel covers, pop-open gas cap, luggage rack. Have you ever seen anyone actually use one of these luggage racks?

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1965 Ford Mustang GT

This superb Mustang has nearly every option, including air conditioning.

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1973 Ford Mustang

Seattle, Washington. The kind of city where you can spot three 1973 Mustangs in just a few minutes. Start from lower Queen Anne to see this one, then check out this Mach 1 in Magnolia, then head up to Greenlake to spot this very Mad Max '73.

This Mustang has the "Grande" package, which means a vinyl roof, deluxe interior and better sound insulation.

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1966 Ford Mustang fastback

This car has the "Pony" interior option - little horses etched into the seat backs. The headrests are not original. 1968 was the last year cars could be sold with low-back seats.

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1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 - 428 Cobra Jet

Ford came late to the muscle car game. While Pontiac GTOs and and Plymouth Satellites with big block engines were tearing up the streets in the mid 60s, Ford's only comparable models were the Fairlane and the Mustang. But few Fairlanes were sold with Ford's 390 c.i. V-8, and the Mustang was based on the old lightweight Falcon chassis and was not really a suitable platform for a performance car.

The 1969 Mustang was a bigger car with serious muscle options. The Mach 1 package made the Mustang a contender on the drag track, while the Boss 429 was engineered for NASCAR.

 

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1966 Ford Mustang convertible

Ah, the miracle of west coast living. You can drive a car and park it outdoors for decades and it still looks great. The original owner of this Mustang ordered automatic transmission and the center console, but was content with the straight-6 motor. Here's another pristine '66 Mustang photographed nearby.

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1967 Ford Mustang convertible

While not a particularly expensive car, the old Mustangs are survivors. I'm not sure that his car has its original paint, but it doesn't appear to have had any major work done in 51 years. Even those RFK in '68 bumper stickers appear original. If only Bobby were still with us.

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1966 Ford Mustang

This 66 Mustang is exceptional. From a distance it appears to be fully restored. but upon closer inspection, it's all original. It's powered by a 289 v8 with dual exhaust. That color is called Sauterne Gold. It's unusual to see a Mustang with spinner wheel covers parked on the street. Those wheel covers are quite valuable.

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1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Rare 1973 Mach 1 Mustang. Note that this car has the Ram Air hood, but it does not have a functioning Ram Air system. The scoops are decorations only, a casualty of increasing emissions standards.

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1973 Ford Mustang

1973 was the last year for the classic Mustang. The gas crisis and high insurance rates meant that America was switching from muscle cars to econoboxes. Ford sold 3 times as many copies of the 1974 Mustang II compared to the 1973. Which is really pretty sad, considering that the Mustang II was really a Pinto.

Coincidentally, this car's Wisconsin registration expires today: 10/31/16, Halloween. So many questions. This car looks like a prospect for a Mad Max movie. Did the owner drive really drive it from Wisconsin to Seattle in this condition? It looks like it's been driven through a fire and parked in the ocean. It's stuffed from floor to headliner with junk. Are they just keeping it as a storage locker?

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1968 Ford Mustang

Two million Mustangs were produced between 1964 and 1968. They are a piece of cake to keep running, and trashing them just makes them look cooler. For those who love neck injuries, 1968 was the last year you could buy a car with low-back bucket seats. '68 was also the year Ford introduced the 302 engine which remained in production until the 2001 model year.

This 289 V-8 with dual exhaust seems to get plenty of drive time. It's parked in a different spot in the U District every time I see it.

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