Quite clearly that the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang was one of the most successfully advertised and promoted introductions in automotive history. Much of this was due to the car itself of course, but Ford's marketing team didn't just let those popular pony cars sell themselves. They worked hard to keep the public interested in the hot new sports car that we now know as the Classic Mustang.

And so, only weeks after it's debut on April 17, 1964 the marketing team already had it's first special edition Mustang promotion. The Mustang was selected to be the pace car at the 1964 Indianapolis 500. Ford took full advantage of this prestigious honor to not only publicize the new Mustang, but also to create a special edition Pace Car replica.

The official Pace Cars were all covertibles and Ford provided 3 for actual race duty. Another 35 convertibles were used for parade vehicles. Although the 35 were all painted Wimbledon White and came with V8's, they weren't otherwise specially prepared cars like the 3 actual pace cars. They also created another 200 replica Pace Cars. These replicas were coupes rather than convertibles and were given away to top selling Ford dealers in a special sales competition. Lee Iacooca handed over the keys himself.

Special Features:

The 1964½ Indianapolis 500 Pace cars were all identically equipped with a 260-2bbl V8 engine, C4 automatic transmission and 3.00:1 ratio differential gears. They were all painted the same; Pace Car White with a triple blue stripe centered and running from front of the hood all the way back to the trunk lid. The sides were festooned with decals reading, "Official INDIANAPOLIS "500" PACE CAR" with a large gold "MUSTANG" on the door below a smaller "FORD" script in blue.

All had the following identical options: Power Steering, Rear Backup Lights, Spinnerless Wheel Covers, Side View Mirrors deleted, AM Radio and white interior with blue trim.

Identification:

Look for the letter C on the door data tag indicating the special Pace Car White paint.  Some restorations have revealed the words "PACE CAR" written in grease pencil under the paint of the radiator support.

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This was one special edition classic Mustang that extended beyond just Mustangs to include the 1970 Torino Cobra and Ranchero as well. Like other regional specials in the Mustang past, the Twister Special one was limited to one DSO, which was Kansas (DSO 53). There were 96 Mustang Twisters made in 1970, all Mach 1's with consecutively numbered VIN's built at the Dearborn Ford plant. The cars were identically equipped except for the engine/transmission combos. Half of the 96 produced got the new 351C-4V (Cleveland) and half the 428 SCJ (Super Cobra Jet). Both 4 speed manual and C6 automatics were used. All were clad in Grabber Orange paint with a "Twister Special" tornado decal on the rear quarter panels (see photos below)

But the Twister Specials did more than just look the part. Unlike many regional specials that were just paint and badges, the Twisters were built for performance. The suspension was beefed up with the competition suspension and drag pack packages plus F70x14 polyglass tires. Front power disc brakes helped keep the healthy engines in check. And if the bright orange paint with black accents didn't clue you in to it's performance the shaker hood scoop would leave little doubt that this was a true Muscle Car.

Identification: The 1970 Mustang Twisters were all Mach 1's and had VIN's starting with 0F05M118xxx or 0F05R118xxx (M = 351-4V and R = 428 SCJ)

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Perhaps one of the best known of the limited edition classic Mustangs is the 1968 California Special, or GT/CS. Most Mustang veterans and even casual enthusiasts have heard of it, yet false info and rumor still abound on the net.

The California Special roots started with "Little Red", a hand built experimental Shelby coupe. Shelby's were only offered in fastbacks and convertibles, but there was enough interest in expanding to the coupe body style that a prototype was mocked up. Although the Shelby coupe idea was ultimately scrapped, the groundwork was laid for the California Special. Borrowing heavily from the Shelby parts bins, the GT/CS was the most elaborate special edition Mustang yet, going way beyond the typical fender badge or special paint.

The GT/CS was unveiled at a Ford dealer party at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The advertising tag-line was "California Made it Happen" although in truth the GT/CS was sent to sales districts beyond just California. Kansas City, Dallas, L.A., San Jose, Salt Lake, Seattle, Phoenix and Canada were all eligible DSO's to sell this limited edition pony. (A Denver DSO (51) made it a High Country Special)

What made the 1968 California Special more significant then any other limited edition Mustang to date was the extent of the factory modifications. Borrowing from Shelby parts, the entire look of the car was changed making it into something immediately recognizable as a special Mustang.

The front end featured factory fog lights set in a blacked out grille. The fogs were originally Marchals and then Lucas after a CA recall. The hood featured integral turn signals and factory twist style hood locks, the same as used on the 1968 Shelby. Starting at the front headlight buckets a unique triple side stripe ran down the length of the car, terminating just past the simulated side scoops. On the scoops, cut into the tape stripe was the GT/CS insignia. These scoops are very similar to the Shelby models, but unique to the GT/CS because they were non-functional. Continuing past the stripes to the rear quarter panels you find "California Special" in a chrome trim script font.

The tail end is where the Shelby influence is unmistakable. The fiberglass trunk lid has an integral "duck tail" spoiler with matching fiberglass quarter panel extensions. These are direct Shelby part numbers. As are the wide, horizontal taillights and fiberglass taillight panel. Although many think so, these wide tail lights are not sequential like you would find on Cougars or T-birds. On the deck lid is the "Mustang" script typically found on standard Mustang front fenders. The tape stripe continues along the rear edge of the trunk spoiler and turns down the quarter panel extensions. Topping everything off is a unique pop-off gas cap with the running horse in the center.

Ford advertising description of the GT/CS from one of it's brochures:

GT/CS California Special Mustang. Limited edition. Inspiration by Shelby GT. But priced like a Mustang. Look at all the special equipment that's standard.

Blackout grille. rectangular fog lamps. Functional louvered hood with integral turn signals. Shelby-style rear end - a sassy spoiler, full-edge striping. Wide horizontal taillights. Pop-open gas cap. On the sides, simulated air scoops with "GT/CS" insignia. Special stripes. Naturally, GT/CS includes every other standard that's made Mustang famous. Bucket seats. Leather-smooth vinyl trim. Carpeting. Floor shift. And many more.

Best of all, you can "customize" a GT/CS into your own one-of-a-kind Mustang. It's done with Mustang's wide array of options. Make it posh. Sporty. Out of this world. Decorate it. Automate it. Some tempting options shown below. More where those came from. California made it happen! Make Mustang GT/CS happen to you now at your Ford Dealer's!

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Yet another regional special, the Cardinal Edition (or Cardinal Special) was released to help spur sales in the North Carolina and Virginia markets.  What made this "special" special was primarily the Candy Apple Red paint and the unique diamond shaped emblem on the B pillar featuring a Cardinal head. Black C stripes were also included, creating a color scheme to match the Cardinal; state bird of Virginia.

This was a dealer created package, so these Mustangs didn't roll off the assembly line as Cardinal Specials. They arrived at the dealer in Candy Apple Red and the dealer then applied the emblem and marketed it. See the dealer's newspaper ad below for the other features of this classic Mustang. (Dig that crazy grammar of those 60's advertising execs at Ford!)

A vintage newspaper ad from March 22nd, 1968 reads:

"Look what you get in our specially priced Cardinal Edition Mustang. 200-cu. in. six, special emblems, flip open chromed gas cap, black interior, GT stripe, wheel lip moldings, special paint, wheel covers.

Limited number specially built for N.C. and VA only. First come, first save at your Ford Dealer's now!

As a starter, we took America's No. 1 sports car (the one that's also No. 1 in resale value) We added all the extra goodies listed the in the picture. And you can have it even jazzier than that via a long, long list of options we're offering. All this and a very special low price, too! Hurry...they won't last long!"

Although not listed in the dealer ad, several Cardinal Specials also have round fog light and a few have been said to have V8 engines instead of the 200 cid T-code six cylinder listed. As with most dealer specials it's hard to determine exactly what rolled off the lot. If a customer came in and said he wanted a Cardinal Special, but with a V8 the salesman probably didn't hesitate to slap some CS emblems on a non-six cylinder car.

Since this was a dealer created package, there aren't any special DSO's or paint codes like other factory specials. The DSO would be 25, which would have been shared by any Mustang destined for the Richmond, VA area. Likewise, the Candyapple Red color was a stock Mustang color in 1968. Even a Marti report won't prove a real Cardinal Special since it was a package created at the dealership.

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Limited edition Mustangs were never more plentiful than in 1967-68. Between factory created regional specials and dealer created oddities, the Mustang buyer of the late 60's had some interesting choices.

The 1968 Gold Nugget Special (also called Golden Nugget) was primarily a special paint color; Sunlit Gold with a black vinyl roof, black-out hood and black striping. The paint code was Y5 and the DSO is 74-1111, indicating Seattle and then 1111 for special order. There's rumor that these Gold Nugget Specials could also be painted other colors, as indicated by the window sticker below showing Corporate Yellow. However, this particular window sticker is a reproduction, not an original, so the facts aren't 100% conclusive on the issue of custom special paint. Note the newspaper ad below also talks about a dash plaque with the customer's name. Talk about a one-off Mustang!

A newspaper ad for the Gold Nugget Special reads as follows:

Only 525 people in the Northwest will be driving this Golden Nugget Mustang...a special edition of America's original sports car...at no extra cost!

Exclusive for this area only! Specially ordered, specially painted Mustangs, each with a golden plaque for the dash panel bearing the customer's name. Sunlit Gold color, with black vinyl top, black hood panels, black stripe, whitewalls, wheel covers. Plus all the better ideas that make Mustang America's favorite, most imitated sports car. More Mustang than ever for '68"

Although the vintage ad states 525 were built, subsequent research by Marti Auto Works shows 481 according to Ford build records.

Identification: Like many of the special paint Specials, the 6 digit DSO is the key to identifying a Gold Nugget Special. Look for DSO of 74-1111 (74 = Seattle DSO and 1111 = special order) Production dates have also been narrowed down to Jan - Feb of 1968.

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Not all of the special edition Mustangs came from the factory. Sometimes the dealerships took matters into their own hands and came up with some pretty unusual ponies.  Take Mainway Ford in Toronto Canada for instance. They created the Mustang "Stallion" as a high performance muscle car obviously catered to the young male buyer. These classic Mustangs were fastbacks only, and highly optioned ones at that. Under the hood was either a K-code hipo 289 or the new for '67 big block S-code 390 GT engine. Transmission choices were the 4 speed manual or C6 automatic transmission. Also included on the Stallion were the heavy duty suspension package, power disc brakes, tach, posi-traction rear, styled steel wheels, upgraded Deluxe interior (including special woven seat covers) and special metallic paint.

But wait, there's more! The most striking feature (in a good way or bad, you decide) was the pair of Cougar rear tail lights. The wide horizontal tail lights weren't exactly ground breaking, being previously seen on the Shelby and later on the California Specials, but the vertical ribs of the Cougar tail light housings mated to the aggressive Mustang fastback rear lines definitely gave a new look. To draw even more attention to the rear end, it was blacked out and a "STALLION" badge was attached to the center above the gas cap, which was also custom and featured a rearing horse engraving.

Continuing with the "blackout" treatment a unique black vinyl trim was added along both sides, basically following the long trailing swoop of the fastback shape. The factory simulated side scoop pieces were also chromed to finish off the exterior look.

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1967 was a big year for limited edition Mustangs. Ford was riding the wave of success coming off the record setting sales of the 1965-1966 Mustang and individual sales districts wanted to keep that momentum going. Like the High Country Special and Ski Country Special created for the Denver sales district, the state of Texas didn't want to be outdone and created their own unique classic Mustang.

So started the Lone Star Limited. A total of 175 '67 Mustang Coupes were sent to the Dallas area Ford dealerships. They had special paint (Bluebonnet Blue to match the state flower), blue standard interiors and brass fender emblems featuring the Mustang running horse inside the shape of Texas. The Lone Star Limiteds also wore all the elements of the Sports Sprint package, including chrome rocker panel molding, wheel covers, chrome air cleaner, louvered turn signal hood (a feature made standard the next year on all 1968 Mustangs) vinyl covered automatic shifter handle and F70-14 wide oval tires.

Identification: Like the High Country Specials and Ski Country Specials, the special paint helps verify these cars today. Look for a 6 digit DSO (615160) on the door data plate. The first 2 digits will be 61 for Dallas DSO and the next 4 digits indicate the special order paint (5160)

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Hot off the heels of the 1966 High Country Special, the Denver Sales District was eager to release another classic Mustang limited edition just for the Colorado market. Unlike the HCS package, which was only offered on the Mustang, the Ski Country Special could be had on the Galaxie, Fairlane, Ford Country Sedan and Mustang coupe and fastback (no convertibles). The Ski Country Special package consisted of special paint, a fender emblem and a few other items catering to the snowy high country. Paint colors were unique to this package and named after local ski resorts; Vail Blue, Winter Park Turquoise, Aspen Red, Breckenridge Yellow and Loveland Green.

The Ski Country Special Registry is run by Bob Teets who has about a dozen cars registered. Bob and Kevin Marti have confirmed total production of 198 cars, with the majority being coupes and very few fastbacks.

Here's a quote from a newspaper ad run in the 1967 Rocky Mountain News,

"Now! Specially equipped Ski Country Fords - Five Ski Country Specials now at your Ford Dealer's. Galaxie, Mustang and Fairlane hardtops, Mustang Fastback and Ford Country Sedan. Five special colors. Specially equipped with ski racks, snow tires, equa-lock rear axle, coffee bar and medallions."

Identification: Basically the key elements of this special package are the paint color and fender badges. Of course with a 40+ year old car it's very likely it's been repainted, which in one step probably eliminated the tell-tale original special color paint and the emblems. Like many special edition Mustangs there was nothing special about the VIN that proves it's heritage. They came down the assembly line just like every other Mustang. The final touches were either added just off the assembly line or by the dealer upon delivery.

Luckily the special paint does leave a trail. The DSO (see the door data plate) on Ski Country Specials will be a 6 digit number instead of the normal 2 digits. The first 2 digits will be "51" designating the Denver sales district. The next 4 digits are the key and indicate it was a special order, in this case special paint. Both the 1967 Ski Country Specials and 1666-1967 High Country Specials will have this unique 6 digit DSO.

Following are the Dupont Paint numbers that correspond to the original 5 special colors:

Aspen Red = 2721H 93-83001H
Loveland Green = 4209 181-95020
Vail Blue = 4690L 181-97344
Brekenridge Yellow = 4711L 93-97845H
Winter Park Turquoise = 4495L 93-96938

===== UPDATE August 2010 ====

Rowland Smith was kind enough to send in these great photos of his 1967 Ski Country Special (see red car with black stripes above). If anyone else has photos they'd like to share please email me: webmaster@allstangs.com

Here's the description from Rowland:

The stripes were added by someone on mine.  As far as I can tell, everything else is original except the carb which is a '72. This thing is in such immaculate shape and I have the original invoice, warranty cards, registrations, ski flag, emblem, ski racks and even some notebook pages where the salesman was taking notes and adding up the accessory package. Mustang Monthly will be doing a feature on it next year after the restore and clean-up.

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