As much as we all love high-powered muscle cars with flashy paint colors, big-block engines, close-ratio manual transmissions, and limited-slip rear ends, there is something charming about a simple, economy-oriented base model in a subdued color palette. Featured on AutoHunter is a car that was ordered using a value-focused formula: a 1968 Ford Mustang Hardtop offered by a dealer in Gladstone, Oregon. The auction for the car will end on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11:45 a.m. MST.
Finished in Lime Gold, this pony car is an unassuming coupe with a no-frills look, right down to its steel 14-inch wheels with covers. The data plate reveals some of the details for the build: The car was manufactured on September 8, 1967, and originated in the Seattle district sales office – not far from where it’s currently listed for sale.
The first-generation Mustang swiftly became a cultural icon when it launched in the mid-1960s. With its sporty styling characterized by a long hood and a short deck, it appealed to youth, which contributed to Ford selling over a million units within its first two years. For model year 1968, the Mustang got some new equipment like a wider grille, side markers, and an energy-absorbing steering column.
Power for this pony car comes from a relatively miserly 200ci inline-six that was rated at 115 horsepower, and the transmission is a C4 SelectShift three-speed automatic. Considering the late 1960s and the early 1970s were a time of horsepower wars during the peak muscle car era, a small inline-six didn’t get anyone’s heartbeat up.
But perhaps this car survived all these years in such nice shape because of its drivetrain. After all, high-performance cars were more likely to be driven hard and modified, whereas basic coupes were driven with restraint. We see the same thing with late-model cars. As someone who closely follows the marketplace for 1980s and 1990s Honda and Acura cars, I typically see the low-trim automatics are in unmodified, original shape.
No matter how or why this Lime Gold Mustang survived, we’re glad it did, and the selling dealer is ready to help it find a new home. Just try to resist the urge to modify or upgrade it!
The auction for this 1969 Ford Mustang Hardtop ends on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11:45 a.m. MST.
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery