A production number, 250, for the '68 model had finally surfaced, making the '68s the lowest production High Country Specials offered. However, Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works recently told Teets that his database indicates 251 High Country Specials were produced in 1968.
Of the 4,025 '68 California Specials produced, 251 were designated as High Country Specials and were produced on 12 different days in June and July 1968, with June 8th as the first day of production. In a widely publicized event, the High Country Specials were loaded on a 23-car train, touted as the "largest special shipment of new automobiles ever received in Denver." The High Country Special was offered at the "sneak preview" at CDR, driven off the dealership lots, and rarely seen again. Some even resurfaced as incorrectly striped California Specials.
Ski Country Special
While information in the High Country Special registry continues to grow, Teets is also interested in sightings of the even more elusive Ski Country Specials produced in 1967. Available for the Mustang, Galaxie, Fairlane, and Country Sedan, the Ski Country Specials came with ski racks, snow tires, Equa-lock rear axle, coffee bar, and Ski Country Special badges featuring skis, poles, and snowflakes with "Ford Ski Country Special." Five special promotional colors were offered: Aspen Red, Loveland Green, Vail Blue, Breckenridge Yellow, and Winter Park Turquoise.
Teets currently has only three Ski Country Special Mustangs in the registry and would appreciate hearing from anyone who's seen one.
If you would like more information on the High Country Special or have information to add to the registry, contact Bob Teets at: High Country Special Registry, 6874 Benton Ct., Arvada, CO 80003; 303/424-3866.
| SPECIAL PAINT NUMBERS |
| | Promotional Name | Ford No. | DuPont No. |
| 1966 |
| High Country | Aspen Gold | MX 708815 | 93-96705 |
| Specials | Timberline Green | MX 7041278 | 76358-H |
| | Columbine Blue | MX 700852 | 75757 |
| 1967 |
| High Country | Aspen Gold | MX 708815 | 93-96705 |
| Specials | Timberline Green | MX 7041537 | 93-83789 |
| | Columbine Blue | MX 700852 | 75757 |
| 1967 |
| Ski Country | Aspen Red | MX 707587 | 2721H 93-83001H |
| Special | Loveland Green | MX 7041959 | 4209 181-95020 |
| | Vail Blue | MX 7001065 | 4690L 181-97344 |
| | Breckenridge Yellow | MX 7081104 | 4711L 93-97845H |
| | Winter Park Turquoise | MX 700108 | 4495L 93-96938 |
Especially Blue
While shopping for an early Mustang, Dave Spry of Estes Park, Colorado, located a '66 convertible in Denver on a Web site. Only after talking with the owner did Dave discover the Columbine Blue convertible was a genuine High Country Special. Dave told us, "I had heard about the High Country Specials, but I had no idea the convertible was such a low-production car. The number of High Country Special convertibles produced in 1966 is estimated to be 'around 30,' according to Bob Teets with the High Country Special Registry."