The ’68 Coupe is a J-code,...
The ’68 Coupe is a J-code, minus its 302 drivetrain. However, this car did have its full suspension. The body is solid, but the floorpans are rusty.
Mustang fastbacks don’t grow on trees. Or do they? Paul Scott was “in shock” as he peered through the thick undergrowth on wild, rural land west of Tyler, Texas.
“The more I looked, the more I could see,” Paul said in reference to the ’67-’68 Mustang fastbacks, ’65-’66 coupes, a pair of Mustangs IIs, a couple of Mercury Cougars, and more. It was a wonderland of Ford collector cars peppered among the trees like fruit ripe for the picking.
A member of Mustangs of East Texas, Paul heard about this Rare Find through a club member, Jim Ellis. “Jim knew that my dad and I were looking for a ’67 or ’68 fastback,” Paul explains.
Among the classic Mustangs was at least one ’67 and one ’68 in the fastback body style. Unfortunately, Paul learned that the cars were not for sale, at least at first. Patience proved the virtue that netted classic Mustang gold. Two people owned the cars. One of the owners had passed away and the son inherited four of the cars on the land. He needed money and decided to sell. Paul’s dad, Art, managed to buy four Mustangs—a ’67 fastback, ’67 coupe, ’68 fastback, and ’68 coupe.
“Dad gave me the ’67 fastback so I could have a Mustang project of my own,” Paul says. The ’67 was his dream find. Although the drivetrain and suspension were gone, the VIN revealed that the car was originally equipped with an S-code 390 and manual transmission.
The ’68 fastback is now Art’s project. Also gutted with no suspension or drivetrain, this classic was originally a 289-2V car. The floorpans were rusted out, but the body was solid.
Whoever dumped these cars in the woods in the late 1970s to early 1980s set the bodies on top of old wheels and tires. The ’67 fastback served as the corner of a goat pen.

This Mach 1, vintage ’71 or...

This Mach 1, vintage ’71 or ’72, was not for sale. Where are these cars? Paul said, “You turn down this road to get to that road.”

Paul claimed the blue ’67...

Paul claimed the blue ’67 fastback, visible here on the right with its front end on the ground. The ’68 fastback is on the left.

Freeing the four Mustangs...

Freeing the four Mustangs took “most of the day.” Paul, his father, a friend, and two club members pulled five trailers to the woods, using the property owner’s tractor and a friend’s heavy-duty winch to help with the job.