All GT/CS California Special Mustang VIN’s began with the vehicle identification number prefix “8R01”.
Here’s how the prefix is decoded:
8 = 1968
R = San Jose, California assembly plant
01 = Designates the Coupe ( hard top) body style.
The next digit in the VIN # is the engine code. All GT/CS cars could have been equipped with the following engine options:
T = 200 6 cylinder
C = 289 2V
J = 302 4V
X = 390 2V
S = 390 4V premium fuel
R = 428 4VCJ 4 bbl
GT/CS consecutive VIN numbers begin with unit #119,000 and ended with GT/CS and High Country Special (HCS) #172,000. Most GT/CS’s were produced randomly in the assembly line-up with other Mustangs and Cougars. The highest concentration of GT/CS production occurred between February 15-20, 1968. This was primarily due to a massive wholesale dealer event in Los Angeles, California. By July, 1968, all California Specials and High Country Special production had ended and was phased out.
