I was shown a unrestored 1968 coupe project recently that has reinforced/wrap around shock towers but was a factory C code car. I thought they only came on big block cars? They looked original and the buck tag and vin stamps confirmed it was a C code MT car with a "c" side stripe but no code for it being a GT either. Just figured I'd ask if those types of shock towers also came on small block cars in 1968? Just curious for my general mustang knowledge.
No, its not just a "big block" thing. The "S" code GT500s don't normally have the wrap arounds
I have seen numerous 302 cars with the reinforcements
The late Jim Cowles told me he saw a car that had one reinforced tower and one standard.
Interestingly they were serviced both ways. The shock tower was originally serviced with the frame rail and two side aprons
Im not sure a "C" code could be a GT. I thought it had to be a 4v?
The reinforced shock towers came about in 1968 model year with the introduction of the 428CJ. Cars built after they were introduced were supposed to get them IF the car was optioned with the 428CJ engine.
The introduction date was around mid - March 1968.
That being said there were mistakes made. I have owned X code and S code 1968 model year cars that had the reinforced shock towers installed by mistake. Could it be a mistake on your car? Of course it could.
I am the owner of a 68 GT350 (J Code) convertible that has both the original reinforced shock towers.
Very interesting. From the few responses here it's not unheard of to have happened on some small block cars. Guess you learn something every day- thanks for the education!!
Not uncommon actually. I have seen many 1969-'70 cars with both and single tower reinforcements, and for some reasons mostly on 6 cylinder cars. Some even had the staggered shock plate installed also.