ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: mustangdick on March 05, 2020, 08:39:48 PM

Title: kick panels
Post by: mustangdick on March 05, 2020, 08:39:48 PM
I am the original and only owner of my 1968 GT fastback. The original kick panels each have a pattern of holes punched in them. I have never seen original kick panels with this hole pattern and have no idea of their purpose. I don't believe they are for speakers as there is limited room between the kick panels and the unibody structure. Would like to know if anyone else has seen original kick panels with these holes, and, knows their purpose.
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: 67gta289 on March 05, 2020, 09:06:37 PM
Welcome to the site.

I for one have never seen this before.  The alignment is perfect, hard to imagine it being done by hand one hole at a time.

To clarify, you picked the car up new at a Ford dealer, right?  Was it off the lot or did you order it that way?
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: ruppstang on March 05, 2020, 09:52:18 PM
I have had cars that had one or both of this style. IMHO they are a Cougar part. Please post the part numbers and I think we can solve this.
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: krelboyne on March 05, 2020, 10:22:04 PM
X2 definitely 1967-8 Cougar.
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: J_Speegle on March 05, 2020, 10:35:47 PM
I am the original and only owner of my 1968 GT fastback. The original kick panels each have a pattern of holes punched in them. I have never seen original kick panels with this hole pattern and have no idea of their purpose. I don't believe they are for speakers as there is limited room between the kick panels and the unibody structure. ..

Yep Cougars you could get that option (with audio option) and it would include an enclosure for the speaker in the A pillar/side of cowl

Would guess those are difficult to find if you needed them
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: 67gta289 on March 06, 2020, 06:11:56 AM
The third picture has both a C7ZB and C7WB part number, so the basic molded part is the same.
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: 67gtasanjose on March 06, 2020, 07:29:33 AM
FWIW, and Scott, correct me if I am wrong but these are VERY commonly found on Cougars, WITH or WITHOUT a factory AM/8-track or 68 Stereo option. I seem to recall seeing them on most, if not all 67-68 Cougars (though I have seen more 68's than 67's)
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: RoyceP on March 06, 2020, 09:46:31 AM
True, they were used on all 67 - 68 Cougars in the various plastic colors to match interior color. A nice set like that is pretty desirable. Any cracks and the value drops to zero.


FWIW, and Scott, correct me if I am wrong but these are VERY commonly found on Cougars, WITH or WITHOUT a factory AM/8-track or 68 Stereo option. I seem to recall seeing them on most, if not all 67-68 Cougars (though I have seen more 68's than 67's)
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: mustangdick on March 06, 2020, 11:06:08 AM
Thanks! Mystery seems to be solved; they are a Cougar part which seems to somehow to have found its way on to my Mustang. Probably due to assembly line shortage. There are several other oddities on my car probably also due to assembly line shortages; standard interior with a delux (woodgrain) steering wheel, and a type of GT fog light switch that I have never seen on another factory GT.

And, yes, my car was purchased new from a local dealer's lot.

On another subject, does anyone know what the correct radio speaker grilles for a 1968 with AM/FM stereo and standard interior? I have seen pictures of cars with this combination using the deluxe interior full length lower door grilles, but don't know if factory correct.
Title: Re: kick panels
Post by: ruppstang on March 06, 2020, 10:34:05 PM
Thanks! Mystery seems to be solved; they are a Cougar part which seems to somehow to have found its way on to my Mustang. Probably due to assembly line shortage. There are several other oddities on my car probably also due to assembly line shortages; standard interior with a delux (woodgrain) steering wheel, and a type of GT fog light switch that I have never seen on another factory GT.

And, yes, my car was purchased new from a local dealer's lot.

On another subject, does anyone know what the correct radio speaker grilles for a 1968 with AM/FM stereo and standard interior? I have seen pictures of cars with this combination using the deluxe interior full length lower door grilles, but don't know if factory correct.

Yes they got the deluxe lower grill.