The History of the Fender Competition Mustang (1968-1972)

The Fender Competition Mustang 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972

In my opinion, the competition mustang is Fender’s coolest creation from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. They came at a time where muscle car culture was very popular especially among teenagers and young adults. The Ford Mustangs and other muscle cars  from around this time often sport racing stripes. Similar to the classic cars of this era, every Fender Mustang guitar made from 1968 to 1971 has racing stripes. This move made a lot of sense for Fender since the Mustang was intended to be marketed towards the youth, and younger people learning to play guitar.

These were released in three colors: Competition Burgundy, Competition Red, and Competition Orange. Due to an error by Fender, the color in the catalog read competition burgundy, but they were really competition blue. The blue mustangs with racing stripes and matching blue headstock are especially desirable today due to their association with Kurt Cobain of Nirvana who played one in the Smells Like Teen Spirit Music Video. The red mustangs are the most common, followed by the blue ones. The orange ones are by far the most rare, and incredibly hard to find. 

I am looking to buy all colors and variations of the Fender Competition Mustang made from 1968 to 1971. Have one you are interested in selling or need an appraisal on? Contact me.

Fender Competition Mustang Feature Timeline

Although they were generally similar, these saw a few different features over the years:

• Early 1968
  • Extremely rare, competition stripes wrap all the way around the body
  • Double line Klusons with oval plastic tuner buttons
  • Matching headstock 
• Late 1968 to mid 1969
  • Stripe changed from wrapping around the body to only being on the front
• Mid 1969 to early 1971
  • Tuners changed from double line Klusons to f stamped tuners with squared oval tuner buttons made by Schaller
•  Early 1971 to when discontinued
  • Headstock natural finished instead of matching with body

I have owned mustangs with almost all of these specs, I am searching for all colors but especially one with the stripes that go fully around the body! If you have one I would love to see it, and would be happy to appraise it or make a no obligation offer. Contact me.

Fender Competition Mustangs I’ve Owned

My first vintage guitar when I was 13 years old was a 1971 Fender Competition Mustang which I still have! Others have come and gone, but this one will likely never be sold.

I bought this stunning 1970 Competition Burgundy/Blue Fender Mustang in the summer of 2022 in Connecticut. I am always driving to Connecticut to buy vintage guitars, if you have something you are looking to sell please contact me! The previous owner told me he had purchased it at a flea market for just $125! It's always amazing to hear those kinds of deals are still out there, but it's safe to say I paid him much more than that. This example is all original except for the tuners were replaced with Schallers in the 70’s and an extra strap button. Apart from the small modifications, it remains in incredibly clean condition. 

This August I bought this early 1969 Competition Orange Fender Mustang from the family of the previous owner who had it for over 40 years in New Jersey. I am always happy to travel to New Jersey to buy old guitars. Have one you are looking to part with or wondering what is my vintage guitar worth? Contact me. It was quite crusty, but I was thrilled to find it was in all original condition. The electronics were not working when I bought it. These 3 way switches are notorious for being unreliable. I was very happy that the electronics started working after using some contact cleaner so it can remain all original. It is such an incredible guitar, I will have a very hard time parting with this one.

I purchased this early 1969 Competition Red Fender Mustang with some cool Sonic Youth style mods down in Knoxville, Tennessee this summer. I was heading back home after being in Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama for a few days but when I saw this Mustang pop up I knew I had to make a detour.

Have a Fender guitar from the 1960's or early 70's you are looking to sell? Get in touch