1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Convertible

This 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR is one of 518 convertibles produced for the model year, and it was assembled on June 27, 1968. It is said to have been refurbished prior to the owner’s 2018 acquisition, and the car is powered by a 428ci Cobra Jet V8 linked with a C6 automatic transmission and a Traction-Lok differential. The exterior is finished in red and features a white soft top, Shelby side stripes, a fiberglass twin-scoop hood, quarter-panel scoops, and a decklid spoiler, while the cabin is outfitted with wood grain trim, a center console, an AM radio, and black vinyl upholstery. Equipment includes reproduction 10-spoke wheels, Goodyear tires, power steering, and front disc brakes.

The Shelby GT500 model debuted for 1967, and the “King of the Road” variant was unveiled in April 1968. The GT500KR convertible featured a standard roll bar as well as grille-mounted Lucas fog lights, a fiberglass hood with functional ram-air scoops, quarter-panel scoops, a deck-lid spoiler, and Thunderbird-sourced taillights with sequential turn signals.

The car left the factory finished in Lime Gold with a white soft top, and the exterior was refinished some time ago in the current shade of red. The exterior trim and moldings are said to have been replaced under prior ownership. Close-up photos of the paint, trim, and imperfections are provided.

Reproduction 10-spoke 15″ wheels wear Shelby Cobra center caps and are mounted with Goodyear Speedway tires. The car is equipped with power steering, and stopping is provided by power-assisted front discs and rear drums.

The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench upholstered in black vinyl, and a Shelby snake logo is debossed on the armrest. Woodgrain trim accents the dashboard, console, and doors, and appointments include an AM radio, a worn floor shifter, and Shelby Automotive sill plates. An aftermarket convertible top switch was installed.

The steering wheel features woodgrain trim and frames a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, an analog clock, and readouts for fuel level and coolant temperature. Stewart-Warner readouts for oil pressure and amperage are mounted in the center stack. The five-digit odometer shows 21k miles, approximately 500 of which were added. The mileage is not accurate, and the total mileage is unknown

The 428ci Cobra Jet V8 was factory equipped with a four-barrel Holley carburetor and was rated at 335 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque.

It is reported that the C6 automatic transmission was overhauled and a replacement Traction-Lok differential was installed.