1968 Shelby GT500 Convertible Chassis no. 8T03S116045-00187

1968 Shelby GT500 Convertible
Chassis no. 8T03S116045-00187

428ci 'Cobra Jet' OHV V8 Engine
Single Holley 4-Barrel Carburetor
335bhp at 5,600rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
Front Independent Suspension, Rear Live Axle
Front Disc, Rear Drum Power Brakes

* Ford's luxurious, big block powered ultimate Mustang
* Candy Apple Red over black vinyl interior and black top
* Equipped from new with power steering, power brakes, and extra cooling package
* Showing just 82,804 miles, believed to be original
* Accompanied with owner's manual and Marti Report
* Shelby 10-Spoke wheels and Lucas fog lamps

THE SHELBY MUSTANG

Ford created a new class of car almost overnight with the introduction of the Mustang sports coupé part way through the 1964 season, catching the rest of the US auto industry off guard. Brainchild of Lee Iacocca - subsequent savior of the Chrysler Corporation – the Mustang is one of the most remarkable automotive success stories of modern times and arguably the pinnacle of his long career with Ford. Aimed at the affluent young, for whom a car was as much a lifestyle statement as means of transport, the Mustang succeeded brilliantly, achieving sales in excess of a quarter million by the end of '64. This remarkable debut was followed by a staggering 524,791 sales in 1965, earning Ford a fortune.

Legendary Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby's team had been campaigning Ford's Mustang 'pony car' with considerable success in North America, winning the SCCA's B-Production title three years running in the mid-1960s. Capitalizing on his success, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs, which were officially sanctioned and sold through selected Ford dealerships. The first Shelby Mustang - the GT350 - arrived in 1965 powered by a modified version of Ford's 289ci (4.7-liter) small-block V8 producing 306bhp, with options of a 340-360bhp unit in competition trim or 400bhp supercharged. A four-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox was the stock transmission on early Shelby Mustangs, though a heavy-duty, three-speed automatic soon became available as an option.

The running gear was up-rated appropriately to cope with the GT350's increased performance, though outwardly there was little to distinguish Shelby's GT350 from the standard product apart from a pair of broad 'racing' stripes down the body centerline. On the open road there was, of course, no comparison.

When the factory introduced a 390ci 'big-block' V8 option on the Mustang for 1967, Shelby went one better, installing Ford's 428ci (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8 to create the GT500, one of the great, iconic muscle cars of the 1960s. The Shelby Mustang continued to be based on the stock version, receiving the latter's styling changes and mechanical improvements while retaining its own distinctive special features until production ended in 1970.

THE CAR OFFERED

This beautiful GT500 Convertible offered is a rare and highly collectible Shelby Mustang. According to published records, this is one of 402 standard GT500 convertibles built, making it nearly as rare as the KR, of which 318 were produced. Per the accompanied Marti Report, this car was delivered new to Gotham Ford of New York City, New York. Since its delivery, the car has only managed to cross just under 83,000 miles, which are believed to be original. The car runs well while the Ford big block sounds just as good as the car looks.

The Shelby body buck and Ford trim tags denote this car was finished from new in red with a white top, and black deluxe vinyl interior, as it is presented today except for it now wears a black convertible top. Other options include power convertible top, power steering, power brakes, extra cooling package, visibility group, wheel well moldings, AM radio, interior décor group, tachometer and trip odometer. Shelby 10-spoke wheels, white deco stripes, and Shelby bits like the fresh-air hood, quarter panel scoops, rear deck spoiler, and Luca's fog lamps complete brute-in-a-suit looks.

Compared to the hardcore, homologation special GT350 of 1965-66, the GT500 brought considerably more refinement and luxury to the Shelby name. Particularly in open air spec as offered here, the GT500 is a perennially collectible Shelby Mustang, and a must have addition to any pony car stable.