Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Fall event,
August 31-3, 2017.
Chassis No.
8T03J180352
Estimate:
$115,000 - $130,000 US
When Ford muscled up its Mustang for the model's first update in
1967, Carroll Shelby was ready. The updated Mustang had beefier
bodywork and an enlarged engine bay, two things that worked well
with Shelby's recipe of street-legal, race-ready performance.
Shelby specified fiberglass panels to save weight up front, while a
roll bar integrated inside hinted at the way select owners may
actually use their cars. Ford made the basic Mustang handle better,
giving Shelby an even better platform to work with.
For 1968, Shelby bowed to demand and offered the first convertible
GT350. With its distinctive, functional roll bar, the GT350
Convertible offered a high performance driving experience. A
revised hood sat over new square driving lamps integrated into the
grille. Under the hood, the GT350 was powered by the respected 250
horsepower, 302 cubic inch V-8 engine.
This particular example has approximately 78,000 original miles,
and it has been treated to a high-end restoration which looks
fantastic. It is finished in its correct-from-new code I Lime Gold
paint with Black interior. During the restoration process, great
care was taken in the sourcing of correct and original Shelby/Ford
components, such as the Lucas foglights.
Backed by an Elite Marti Report; of the 404 GT350 convertibles
built in 1968, this Shelby represents one of only six that received
factory Selectaire air conditioning - a very rare machine indeed. A
convertible with air was uncommon at the time; especially on a pure
performance car.
Among the other features on this outstanding Shelby is
Select-O-Matic automatic transmission, tinted glass, shoulder
harness, power steering, power brakes with front discs, tilt
steering wheel, pushbutton AM radio, white power-operated top with
glass backlite, heavy-duty battery, Visibility Group, Interior
D�cor Group, wheel lip moldings, and tachometer with trip
odometer.
According to its Elite Marti Report and the original Shelby sales
invoice, this GT350 was delivered new to Lynch-Davidson Ford on
Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. Its cost when new
totaled $5,116.50 out the door, with a base price of $4,238.14. A
very nice array of books and paperwork are also included.
This rare Shelby appears to be in impeccable condition; the style
is unmistakable with Shelby ten-spoke wheels and Goodyear white
letter tires. The engine bay is very well detailed down to an
Autolite battery. Inside, its black vinyl upholstery is in
excellent condition and it features correct Shelby and GT350
badging.
Shelby's from this era continue to capture the attention they
received from day one and remain one of the muscle car era's most
desired machines. Throw in the fact that this is a quite rare,
one-of-six air conditioned 350GT convertible that is
well-documented, and you intuitively know that it's a very special
platform for you to experience. Some may conclude it's the perfect
device for shrinking time and distance.
