Vehicle Description
One of only 404 Shelby GT350 Convertibles ever built! One of only
82 in Sunlit Gold over Black interior!� Optioned with number's
matching 302ci V8, 4-speed transmission, power disc brakes, power
steering, power top, 10-spoke alloy wheels, tilt-away steering
column and more!� Great example for Shelby enthusiasts and Mustang
collectors alike! Shelby production was taken in-house under Ford
control by 1968. This change allowed for more insight and
development from the Ford execs in the production process.� This
also meant a few design changes that production year.� The front
end saw the intake scoops pushed out to the edge with twist hood
locks, and the addition of rear positioned hood louvers.� The grill
was now highlighted in trim with rectangle Marchal or Lucas fog
lamps still positioned there.� The GT350 would now receive the
302ci V8 fitted with an oval Cobra air cleaner, Cobra aluminum
intake with Holley 600cfm carburetion, highlighted by Cobra valve
covers.� Output would be rated at a respectable 250 horsepower.� It
would by a hot seller with 1,657 units built, but only 404 would be
convertibles! We are pleased to have the opportunity to represent
this 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 convertible finished in its factory
ordered color of Sunlit Gold Metallic over Deluxe Black vinyl
interior with White folding convertible top. Under the�hood lies
the original, numbers correct 302ci V8 engine mated to the factory
4-speed manual transmission and 3.89:1 rear axle ratio.� Options on
this example include power disc brakes, power steering, power glass
backlite convertible top, extra cooling package, wheel lip
moldings, original Marchal fog lamps, Tilt-away steering wheel,
heavy duty battery, tachometer & trip odometer, Visibility Group,
Philco AM radio, padded roll bar, shoulder harnesses (now absent),
Cobra lap belts front & rear, Interior D�cor Group, rear splash
guards, 15" aluminum Shelby 10-spoke wheels, and Stewart Warner
console gauges for oil pressure & amperage. Our example was special
order #2747 coming from Larry Lange Ford Inc based in Cedar Falls,
IA. It was scheduled for build on March 19th, 1968, but came in
ahead of schedule being delivered on March 12th that year.� Its
early life is unknown, but the car lived out it retirement years in
Phoenix, Arizona with title records from 2003 to date.� It remained
wonderfully original with exception to an older exterior repaint
that today would be best described as very glossy and vibrant, but
showing few touch ups here and there.� We suspect the top had been
replaced at that same time years ago.� The interior remained 100%
original upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum with the seat
foams growing tired, and the seat upholstery seams pulling away in
the normal areas.� In July of 2016, the entire interior was
restored with brand new carpet, complete seating upholstery &
foams, along with a brand new glass backlite convertible top & boot
cover.� The interior center console received a new, correct Cobra
embossed armrest pad, shifter boot, chrome trim bezel, along with
fresh wood veneer. We further elected to replace all four tires
with new BF Goodrich Radial T/A white letter tires, the fuel
sending unit, coolant temp sensor, and sway bay links & bushings.
The previous owners had already recently added four new shocks, new
mufflers, oil pan gasket, and a fresh fuel pump.� Today, the
odometer shows 99,473 which we feel very confident is original, but
without excellent records, we are selling the vehicle mileage
exempt.� As for the originality, we found the engine stamp pad to
read 8T173042, while our vehicle number would be 8T183042. In our
professional assessment having reviewed a number of vehicle stamps
over the years, finding seven of eight numbers to match,
particularly the final 4 digits in this case, we are comfortably
stating this is the "born-with" engine this car delivered new
with.� Quite possibly an error on the assembly line during
production.� The block itself is further stamped with 8B9 on the
front also indicating a correct 1968 production date with Cobra
intake S2MS-9424A fitted with proper Holley S8MS-9510C/ List 4234
carburetor.� The top loader transmission maintains factory
inspection markings and tag stamped RUG N1 representing a correct
28-spine close ratio unit for a small block application.� All in
all, we have zero doubt this is a 100% numbers matching and code
correct example.� We invite any questions.� Please call to schedule
an inspection.