1968 GT 350 rotisserie restoration - Original motor, transmission and rear end. One of only 70 wimbledon white 4 speed 1968 GT 350's built! Investment-grade quality. Genuine ’68 GT350 fastback, Shelby serial number 01938. The base vehicle was initially built semi complete by Ford, then delivered to Shelby Automotive for finishing. The Ford VIN was expanded at Shelby by addition of a suffix identifying their sequential build number for this vehicle. The original Ford dash VIN and door warranty tags were retained, supplemented by a Shelby unique VIN plate incorporating the suffix number. This plate is installed on the front driver’s side inner fender in the engine compartment.
All identification tags, including Shelby VIN, build or “body buck”, dash VIN and door warranty are original and present on this vehicle.
The original door warranty tag codes for this car are as follows: Body 63B: Fastback with deluxe interior. Color M: Wimbledon White Trim 5AA: Black comfort-weave vinyl. Date 13B: Shelby Automotive. Axle 1: 3:89 ratio, Non locking. Trans 5: 4-speed manual. The factory copy of the original window price label survives and is with the car.
This GT350 is listed in the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) World Registry with clean history.
Produced at Ford’s Metuchen, NJ assembly plant and shipped to Shelby Automotive / A. O. Smith in Ionia, Michigan for completion. Completed by Shelby and shipped April 19, 1968 to selling dealer.
The exterior was repainted in 2010 to the original Wimbledon White color using a modern base/clear system. The black interior is original with exception of the carpet. This Shelby was originally built with standard wheel covers, four speed transmission, 3:89 ratio non locking differential, tilt / flip away steering wheel and AM radio.
The engine is the 302 original factory installed 302. (“Numbers matching”). The VIN stamping is in place at the proper location on top of the block between the back of the intake manifold and the bell housing. T
The original Cobra lettered aluminum valve covers are in place. The distributor is the original Autolite unit with dual vacuum diaphragm. The engine also retains its complete, functioning, original emission control system. The OEM Style transverse muffler exhaust system remains in good condition and produces a pleasingly aggressive exhaust tone.
The engine was professionally rebuilt and has accumulated only about 100 miles since.
The driveline components are believed to all be factory installed original to this vehicle. The transmission tag is RUG-N. The transmission was rebuilt at restoration with new internals. A new Centerforce brand clutch was also installed. The factory shifter mechanism remains in place. The rear axle is the original nine inch unit with the correct 3:89 gear ratio. The center section is the proper nodular style. The differential ID tag properly identifies it as a C8ZX-A unit
Tires are Goodyear Shelby SpeedWay 350 tires. Although showing minimal tread wear and are smooth driving, the tires are over 20 years old and should be replaced for safest performance. The ten spoke wheels are early 1980’s reproductions. A correctly dated jack is intact, with lug wrench.
Koni shock absorbers are installed all around. These were rebuilt at restoration and greatly enhance the car’s handling qualities. The brake system was refreshed at restoration with a rebuild of the original booster, installation of a new master cylinder and replacement of the various hoses and rubber items. The power steering pump was also rebuilt.
The exterior paint is of excellent quality. The finish is even and presents good gloss. A small amount of “orange peel” texture has been purposely left in the finish so as to replicate the factory quality paint.
Overall body integrity is excellent. All body metal is factory original. The factory paint was stripped off and revealed no evidence of any rust or accident damage other than a few minor dents. Panel fit, straightness and alignment are all very good, and the opening gaps around the hood, doors and trunk are very even. The floor pans and structural underbody are original and undisturbed. The underneath of the car is clean and highly detailed with red oxide as per factory specs.
Windshield, side window and rear glass is all in good condition with no cracks or substantial scratches. All weatherstrip has been replaced. The exterior trim was replaced at restoration and is in new or excellent condition. The fiberglass is all original. All Shelby exterior equipment, unique identification and trim are intact. The grille fog lights are the correct Lucas Square Eight model. The rear taillight turn signal sequencers were replaced at restoration and function properly.
The engine compartment was detailed as part of the restoration and appears as new. Correct reproduction hoses, belts and electrical components are installed, all bearing appropriate OEM style manufacturers’ markings and brands as used in the original production of the vehicle. The Shelby unique export brace is intact. The windshield washer system is intact and operational, with proper molded plastic reservoir. The power steering cooler is in place at the front of the radiator support.
The interior has an original dash pad in good condition. The dash gauge bezel and other dash trim components are in very good condition. The speedometer / tach are the correct 140mph/8K calibrations. The steering wheel is intact with correct Shelby Cobra center identification plate. The radio and all gauges and accessories are in working order. The combination tilt and flip-away features on the steering wheel are both functioning properly.
The original Shelby unique console is in place with embossed snake logo armrest. The console gauges are the original Stewart – Warner units, properly labeled “oil pressure” and “alternator”. The shifter handle is the correct OEM style with the pull up ring for reverse, and topped with the proper blue stripe knob. The original AM radio is intact and works.
The door panels are in very good condition. The correct metal grilles are in place on the lower door, with integrated courtesy lights. The doorsill plates are in nice condition. The fold down seat assembly is intact, operates smoothly, and its chrome trim is in good condition. The rear interior panels are intact and uncut. The roll bar, inertia reels, shoulder harnesses and all seat
belts are in place. The rear belts have “Shelby Cobra” logos and fronts have belt retractors. The trunk interior is painted Wimbledon White to match the exterior.
This GT350 runs and drives exceptionally well, with strong power. The engine is well set up to get the most out of the factory motor.. The clutch is a Centerforce brand unit and engages smoothly. The transmission is shifted easily. The rear differential is quiet. Handling and road manners are good with stable steering and suspension. The car exhibits an overall tight driving “feel”, which is a testament to its high body integrity.
The power assist to the braking is working properly and the car stops straight. The parking brake mechanism operates and holds the car properly. Brake and fuel fluid lines are in good condition, as are the front brake rotors and remainder of the brake system. All brake and power steering hoses were replaced during the rotisserie restoration. No fluid leaks are evident from the engine or any system.
All of the interior and exterior lights, including the sequential rear brake lights/turn signals and four way flashers, are in working order. All accessories, including radio, heater, windshield washers, horns, clock, parking brake warning light and tilt away steering mechanism are in working order. All of the gauges function accurately, including the tachometer and speedometer.
