This 1968 GT500 Fastback is listed as No. 01824 in the official Shelby Registry and was originally shipped to Nagle Ford, Inc. in Rochester, NY, where it was delivered to first owner J.D. Baker on 4/2/1968. Subsequent owner history is also listed in the registry. Sunlit Gold with a very rare saddle interior, the Shelby is one of 1,044 GT500 fastbacks built for Shelby Automotive by the A.O. Smith Company in Michigan, where Shelby production moved for 1968. In addition to its Shelby equipment, the GT500 is also equipped with an automatic transmission, factory ice-cold air conditioning, power steering, power front disc brakes, tinted glass, tilt pop-a-way steering wheel and a Philco pushbutton radio. The popular Shelby aluminum 10-spoke wheels are present. As a GT500, the Shelby is equipped with the 360 HP 428 Police Interceptor big-block that came from the factory with aluminum intake manifold topped by a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, oval open-element air cleaner and finned aluminum Cobra valve covers. Like all 1968 Shelbys, the GT500 started life as a big-block Mustang fastback at Ford’s Metuchen, New Jersey, assembly plant before its transformation into a Shelby with fiberglass body panels and other special components. The front fascia gave the Shelby a totally different look with a larger grille opening, Marchal fog lamps, and hood with a pair of forward-placed scoops. At the rear, the fiberglass trunk lid incorporated a ducktail spoiler, while the rear panel was distinguished by horizontal 1965 Thunderbird tail lights with sequential operation. For 1968, the Shelby Mustangs transitioned from the all-out performance of 1965-67 to more of a “Road Car” sports-luxury vehicle, which was bolstered by the Mustang’s Deluxe interior with wood-grain trim, along with a unique console with padded Cobra-embossed armrest and dual gauge pods. The Mustang’s heavy-duty suspension was also part of the package.
Additional Details:
1 of 1,044 GT500 Fastbacks produced in 1968
1 of 270 with the paint code (sunlit gold)
1 of 41 with this paint/trim combination
Shipped to Nagle Ford In. in Rochester, NY
428 CI Police Interceptor V-8 engine
Holley 4-barrel carburetor
Aluminum intake manifold
Automatic transmission
Power steering
Power brakes with front discs
Saddle decor deluxe interior
Philco pushbutton radio
Very rare factory Marchal fog lamps
Tinted glass
Tilt-pop-a-way steering wheel
Air conditioner - Selectaire
10 spoke aluminum wheels
B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A tires
Listed in the Shelby Registry
Original build sheet
Original factory invoice
Original body-buck tag
Lots of original factory paperwork, Shelby warranty paperwork, recall notice
