Vehicle Description
As listed in the official Shelby Registry, this 1968 GT500
fastback, Shelby No. 01824, was originally shipped to Nagle Ford
Inc. in Rochester, NY, where it was delivered to first owner J.D.
Baker on April 2, 1968. Subsequent owner history is also listed in
the registry. Presented in Sunlit Gold with a Saddle interior, this
Shelby is one of 1,020 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, this GT500 is
also equipped with an automatic transmission, factory air
conditioning, power steering, power front disc brakes, tinted
glass, tilt pop-a-way steering wheel and a Philco push-button
radio. The Shelby aluminum 10-spoke wheels were added. As a GT500,
the Shelby is equipped with the 428/360hp Police Interceptor
big-block engine 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, this GT500 started life as a big-block Mustang fastback at
Ford's Metuchen, NJ, 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 taillights 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. A Marti Report
is included and breaks down that this Shelby - which carries
Carroll Shelby's signature on the glove box - is one of 270 painted
in Sunlit Gold and one of 41 with this paint and trim combination.
Also accompanying this GT500 is the original Build Sheet, original
factory invoice, original body-buck tag and lots of original
factory paperwork, including the Shelby warranty paperwork. **TITLE
IN TRANSIT**
