Vehicle Description
One of only 404 Shelby GT350 Convertibles ever built! One of only
82 in Sunlit Gold over Black interior! Optioned with numbers
matching 302ci V8, 4-speed transmission, power disc brakes, power
steering, power top, 10-spoke alloy wheels, tilt-away steering
column and more! A 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. The output would be rated at a
respectable 250 horsepower. It would be 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
a White folding convertible top. Under the 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, Cobra lap belts front &
rear, Interior Decor 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 comfortable 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.
