Vehicle Description
Finished in Candy Apple Red, "Staying Alive" was the name given to
this Shelby fastback. The car actually named itself: After
connecting the radio wiring at the end of the restoration process,
the station was tuned in and the song playing was "Staying Alive."
The Shelby has been garaged for over 42 years. This is a
third-owner car purchased in February 1979. This 1968 Shelby GT500
KR fastback is powered by an original rebuilt 428ci Cobra Jet V8
engine. The rebuilt engine has 33,340 miles. Officially, the 428ci
Cobra Jet V8 was rated at 335 horsepower. However, this value is
known to be underestimated, with most being in universal agreement
that the engine's true output was well in excess of 400hp and a 440
ft/lbs of torque. The specifications also show 6.5 sec in 0-60 mph
as well as a 14.8-second quarter-mile time. The KR at the end of
the GT500 depicts King of the Road and portrays the model's
superior status, with the production of 933 fastbacks in 1968. The
King of the Road moniker was dropped prior to the 1969 model year,
making this vehicle a rare one-of-a-kind treasure. The
better-quality fiberglass parts allowed a complicated convergence
of panels (hood, fender, fender extension and nose panel). The hood
scoop is almost the entire width of the hood, and the car's styling
incorporated more aerodynamic theory by pulling the dual hood air
intakes all the way forward to the leading edge of the hood.
Sequential blinking taillights and the spoiler decklid, along with
the same S-H-E-L-B-Y lettering and Cobra Jet gas cap, give this car
more of its visual unique features and classic design. It comes
equipped with factory deluxe black interior seats, console wood
trim, wood steering wheel, tempered glass windows, a center console
that has the embossed Cobra logo, two-point roll bar and shoulder
harnesses, all of which are identified with the vehicle's Marti
Report. The exterior color of Candy Apple Red makes it one of 613
produced in 1968. The restoration was completed in 2021, and the
Shelby was entered in only three shows and placed in all. Highly
awarded, this Shelby has won First Place in Pioneer Street Rods,
First Place in Copper Canyon Cruise and Third Place out of over 400
entries in Cruising on Main. Additionally, this KR took home a
Third-Place award during its debut at a benefit for the Cancer
Society in honor of its prior owner.
