Vehicle Description
Go to www.noreserveclassics.com to see over 150 High Quality
Photos, our Fully In-Depth YouTube Video with a POV Test Drive and
Walk Around, and Fully Interactive Virtual 360 Tour for this 1968
Shelby Cobra GT500KR Fastback and all of our other inventory!
No Reserve Classics is proud to present to you our beautiful, 1968
Shelby Cobra GT500KR Fastback. Not just any GT500 either - This is
the "King of the Road". A very original, very rare, survivor
quality, full numbers matching Shelby, with a well-preserved
interior and documented mileage. This is 1 of 1,053 GT500KR
Fastbacks EVER built in 1968. And to make this even more sought
after - it is 1 out of 20 highly optioned, factory air conditioning
equipped GT500KRs with only 1 of 2 sent to the state of Michigan!
How many do you think still exist today?? The long history of this
Shelby is recognized by S.A.A.C, the Shelby American Automotive
Club, and it's authenticity and provenance is cataloged within the
Shelby Registry. Lastly, this is the only car known to be sold
directly from the A.O. Smith Corp, the company who was only
responsible for building Shelbys and was not a dealership.
Originally built on 06/20/1968 in Metuchen, NJ and less than one
month later, it was sent to Borgman Ford in Michigan with a window
sticker of $5,297.51. From the 11/29/1968 invoiced date to November
6th, 1969 the subsequent dealer history is not known. However,
included in the photo section is a bill of sale from A.O. Smith
Corp. on November 7th, 1969. We've concluded that A.O. Smith Corp.
owned the vehicle for a short period of time before then. A.O.
Smith Corp was a subcontractor hired by Ford Motoring Company to
build Mustangs into the Shelbys we know today. Unfortunately due to
complications due to quality control issues, Ford had cut ties with
A.O. Smith and started to build Shelbys in-house.
In 1969, A.O. Smith was forced to close its doors. They had an
overflow of cars on their lot they needed to get rid of. Most of
the cars were donated to schools and other places as a tax
write-off. On page 16 of S.A.A.C Magazine, which can be viewed in
our photo section, a Shelby Engineer named Jim Frank, spoke of 1 or
2 cars that were ever to be sold directly from A.O. Smith Corp to
anyone other than a dealership. With the bill of sale from A.O.
Smith Corp, we believe that this is one of those cars. On November
7th, 1969, the final assembly foreman named Joe Beldt was able to
arrange for his brother-in-law, Keith Blackrick to purchase this
1968 Shelby GT500KR in the amount of $2,150. Before the sale, Joe
was believed to be driving this car back and forth to work and it
had approximately 25,000 miles. Similarly, a gentleman named Cecil
worked at this A.O. Smith plant whose job was to drive these cars,
put miles on them, and then A.O. Smith took the information and
improved the performance during these "test drives." Keith, who
owned a small used car lot, had to sell the car after 19 short
months due to insurance reasons. The car was then purchased by Mark
and Henry Adams. It was then sold to Gary Woodruff. And in 2001, it
was sold to Dale Le Beau. In the midst of ownership with Dale, he
noticed a "NOT FOR SALE" marking on the frame. The facts on this
stamp have yet to be discovered, but also included in our photos is
the letter written to S.A.A.C to uncover the true mystery between
11/29/1968 and 11/6/1969. This 1968 Shelby GT500KR now resides in
New Jersey, where No Reserve Classics will be holding it until the
next owner is ready to reopen the doors and drive a piece of
phenomenal American Muscle History!
The real reason this Shelby is dubbed "The King of the Road" is all
due to what is underneath this hood and being forced air into with
it's functional hood scoop. The famous 428 4V Cobra Jet V8 GT-500KR
Motor! Attached is the C-6 Automatic Transmission with and all the
power get's pounded into the ground by the Ford 9" rear end. And
yes, they are all numbers matching! Back in the day, these vehicles
were drag cars. They would run it down the strip, blow the engine,
and swap in a new one. This one still retains its original
drivetrain! With being an original Selectair Air Conditioning car
it still functions today! This GT500KR is also equipped with Power
Steering and Power Disc Brakes. It also incorporates the factory
smog components.
Arriving at your doorstep just as it would have 54 years ago, this
highly optioned car, #3565, came with a few rare components. As you
turned off your key the steering wheel would move away. This option
was called the Tilt-Pop Column. Although they were problematic, we
have taken the initiative to replace the faulty components with
brand new components so that tilt away lasts a lifetime more! The
Black Decor Knitted Vinyl interior has been untouched and is in
very well preserved condition. With no tears in the seats,
headliner, and not a crack in the dash this is one comfortable
machine. All of the gauges function properly and all of the
lightings as well. As we move our attention to the rear seating, it
does incorporate the RARE Sports Deck folding rear seat. Overall a
very well-kept interior that functions very well.
Back in 1968, there were not a lot of test facilities. The
engineers would actually daily drive these cars back and forth to
work. Doing this, they would change out components to get more
horsepower out of the car, changing rear end ratios, changing
carbs, etc. So included with the sale of this GT500KR are the
factory components; The original carburetor, distributor, coilpack,
complete rear pumpkin, cap and rotor. Also included are brand new
gaskets, brand new ac compressor, other misc items, as well as 16"
Cragar wheels and tires.
Still not convinced on the condition of this car? We highly
encourage getting Professional Inspections!
Classic Car Financing is available to purchase this vehicle!
Protect your Classic Car Investment with our Extended Warranty!
Under the Hood:
- Ford 428 4V FE Big Block V8
- Cobra Jet Ram Air
- Ford C6 Automatic Transmission
- Factory Selectair Air Conditioning
- Engine Oil Cooler
- Factory SMOG Equipped
- Factory Reinforced Strut Towers
- FoMoCo Radiator
- Comes with Factory Carburetor and Distributor
Exterior:
- Wimbledon White with Painted Blue Stripes
- Functional Hood Scoop
- Lucas Fog Lights
- GT Equipment Group
- Original 10 Spoke Shelby Wheels
-16" Cragar Wheels with Tires Included with Sale
- Original Carlite Glass
- Sequential Tail Lights
Interior:
- Tilt Pop Steering Wheel
- Tachometer and Trip Odometer
- Black Decor Knitted Vinyl Bucket Seats
- Shoulder Harness with Roll Bar
- Sport Deck Fold Down Rear Seat
- AM Radio Push Button
- Interior Decor Group
- Remote Mirror
- Tach and Trip Odometer
Underbody and Suspension:
- Power Disc Brakes
- Power Steering
- Ford 9" Rear End with 3.00 Gears
- Comes with Factory Rear End
DISCLAIMER:
Although this car looks absolutely stunning, please understand that
this is still a 50 year old car with imperfections as it wasn't
restored yesterday and has some mileage since the build. And due to
our inventory size, we are unable to drive every vehicle for long
distances. We do 40-60 miles between inspections, test drives, the
video, etc. We cannot guarantee that every gauge, light, window,
horn, option, function, etc. will work as it should. Please check
your local state inspection requirements. We...for more information
please contact the seller.
