Vehicle Description
The Shelby Mustang is a high-performance variant of Ford's
production Mustang and was built by Shelby American from 1965 to
1968.
Ford Motor Company produced the Shelby version in 1969 and 1970. In
1967, a GT 500 was added to the Shelby lineup powered by Ford's 428
cubic-inch FE Series engine outfitted with dual-four barrel carbs
sitting atop a medium-rise aluminum intake manifold
In September, 1966, when Ford started shipping the '67 Mustangs to
SAI for conversion, Shelby was having financial and production
problems (quality) forcing Ford to take control over engineering
and purchasing. A company in Ionia, Michigan, the A.O. Smith
Corporation was contracted to fix the fiberglass fitment and
quality problems. Six months later, in May 1967, the decision was
made to terminate the California-based Shelby operation. In August,
1967 Ford moved its small engineering staff and left-over Mustangs
to A.O. Smith Corporation that had a multi-level production
facility in Ionia.
The 1968 Shelby Mustangs were only built for 9 months. All the
Mustangs destined for Shelby conversion were produced at Ford's
Metuchen assembly plant in New Jersey. The cars were shipped by
rail to A.O. Smith. The "knockdown" Mustangs were shipped in
running condition, some had stock Mustang hoods and some had
fiberglass. The cars were shipped without front grille assemblies,
taillights and valences. All the cars had steel wheels.
Once unloaded all cars had the fluids checked, inspected for
mechanical and cosmetic defects. After inspection the cars were
taken to the production area where they would pass through various
'stations' during the moving assembly process.
Workers first disconnected the battery then removed seats, carpets
and interior trim panels. All the cars had a roll bar welded in and
the rear taillight panels were modified to accept the new
sequential lights. A/C cars were prepared to receive special oil
coolers. Under the hood, stock air cleaners were removed and set
aside.
The oil pressure wiring was modified for the Stewart Warner gauges.
Cobra valve covers were installed and in the front special bumper
extensions were added. New fiberglass headlight buckets, valences
and hoods were also added. In the rear, fiberglass decklids and end
caps were installed. Side scoops were added and fastback cars also
received upper air extractors. Each car was assigned a special
serial number with a special VIN plate attached. Early cars
received Marchal fog lights with later cars having Lucas
lights.
New Shelby Cobra seat belts were installed along with a unique
center console. Under the dash, new flasher assemblies had to be
installed to make the taillights flash correctly. Interior panels
were now reassembled. Every car received a set of rocker panel
stripes. These stripes came in three colors: black, white and blue.
Each set matched an exterior color and model designation.
In the beginning there were GT 350s and 500s. In May '68 the new
Shelby GT500KR started being produced. Only 1,571 were made in May,
June and July. Fiberglass parts were painted to match the original
Mustang colors. Seven exterior colors were available with two
different interior colors. Heat lamps were used in the drying
process.
During final inspection all codes and body tolerances were checked.
Decals, owners manuals and a front license plate bracket were put
in their proper place. A box of new hubcaps (4) and radio antenna
were placed in the trunk of each car. These were installed at the
dealer during prep. Only a handful of cars left the factory with
the optional ten spoke alloy wheels. The conversion process at A.O.
Smith Corp. continued into the fall of 1968. During those nine
months A.O. Smith also produced the Mercury Cougar XR-7G.
In the summer of 1969 the agreement between Carroll Shelby and Ford
Motor Company was terminated.
1968 Shelby GT500 Convertible and only one of 402 produced for 1968
and comes with a framed Elite Marti Report! This Rare Shelby was
ordered new from Larsen Ford Inc. in White Plains New York on
08/07/1967. There was 4,451 1968 Shelby's produced and 1,423 were
GT-500s. Of that only 402 GT-500 convertibles were produced. This
Shelby (#00255) was scheduled to be built on 12/08/1967 but was
actually built and released on 11/27/1967.
This GT-500 has the following features:
- 428-4V Police interceptor 360hp
- C-6 Select Shift Automatic Transmission
- Power Disc Brakes
- Power Steering
- Shoulder Harness
- Power Top
- Extra Cooling Package
- Competition Handling Package
- Oil Pressure Gauge
- Ammeter
- Deluxe Interior
- Deluxe Steering Wheel
- Luxury Bucket Seats
- Remote Control Outside Mirror
- Tachometer
- Trip Odometer
- Am Radio
- Wheel Lip Moldings
- Visibility Group
- Interior Decor Group
This is a older restoration that still shows extremely well and
everything on the car works except the factory clock. The car runs
and drive fantastic and is sitting on the correct new 15 x E70
Goodyear Speedway 350 Large RWL Tires. The paint is nice with a
deep shine and mirror like reflection. There are a few small chips
that were touched up from being driven. There is a eight minute
video going over the car and showing the imperfections we found and
driving the vehicle as well. The chrome, trim and bright work are
nice on the car and are showing just a few small imperfections.
This car is priced under the money and a rare opportunity to own a
real deal 1968 Shelby GT-500 convertible and 1968 was the last year
Carrroll Shelby was in control. Call 314-346-6039 with any
questions or to purchase.
314-346-6039