Famed American automotive designer, racing driver and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby partnered with Ford to build Mustang-based performance cars. The result of their collaboration was the Shelby GT350 in 1965. By 1968, the car had evolved to the GT500 and would see the first convertible built in the series. This ’68 Shelby GT500 is also the more limited KR, which stood for “King of the Road”, including a decked out 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet V8. The seller’s convertible would be one of 318 built and only 51 with an automatic transmission. Located in Denver, Colorado, this GT500 KR is available here on craigslist for $157,000. Thanks, Gunter Kramer, for shedding light on this one for us!
Ford got a major boost in its reputation in the performance market by working with Shelby to introduce the GT350. As time went by, the cars would get increasingly more powerful. The GT500 would debut in 1967 with a bigger engine, making it heavier up front. To compensate and make the car more suitable for adventurous driving, several upgrades to the chassis were made. For more speed, the CJ 428 had larger intake ports and valves than the regular 428, a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, heavier connecting rods, and a nodular iron crankshaft casting. Some engines were also equipped with a functional hood scoop and unrestricted cold air induction. While the official horsepower rating was conservative at 335, independent testing proved it to be as high as 410, in line with the motor’s 440 lb.-ft. of torque.
The seller has owned this beautiful white 1968 GT500 KR for nearly 30 years. We’re told that all the sheet metal is original, and it’s never been in a fender bender. The undercarriage is said to be in excellent condition and the body has only had one repaint. The car has always lived out west, principally in California and Colorado. It’s one of only a few dozen built in ’68 with an automatic transmission, making it one of the scarcest of an already rare breed. The mileage is indicated at 84,000, so it’s been used and appreciated, not placed on a pedestal for the past 53 years.
This car, like the rest of the KR’s, is recognizable due to its Shelby styling. The big vents atop the front grille are highlighted by fog lamps below, the hood has a set of twist-lock pins, contrasting Shelby stripes above the side skirts, and “Cobra Jet 428” emblems on the fenders and gas cap along with GT500 KR graphics on the front fenders. While we don’t see much of the interior of the seller’s car, it has the Cobra-badged steering wheel and likely Cobra-embossed leather upholstery. If this car is everything it proposes to be, it should be capable of 0-60 in under seven seconds and a top speed of 140 mph. At least that’s what the reported stats are for the KR series.
Ford and Shelby parted ways in 1969, thus the total Shelby output over their five-year association was about 4,450 units. The GT500 KR’s were some 1,250 of that number, most being coupes. Ford compensated for the Shelby absence with the Mach 1 and Boss 351, but the magic had largely been lost. The GT500 KR was revived in 2008 based on the new body with styling cues from the original car. It may have been a successful tribute car depending on who you ask.
The seller’s car will come with some of its original paperwork, tags and a Marti Report. A few extra parts await the next owner in the trunk of the KR. As 1968 was the only year the KR was produced as a convertible, it may be the most desirable version among collectors. While the seller’s asking price sounds steep for a Mustang, it’s not for a Shelby which regularly seem to trade in six-figure territory.
Just … WOW!
Beautiful car, but all hail the automatic cuz it’s rarer….listen to yourself…it’s still a handcuffed shushbox…
This car on Craigslist? (should be on “BringaTrailer” to reach the proper target audience).
As a 15 year old my uncle gave me a ride in his KR convertible. It was that light metallic green over black with a 4 speed. Every time I see one I wonder if it was his because it was stolen off of a showroom floor where it was displayed in 1970 and never recovered.
I also remember totally outperforming one on the highway in a 1988 M5 sedan. He couldn’t keep up in traffic and couldn’t accelerate at speed as well.
Many Many years ago a customer a our Service Station in Portlandia had one of these for a couple of years. Her husband was a used car dealer and bought when it was about a year old. However it went away a couple of years when the split the sheets. One difference between her car and this was the one I knew was fully loaded including ac,
Well, the 390 in 67 was rated at 335hp. I’ve driven both. The 428’s ponies are clearly bigger. That is what the Butto-meter says. KOTR RULES!
I’d love to see it with the roof down! didnt they have an elegant built in roll bar?
My Dad was the service manager at our small town Ford dealer when an acquaintance of mine got home from Vietnam and came in to pickup his blue one that he had sent a deposit in to have ordered. Jimmy had been one of the hot rodders in our locale and was always building his own street racers before Uncle Sam called. He took that car down the road and we could hear hear him gradually getting into it as he pushed the throttle harder. About fifteen minutes later he puttered back in. Tossed the keys to the owner of the dealership and said; “You can keep the deposit. I’d kill myself in that damn thing.”