Some barn finds are simply special, and this 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 KR “King of the Road” is one of them. Wearing all the correct Shelby data tags and matching VINs on the door and inner fender, it retains its original numbers-matching 428 Cobra Jet V8. Parked for roughly 26 years and off the road for more than 20, it’s now being offered for sale by the family who has owned it for 35 years. The car carries a clean title and, despite decades in storage, is reported to have solid floors, trunk pans, and no rust issues. Listed here on craigslist, it’s a rare chance to acquire one of the most sought-after Mustangs of the muscle car era. Thanks for the tip Barney!
The GT500 KR debuted mid-year in 1968 as the top performance Shelby, with the 428 Cobra Jet officially rated at 335 horsepower but widely understood to produce more. This example’s body appears straight and corrosion-free, a major plus for any unrestored classic.
Long-term storage means the Shelby will need a full mechanical recommissioning before it can be driven. The seller does not mention whether the engine turns freely, so a cautious inspection would be prudent. However, the presence of the original big block under the hood makes it highly appealing to collectors.
The seller calls the interior their favorite part, and it’s easy to see why. From the gauges to the bucket seats to the rollbar, everything is still original, offering a true time-capsule feel. While some wear is inevitable after half a century, originality carries significant value in a Shelby of this caliber.
Inherited after the passing of the owner’s grandmother, the car now awaits a new caretaker. With values of genuine, numbers-matching GT500 KRs continuing to rise, this could be a worthwhile restoration project or a carefully preserved survivor, depending on the next owner’s vision.
Shelby Mustangs have always been special, but the GT500 KR sits near the top of the list for desirability. This one’s long family history, unmodified condition, and matching-numbers powertrain make it even more enticing. Would you restore it to concours condition or preserve its originality for the next generation?
The asking price on the Craigslist ad is $17,800 so something is not right.
Thanks for posting the price. Something the author should do.
And the location! Annoying.
A GT500KR at that price should default to, it’s a scam. As mentioned below, this car was featured last week on Barn Find Hunters YouTube channel, it has an interesting story and other than a layer of dust is in really good shape and was well taken care of. This won’t be restored, it’s too nice.
Whoever posted the CL ad was a fool, this car is too recognizable to go unnoticed as a scam for long, hopefully the ad was taken down before someone was gullible enough to send money.
Steve R
This was just on Hagerty’s Barn Find Hunter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CxENs5lwTA&t=1112s
Good catch, Troy.
Troy thanks for sharing this video, what a great story of a family loved car.
This surely seems like a scam. These are big $ cars and the price seems too good to be true. If this was a real deal I’d be on my way to get it. You can’t even buy a solid Mach 1 for 20,000.
Scam all the way. Please remove from your site.
Scam all the way. Please remove from your site.
Scam all the way. Please remove from your site.
Scam all the way. Please remove from your site.
Scam all the way. Please remove from your site.
Craigslist deleted..
Hopefully no one bought into it and lost cash 💰
Kinda seems like Hagerty staged and scripted this whole thing, including the craigslist ad which has since been deleted.
Not likely. There are a lot of incredibly desirable cars buried in the back garages and shops. Random YouTube Chanel might stage something, not Barn Find Hunters on Hagerty, they have people calling them to feature their cars, that have no reason to fake something like this.
Steve R
Always appreciate your diplomacy Steve.
I’ll be more blunt.
Does anyone really think a reputable car hobbyists’ organization such as Hagerty would risk their reputation on a scam? Get real.
The thing with any conspiracy theory is they are always easy to debunk. Leave the tin foil hat stuff to Alex Jones.
My uncle had an exact twin to this car that he bought new. Same color, same hubcaps, and even the same C6 trans.
Yeah scam as everyone says. Craigslist ad was Tulsa, OK and this car in the video was in Kansas. Price was $17,800? Thanks for listing the price. Maybe it was set so low to grab an eager unsuspecting victim. This was the King of the Road, no way it goes so cheap.
Last time I saw one of these in person was at Tasca Ford in Rhode Island at a Mustang reunion.Carroll Shelby and Bob Tasca Sr. was there together signing autographs. Was like 95 degrees and waited in line for about 2 hours for his autograph then heard down the line he was leaving as it was too hot. I had a muscle car book with a picture from the 60’s of Carroll Shelby and Bob Tasca racing Daytona Cobra slot cars together and was hoping to get them to autograph the page in the book.
I ran up to the front of the line and those too guys looked miserably hot. Felt bad for them. I asked the security if he could show this picture in the book to them and he said no, can’t cut the line. I told him it’s those two guys racing slot cars together. He saw the book and smiled and said sure. When Shelby and Tasca saw the picture in the book they laughed and smiled like two guys looking at a high school year book 40 something years later. I yelled out for them to autograph it but Amy Boylan, then president of Shelby American, said it wouldn’t be fair to the others in line.
Oh well, glad I was able to put a smile on Shelby and Tasca’s face that day. :-)
Seller probably forgot a zero.
That’s promising. I would’ve thought most commenters on here would think the asking price was spot on or even too high.
I kid. I just watched this video a few days ago. The car is going to auction after becoming road worthy again. Barn find KR shelbys on craigslist just isn’t a thing.
I sent them 17,800 in cash, Should have the car tomorrow. Super excited!
Does the price include the bridge?
Dennis Collins would have bought it if it was real.🙄
Thankfully he doesn’t get first call on every desirable car. I recently unsubscribed to his channel. It used to be interesting, now it’s become a parody of its earlier shows. It’s now more of a skit among his helpers and a long advertisement for various products or the cars he’s selling than a show about finding cool cars and the stories behind them.
Steve R
Outstanding! (Said in his voice)
Listing was removed
This was a scam. Guy gave me a false address