Here’s a rarity, a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 that is as original as it gets and has had only one owner (not the current seller). It’s a study in originality and how to preserve a significant car for over a half-century. The mileage appears to be 106K miles but usage and time have not dulled this car’s appearance or appeal. This Highland Green fastback is located in Austin, Texas and it’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $80,028 with the reserve not yet met.
We’ve covered the history of this vintage Shelby Mustang many times before so I won’t belabor you with a recitation of that story. This car has not been restored, per se, though the seller mentions that it was repainted in its original shade in the early 2000s. Assume the paint is at least twenty years old and it still presents well though there is some sign of fade and loss of depth/luster. There’s no obvious corrosion or body damage, just a smattering of minor nicks and scratches. I imagine the side stripes were redone when the car was repainted as they still show perfectly. Not often seen are the “mag-type” wheel covers, maybe not as popular as the Shelby ten spokes, but again, a nice nod to originality.
Being a GT 500 means a 428 CI V8 engine and I believe that this powerplant is the 360 gross HP “Police Interceptor” version as opposed to the 335 HP “Cobra-Jet” variant, known as the “King of the Road” and utilized in the later part of the ’68 model year. Not stated is how this GT500, with its automatic transmission, performs but here’s a start-up and driving video for your review.
The interior is much like the exterior, it has a very original vibe and shows no sign of alterations or restoration (other than the installation of an aftermarket radio/cassette player). The upholstery checks out, the original Stewart Warner console-mounted gauges are still presentable, and the shoulder harnesses are still suspended from the Shelby-specific rollbar. The only real flaw that I can find is a crack in the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. This is a factory A/C-equipped car but it’s not said if the system is functional.
The ’68 edition of the Shelby Mustang has always been my favorite even though it marks the end of Carroll Shelby’s involvement with the conversion and outfitting of a Mustang fastback. I clearly remember the first time that I spied a ’69 model and thought what a letdown, the ’68 had made that much of an indelible impression on my young mind.
Here we see what are ostensibly, the original owners of this car. Seeing images like this makes me wonder what the thought process was so many years ago that led this couple to this car’s selection, as opposed to choosing a regular Mustang GT or something from a competitor – of which there were several in ’68. With an MSRP of $5212.28, this wasn’t exactly performance on a budget but it was an impressive piece of not exactly off-the-shelf American performance motoring and thus the price. If you have watched the big TV auctions, you know what it will likely take to move this Shelby to a new owner. Want to hazard a guess on its reserve?
If I had deep enough pockets, I would not worry about the reserve being met. Beings this is my bucket list baby from the blue oval, she would be sitting in my warm garage real soon.
Sweet!! Did they do anything to clean it up?
I expect the car has 106,105 miles on the odometer and not 206,105, based on the condition of the interrior. According to the warranty service description, it was up to 28k miles in the fall of ’69. Makes me wonder what happened to where the owner stopped driving it so much – a kid or ’70’s gas prices forced it into storage and then only ocassional driving afterwards?
I love unrestored or minimally restored old muscle cars with lots of mileage. These are the cars you could drive and enjoy without depreciating your investment.
It’s said JO, “Dont judge a book by its cover.” But we both know this is gonna get the 80k, if not more.
Sold with a high bid of $95,600.
Steve R
my guess-101k. That history,love the pic. of the guy and girl. I have a few of pics like that of some of my old rides with some friend of mine from the day.
Me too. I have the pictures but not the cars. I wouldn’t have bothered to take the pictures but luckily I had a friend who always carried a 35mm camera.
It’s great to look at and show those pictures.
I know a guy that has one the same color all original 23,000 miles on it, it hasn’t been registered since 1979, but it’s a Shelby GT 350. He won’t sell it
A beast! Will clean up nice, roaring to go! Will probably top $100K due to its condition, 428 engine, original Shelby! Great photo of the original owners…
Now this is more like it. Great car, great color, nicely presented, documented history. Wish I had room in my garage for this. Will only appreciate in value while eliciting lots of smiles and fun.
Still sitting at $80,528 with 4 hours to go. Reserve not met. I’d guess the reserve is at least $100k and I don’t blame them or find that unreasonable. This car checks all the boxes. Sure wish I could afford it.
Love this . Absolutely stunning. Nothing like a one owner 68 Shelby 428 GT 500, especially in this condition. What a beautiful automoblie indeed and the old black a white photo with original owner only adds to how rare and gorgeous this is. I can see this rising considerably above the reserve for sure. All the best to the owner , but if this was mine I could never part with for no amount of cash !
Nice car but I wonder why they didn’t replace the chrome tailpipes, as the picture seems to show rusty-looking pipes. Not a big deal for the new owner to do.
If you can’t get a 390 fastback this would be the next best thing Vroom!
A coat of the best transparent preservative over the body ..Spraveway all the glass and touch up as needed underneath, especially the torque boxes and rails, then after that enjoy driving it as is .Survivors like this one are once in a lifetime, if I lived near to where it is stabled, I`d have a serious one on one talk with the owner. Reserves are hard to guess at , Ebay auctions turn quickly into erection contests. The vintage Shelby GT 500 registry is likely the best place to look for what an example like this one, in as is conditions is really worth. Deep pockets do not care about overpaying ,but for anybody else, it is a matter of not paying any more than its true present value.
What’s with the stripped screw heads in VIN plate? And why screws?
$95,600 sold price
That was always my favorite car as a kids. There’s a guy that lives not to far from where I grew up that bought a 68 gt500 kr new. Still has it but the motor has been rebuilt, has about 70k of the hardest miles ever. It’s the same green but came with gold strips that he didn’t like an removed them.
Saw the 1975 dated intake, so engine is a 360/390 truck engine?
Well bought. Congrats to buyer. Not many left like that