Despite looking like something of a Hollywood film, the listing on Facebook Marketplace for this 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 claims this is a real-deal example that will need total restoration. It’s surreal to look out as a dingy shop and see a significant muscle car like the GT500 just sitting there, and I’m half-expecting to find out this is just an elaborate scale model set-up designed to make a fool out of me. Regardless, cars like this rarely pop up in barn finds form, so it’s worth taking seriously until proven otherwise. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $70,000 and located in Louisville, Kentucky.
I’m sure more eagle-eyed readers than I can spot any potential fakery from a mile away, but there’s little doubt spotting a car like this among the dusty confines of a dimly lit garage tends to make your heart beat faster, if only for a moment. The GT500 in ’68 was definitely the one to buy (if a GT500KR was out of reach) as it came with the more powerful 428ci engine rated at a healthy 360 b.h.p. The seller claims in the minimal information provided that the one found in his car is numbers matching; no word on whether the engine still turns, but the seller does note it has not run in 30 years.
The last few projects I’ve hauled out of junkyards haven’t run in five or ten years; my barn find 1980 BMW 320 hadn’t run in close to 20. Sometimes, you get lucky, and the engine is still turning freely; other times, you’re looking at a full rebuild. Though it’s not immediately obvious in the photos, the seller does disclose the Mustang has rust issues to sort out, so it will have the full assortment of issues that cars and trucks of this vintage tend to suffer from if they’ve been left to sit. Rust is still a bit of a surprise, however, given the seller’s location would lead you to believe the Mustang has resided in a salt- and snow-free climate.
Lots of original details are still present, from the OEM wheels to the air scoops on the C-pillars. Just over 1,000 GT500s were made in 1968, and I’m guessing red cars represented one of the smaller batches ordered. I didn’t find a break-down by color, but I’m sure Kevin Marti has everything you need. The listing claims the Mustang has had the same owner for 45 years, and that lots of new parts acquired for the Shelby will go with the car when it finds a new home. Shelby Mustangs will always be an enthusiast’s favorite, but a genuine, barn find example with matching numbers tends to get everyone’s attention. Find it a new home!
Louisville is far from a “salt and now free climate”, but it’s also not the worst. I’m only a couple of hours away…were it not for an occupied one car garage and a wife who wouldn’t exactly be all in, I might be headed up there with a trailer.
Next to the ’69 Z/28, the first two generations of Shelby Mustangs must be the most widely faked cars anywhere. However, there are all sorts of internet resources to aid any potential buyer with checking this one out. You would have to be rather gullible to be fooled, the Shelby Registry and the various clubs have more information than you can stand. But if its real, what a great find!
The connected rods in a box sitting on the fender is not a good sign. The price is ridiculous.
In April of 1968 ,Ford introduced the 428 Cj / Shelby KR.CJ/ KR was not upscale choice ,it replaced the 428 Police Interceptor.As Doug stated ,price is rediculouse
Definitely has rust issues, the lower part of the passenger door looks pretty crispy.
You saw that also my friend. If that is rotted so is the whole undercarriage. Yes, it may be a sweet find but do you really want to replace 60% of the sheet metal. Then the box of connecting rods on the hood with the front end raised from no engine under the hood and all the pics are hiding a lot.
I’m pretty sure those are 67′ Shelby wheels??
Yes, those are the optional deluxe 67 shelby only Kelsey Hayes magstars
I know the owner of this car personally. He is a local Mustang expert. Nothing fake here.
A Mustang expert who treats his cars like this? Yikes!
Maybe he just came across this, and did not let it turn into a rust pile?
well…somebody had to trump that garage find 65 Fuelie Corvette…..
Please remove all that junk that’s sitting on one of the most notorious, most collectable Ford products ever made. It’s not news that Shelby Mustangs are worth a few bucks, even more so the thrill of driving one.
Yeah, the KR, king of the road, meant 428 cobra jet power instead of the dressed up dual four 428 police interceptor, that’s it, nothing else. Win-win situation if you ask me, both are stout.
This would be a great stable mate for that Pantera! Seller didn’t say “ran when parked” and connecting rods on the hood are never a good sign.
There’s a distinct possibility that the block is windowed and that’s why it was retired to the shed.
70 grand to buy, another 70 grand to repair and restore. Only worth it if you’re a Powerball winner.
https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1314198/1968-shelby-gt500-for-sale-in-kentwood-michigan-49512
Or just buy a restored one
seller has been watching to many BJ auctions
I would add too many BJ auctions “with happy endings” :)
Connecting rods on hood? What else? Price is insane pluses another 70 to 90 thousand more to do right. And that’s if everything else is correct! Good luck your going to need it!
Wonderful 318 Poly swap contender
Said no one ever !!!!
Ah, so the seller wants $70,000. Yes.
I’ll add what my neighbor who was from W.Virginia said when I was a little kid, (she had a clever saying for everything)…”People in Hell want ice water, too”.
Very apropos here.
LOL
Too bad I’m not a drug dealer, I could make ALL kinds of money off the seller!! Nice find, but wow on the price. I’m thinking between 25-30 large would be more like it.
Its way over priced for a automatic. i watch the market on these and there wanting 100 plus on automatics but this one for 70 large needs snd 6-7 k engine rebuild and 10 grand paint. Then misc $$&. This car will exceed the cost of a running documented shelby car.
If the owner could possibly pony up documentation on bloodline of numbers matching (marty and engine with numbers i ‘d go mid 40s $ which would tax my labor and utilizing my mechanical skills to offset $$)
My current or latest 63 Split all numbers matching was work just done made me realize as i get older these projects are just harder on labor (human body) versus easy skills learned over the years.
I cant believe someone would put this up for sale and not clean it up. Smells fishy to me. Not much text either. If it lights your fire go check it out, but beware.
SMFH.
Cheers
GPC
Five lousy pics with crap all over the car and he wants $70k. No undercarriage pics? No floor pics? No engine pics? No thanks!
Is that the center console sitting on the roof?
40/50k max,,rods are bbf,,console on the roof,,dash pad out,rusty40k???
How could such a valuable car be so poorly treated over the years? Trashed car, trashy owners.
I can pretty much bet he is firm on the price
“Cause he knows what he’s got”. But no one in their right mind would pay that for a car that needs that much work unless you sit on it for another 40 years and with inflation get your money out of it. IMO … lose lose here.
I find it absolutely amazing… to see all of the Hillbilly hoarders in the U.S…
it seems… there is just piles..and piles of absolute junk.. in every corner of the United States.. what a mess.. I can just imagine what the house looks like
$70,000 for rusty Ford junk. Ok. I want $200,000 for my 1967 Corvette L89.
I love it! I will offer right now, $7,500. That’s 500 more than the 7,000 with the typo extra zero,…. obviously.
The fit and finish of that passenger front fender to door, and the slight discoloration, as well as flaking paint on the side scoop there tells me the car has been repainted and possibly in a collision earlier in its life. What a mess of a garage which speaks to the condition of the seller. Mustang expert? Criminy…pull it out, inflate the tires and wash the damn thing! I’m three hours away, I may just look at it to see what hard-earned $70 big ones will buy you these days.
Tbh I’m thinking of offering the seller $30,000 or a trade of my 2007 Shelby GT.
Been looking for a project car, and I will tell the seller how much this car really is worth.
Like how it aint gunna sell to someone with their head on straight, unless they’re some fat little porker that got a bunch of money from daddy for having all passing grades and is gunna end up ruining the car blowing it up by smashing it into a wall etc bla bla bla…
I’m just going to point out what I see and offer them a more reasonable price.
Who lets a car like that sit around for 30 years. The price is too damn High.
Guy’s your all missing the real deal here !!! The FORKS how much for the 2 FORKS on the finder ? 10-20K ? Ok Lets make a Deal ! We all need a little hummor these days..
Looks like it sold or was removed.