Description
Lot #680 - As listed in the official Shelby Registry, this 1968 GT500 fastback, Shelby No. 01824, was originally shipped to Nagle Ford Inc. in Rochester, NY, where it was delivered to first owner J.D. Baker on April 2, 1968. Subsequent owner history is also listed in the registry. Presented in Sunlit Gold with a Saddle interior, this Shelby is one of 1,020 GT500 fastbacks built for Shelby Automotive by the A.O. Smith Company in Michigan, where Shelby production moved for 1968. In addition to its Shelby equipment, this GT500 is also equipped with an automatic transmission, factory air conditioning, power steering, power front disc brakes, tinted glass, tilt pop-a-way steering wheel and a Philco push-button radio. The Shelby aluminum 10-spoke wheels were added. As a GT500, the Shelby is equipped with the 428/360hp Police Interceptor big-block engine that came from the factory with aluminum intake manifold topped by a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, oval open-element air cleaner and finned aluminum Cobra valve covers. Like all 1968 Shelbys, this GT500 started life as a big-block Mustang fastback at Ford’s Metuchen, NJ, assembly plant before its transformation into a Shelby with fiberglass body panels and other special components. The front fascia gave the Shelby a totally different look with a larger grille opening, Marchal fog lamps and hood with a pair of forward-placed scoops. At the rear, the fiberglass trunk lid incorporated a ducktail spoiler, while the rear panel was distinguished by horizontal 1965 Thunderbird taillights with sequential operation. For 1968, the Shelby Mustangs transitioned from the all-out performance of 1965-67 to more of a “Road Car” sports-luxury vehicle, which was bolstered by the Mustang’s Deluxe interior with wood-grain trim, along with a unique console with padded Cobra-embossed armrest and dual gauge pods. The Mustang’s heavy-duty suspension was also part of the package. A Marti Report is included and breaks down that this Shelby - which carries Carroll Shelby's signature on the glove box - is one of 270 painted in Sunlit Gold and one of 41 with this paint and trim combination. Also accompanying this GT500 is the original Build Sheet, original factory invoice, original body-buck tag and lots of original factory paperwork, including the Shelby warranty paperwork.
**TITLE IN TRANSIT**