By 1968, the Shelby Mustang had matured well beyond its original muscle car roots, evolving into a refined grand touring machine that combined serious V8 performance with premium styling and enhanced comfort. Now offered on Bring a Trailer, this 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR represents one of the most desirable variants ever produced, carrying the legendary “King of the Road” designation that Carroll Shelby introduced to distinguish models powered by Ford’s formidable 428 Cobra Jet engine.
The GT500KR debuted midway through the 1968 model year, retaining the aggressive appearance of the GT500 while benefiting from the newly introduced 428-cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8, factory rated at 335 horsepower but widely recognized for producing considerably more.
Shelby-specific styling enhancements included a fiberglass hood with a functional Ram Air scoop, an extended front fascia, upper and lower side scoops, a rear deck spoiler, and the distinctive rear panel featuring sequential Thunderbird-style taillights. Together, these elements transformed the Mustang into one of the era’s most recognizable American performance cars.
This particular example is one of only 1,053 GT500KR fastbacks built during the brief April-to-July 1968 production period. Even more exclusive, it is among just 530 cars equipped from the factory with a four-speed manual transmission. Assembled at Ford’s Metuchen, New Jersey, plant on July 29, 1968, it was originally delivered to Robie Ford in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
According to its history, the first owner campaigned the car in racing events before a replacement 428 Cobra Jet engine block was installed during the late 1960s. The Shelby later resided in Maryland and reportedly spent approximately six months on display at the Shelby Museum in Las Vegas around 2005.
Finished in Wimbledon White accented by blue Le Mans stripes, the car rides on refinished 15-inch Shelby 10-spoke alloy wheels wearing Falken and Dunlop performance tires. Factory equipment includes a 3.50:1 Traction-Lok limited-slip differential, power steering, power-assisted front disc brakes, heavy-duty suspension components, and rear drum brakes, reflecting Shelby’s emphasis on both performance and drivability.
Inside, the black vinyl cabin features front bucket seats and a folding Sport Deck rear seat complemented by the Mustang’s upscale Interior Décor Group. Woodgrain trim enhances the dashboard, center console, and door panels, while Shelby-exclusive touches include a roll bar with inertia-reel shoulder belts, a Cobra Jet dash emblem, Tilt-Away steering column, and Stewart-Warner auxiliary gauges beneath the dashboard. A wood-rim steering wheel frames a 140-mph speedometer, tachometer, analog clock, and factory instrumentation, completing an interior that successfully balances competition-inspired functionality with grand touring comfort.
1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR For Sale – Image Gallery
Source: Bring a Trailer
