Documented SAAC Gold Shelby GT500 Convertible 428 Police Intercepter V8 C6

SUMMARY

* 5-year nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration that was completed in 2010
* Awarded Concours Gold at the SAAC-34 Car Show / AACA Outstanding Vehicle nominee
* Listed in the Shelby American Automobile World Registry
* Date-correct Police Interceptor V8
* Correct C6 3-speed automatic transmission / Correct 3.00 rear gears
* Mostly original body / Correct Highland Green paint / Correct White top
* Correct interior / Correct factory air conditioning
* Sale includes: Copies of original Shelby paperwork / A Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report
* Sale includes: Restoration documents / SAAC-34 paperwork / AACA nomination certificate
* Correct power steering / Correct power front disc and rear drum brakes

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During its 52-year history, the legendary Mustang has enjoyed immense innovation and success. From Boss 302s and Boss 429s to SVO cars and the latest GT350R, performance is something the Ford camp knows all too well. So that begs the question: what exactly does it take to make a Mustang truly collectible? Well, it's hard to answer such a broad inquiry, but we can tell you what makes this sweet GT500 stand out from the herd. For starters, it's a professionally restored piece that wraps a mostly original profile in correct Highland Green paint. It's also a rare GT500 convertible that's fully documented, from its Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report all the way to its listing in the Shelby American Automobile Club World Registry. And last but certainly not least, the car achieved 870.5 out of 900 points to be certified Concours Gold at the 2009 SAAC-34 Car Show. So, that brings us to the ultimate question: are you ready for an investment grade Shelby?

HISTORY/BODYWORK

Built for only nine months, all 1968 Shelby Mustangs were produced at Ford's Metuchen assembly plant and shipped as running knockdown units to A.O. Smith in Ionia, Michigan. And this award-winning pony, stored for roughly 25 years, features an all-original body that's seen only minor repairs. Our story begins in 1980, when one of the car's previous owners stored his newfound classic in hopes of conducting a complete restoration. Fast-forward to 2005 when that classic, in multiple pieces, was spotted by the current owner and rescued with a healthy sum of cash and roughly five years of careful resuscitation. Aesthetically, that nut-and-bolt rotisserie rebuild began with a full strip to bare metal, progressed to correct Highland Green 2-stage, and finished with traditional stripes and a correct top. And today, with the exception of roughly 500 easy miles, this sweet Ford spends all of its time in a climate-controlled garage.

ENGINE

Lift the lightweight hood and you'll find a correct, 428 cubic inch Police Interceptor V8 that's branded with a C6ME-A casting number and January (A) 4th (4), 1968 (8) casting date. Unfortunately, the car's original engine was too far gone to repair and restore, so its present owner called SEMO Mustang, sourced a date-correct replacement and had it professionally built by Hampton Engines of Westhampton Beach, New York. At the top of the Ford Blue beast, a finned and “COBRA” branded air cleaner jams oxygen in to a big Holley carburetor that's bolted to a correct aluminum intake. At the sides of that intake, high performance heads hang finned and “COBRA LE MANS” branded valve covers between a small chrome breather and cast iron exhaust manifolds. At the front of those heads, an authentic points distributor utilizes fresh Autolite Radio Resistance wires to light the cylinders' fires. And in front of that distributor, a thick radiator cycles water around correct factory air conditioning thanks to FoMoCo hoses and reproduction tower clamps. Aesthetically, this Mustang's well-detailed engine bay appears very close to original, featuring Satin Black paint under correct Ford decals. And everything, from the car's correct washer tank to its tagged Autolite battery, is fully sorted and ready to roll.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Take a look under this awesome drop-top and you'll find a clean, correctly restored chassis. Just aft of the legendary V8, a correct C6 3-speed, rebuilt by the pros at T-Jay's Transmissions of Riverhead New York, spins a tough Ford 9-inch around correct, 3.00 gears. At the front of the car, factory control arms hang correct power steering between correct power disc brakes. At the back of the car, stiff springs hang traditional, power-assisted drums at the edges of a leak-free fuel tank. In the middle of the car, a beefy, true-dual exhaust system funnels spent gases through an H-shaped crossover, small resonators, a transverse muffler and polished stainless tips. And at the edges of the car, power meets pavement through familiar Shelby 10-spokes and E70-15 Goodyear Speedways.

INTERIOR

Behind this Ford's glossy doors you'll find a clean Black interior that's stylish and correct. Everything, from the door panels and roll bar to the black carpet and pony-branded floor mats, appears factory-fresh. The ornate dash is loaded with rebuilt telemetry, and features vivid trim that's straight and tight. A correct Philco radio rides above small Stewart Warner accessory gauges, a chrome, cobra-branded shifter and a full-length, factory console. In front of the driver, you'll find a traditional, two-spoke steering wheel that's affixed to a correct Tilt-Away column. And behind the passengers, a completely restored trunk balances a full-size spare tire between a correct mat and new decklid decals.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

According to Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works, this clean drop-top was bolted together in Metuchen, New Jersey on February 23rd, 1968 and delivered to J. D. Ball Ford of Miami, Florida. Here's a thorough breakdown of the car's original door data and optional equipment:

DOOR DATA:

SERIAL NUMBER: 8T03SXXXXXX - XXXXX

* 8 – 1968 model year
* T – Built in Metuchen, New Jersey
* 03 – Shelby GT-500 Convertible
* S – 428 cubic inch 4V Police Interceptor engine
* XX,XXXth Mustang scheduled for production at Metuchen
* X,XXXrd Shelby scheduled for production
* 76B – Shelby Convertible
* R – Ford #3067-A Highland Green paint
* 6A – Black Décor bucket seats
* 21B – Scheduled for build on February 21st, 1968
* 8D2626 – Home Office Reserve ordering district under order number 2626
* 6 – 3.00 gears
* U – C6 automatic transmission

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

* White convertible top that features power operation and a glass backlite
* Visibility Group
* Wheel well moldings
* Power steering
* Power front disc brakes
* Tilt steering wheel
* Air conditioning
* AM radio
* Interior Décor Group
* Tinted glass
* Tachometer that includes a trip odometer

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OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

* Vintage Shelby marketing materials
* A copy of the car's original Shelby Individual Order
* A copy of the car's original Shelby invoice
* An Owner's Manual
* A 1968 inspection sticker
* 1968 DuPont Ford Automotive Refinish Colors paperwork
* Restoration photos
* Restoration receipts
* Cam specs
* The aforementioned Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report
* Paperwork from the car's Concours showing at the SAAC-34 Car Show
* The car's AACA nomination certificate
* A pair of Lucas driving lights
* A set of splash guards

Shelby Mustangs are about as collectible as '60s muscle cars get. They're fun to drive, fun to show and continue to be top-notch performers that hold their value exceptionally well. So, what pedigreed classic can you show with pride and make a nice return on? This GT500!