Frame Up Restored Shelby GT350 Convertible 302 V8

With prices of documented collector cars locked in a seemingly endless climb, many enthusiasts are beginning to rethink the old purists adage of 'original is always better'. And smart hobbyists who like actually driving their vintage hardware are beginning to buy slick, fully-sorted weekend cruisers like this 1968 Shelby GT350 tribute. After all, these classics were built to be seen and enjoyed on the open road, not garaged and dusted with an air compressor. And with a fire-breathing small block 302 that's centered in a fully restored California body, this Mustang will have you waving and smiling all day long! Looking for a great drop-top cruiser to enjoy this summer? Come experience this awesome GT350 and you won't even give the word 'original' a second thought!

Take one glance at this '68 Shelby's super slick body and you'll see what high quality craftsmanship truly looks like. A product of a complete restoration and build that was performed by a dedicated group of Mustang enthusiasts, its solid body was stripped to bare metal, thoroughly reworked and transformed from a tired old mare into a thoroughbred cruiser. Once that intense labor and high quality detail work resulted in better-than-factory fit and finish, a smooth and glossy coat of black urethane paint was sealed in a durable clearcoat shell, accented with laser straight GT350 decals and buffed to a fantastic shine. The result is one sharp pony car which looks good, runs great and is ready to turn heads for years to come.

Ford has ALWAYS sweated the details on the Mustang; and with its aggressive Shelby accents and well-maintained trim, this car presents a finished, high quality appearance which goes far beyond its nice paint and fresh decals. Up front, a functional fiberglass hood rides above a black mesh grille which props a traditional “SHELBY” header script above familiar round fog lights. At the top of that grille, silver twist locks provide a little added security on the strip. At sides of that grille, deep set headlights cap aggressive, ridged fenders. And below that grille a good looking chrome bumper perfectly complements a pair of wide-set chrome trimmed parking lights. At the top of the car, like-new glass is framed by fresh stainless trim, cleared by bright stainless wipers and capped by a white vinyl top. And at the sides of the car, traditional Shelby fender snakes hang between slick chrome mirrors, familiar chrome door handles, Shelby-style side scoops and dent-free rocker trim. At the back of the car, glossy peaked fenders frame a fiberglass Shelby decklid that's complete with a second old school “SHELBY” script. And a bright silver valence, which stretches around clear tail lights and a highly detailed Shelby fuel cap, tops another good looking chrome bumper, traditional chrome trimmed reverse lights and straight stainless exhaust tips.

With the body finished and the rest of the project well underway, it was time to find a suitable powerplant; and given this Mustang's predisposition to both class and muscle, a bolt in strip motor wouldn't quite do the trick. Twist the locks on the lightweight fiberglass hood and you'll find a 302 cubic inch Ford V8 which has been completely rebuilt and bathed in a sweet coat of bright blue paint. At the top of the engine a long “Cobra” branded air cleaner, which is fitted with a cool Shelby wing nut, feeds a Holley 4-barrel carburetor that's connected to a Holley electric fuel pump. At the base of that carburetor, a Holley Street Dominator aluminum intake rides between factory heads which prop chrome breathers on finned Cobra valve covers. In front of those heads, a reliable points distributor sends fire from a correct Autolite coil to gray silicone plug wires. In front of that distributor, new V-belts spin a fresh alternator, a fresh power steering pump and a traditional pulley fan. And at the sides of the block, ceramic coated headers send spent gases into a great sounding true dual exhaust system. Aesthetically, the clean small block sits in a completely restored engine bay which has been sprayed with traditional satin black paint. And nice pieces like correct decals, a tagged Autolite Sta-Ful battery and a Trans-Am Racing brake booster provide the visual punch to match the cars striking exterior panels.

What would a good restoration be without a great foundation? Take a look under this GT350 and you'll find rock solid floors above a straight chassis that's ready for years of carefree cruising. Behind the hot 302, a rebuilt C4 3-speed automatic transmission turns a tried and true Ford rear end. At the ends of the car, a restored double A-arm front and rear leaf spring suspension maximizes both launch and handling characteristics. And at the corners of the car, power front disc and rear drum brakes provide firm, fade-free stops. Step on the throttle and a fresh stainless fuel tank supplies gas to fresh stainless fuel lines while ceramic coated headers hurl exhaust into aluminized true dual pipes that breathe through aggressive dual chamber Flowmaster mufflers. Power is put to the pavement by a great looking set of 10-spoke Shelby alloy wheels that are wrapped in fresh 245/60/15 Cooper Cobra Radial G/Ts. And everything under this car from its stainless hardware to its Ford Blue oil pan is fully-sorted and ready to go!

Open the door to this awesome Mustang and you'll find a fully restored cockpit which mixes the best elements of Ford's black vinyl interior with stylish Shelby add-ons. The factory bucket seats wear new pleated covers between two piece lap belts and new chrome hardware; and the like-new dual cowl dash shows minimal signs of wear, warping or fading. Inside that dash, bright wood applique hangs a full assortment of fully rebuilt gauges above chrome knobs for the cars accessories and a direct fit Ford radio. Below that dash a stylish, full-length console props a traditional chrome T-handle between a cobra branded armrest and authentic Stewart Warner accessory gauges. And at the sides of that dash, 'layered' door panels feature pristine stainless trim, new chrome handles for the doors and windows and more great looking wood applique. The floors are occupied by new black carpet that's protected by heavy duty rubber floor mats. The car's structure is reinforced by a familiar black roll bar that's centered just between its seats. Behind the cockpit, a black convertible cowl snaps down over a fully restored and correctly finished trunk. And in front of the driver, an impressive tri-spoke steering wheel spins an authentic wood rim around a chrome, Mustang branded horn button.

There's simply nothing like keying up a legendary muscle car. The sound, the feeling of the idle, and the relentless surge of torque as you power through the gears. It's very rare to find a well-executed restoration which carries an asking price of roughly half its original build cost, but this Mustang is exactly that. And if you're looking for some highly desirable muscle that will provide years of weekend fun, and rack up more than its fair share of fans in the process, this is your kind of car!