Investment Grade Shelby GT500KR 428 Cobra Jet 4 Speed

Here at RK Motors Charlotte we have a tradition of offering you the best collector cars on the planet. And while it's our job to facilitate transactions which make diehard car enthusiasts dreams come true, we also enjoy parading guests around and telling them all about the legendary metal that adorns our massive showroom. So, when the ink dried on the $170K contract for our Acapulco Blue "'King of the Road' Shelby":http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold/1968-Ford-Shelby-Mustang-GT500KR/132809#!/ last week, it's fair to say we were all a little sad. Fortunately, our dedicated staff was already hot on the trail of another GT500KR; and when this spectacular Candyapple Red coupe rolled through the doors, we simply couldn't wait to upload it to our website! Equipped with factory sheetmetal, a numbers matching 428/4-speed drivetrain and a whole roster of original components, it's a pristine example of one of the finest muscle cars ever produced. If you're a discerning enthusiast who demands the very best in high caliber investment grade classics, this fully documented Shelby is the car for you!

According to the custom framed Marti Auto Works Elite Report that's included with the sale of this stellar pony car, it was assembled on June 7th of 1968 in Metuchen, New Jersey with the following door data and options:

DOOR PLATE:

* 8 - 1968 Model Year
* T - Assembled in Metuchen, New Jersey
* 02 – Shelby Fastback
* R - 428-4V CJ Engine GT-500KR
* 110,361st Mustang scheduled for production at Ford's Metuchen assembly plant
* 3,745th Shelby scheduled for production
* 63B – Shelby Fastback
* T - Candyapple Red Paint: Ford #2008-A
* 5AA – Black Knitted Décor Bucket Seats
* 18F - Scheduled For Build on June 18th, 1968
* 8D2999 – Home Office Reserve Ordering District Under Domestic Special Order Number 2999
* H - 3.50 Traction-Lok Axle Ratio
* 5 - 4-Speed Manual Transmission

OPTIONS:

* GT Equipment Group
* Visibility Group
* Sport Deck Rear Seat
* Power Steering
* Power Front Disc Brakes
* Tilt-Away Steering Column
* AM Radio
* Interior Décor Group

Assembled eleven days ahead of schedule, this awesome 1968 GT500KR was shipped to Eger Motors Incorporated in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and likely spent very little time in the showroom window before its big power and big style were unleashed on small town streets. After roughly three decades of excellent maintenance and accident free driving, Tony Conover of Conover Racing and Restoration was contracted for a highly detailed, frame-off rebuild which included stripping and reworking all the car's original panels into a super smooth surface with laser straight lines. Once that surface was fully prepped and displayed an excellent level of fit and finish, a correct coat of Ford code T Candyapple Red basecoat was buried in a thick clearcoat shell, decorated with correct GT500 KR side stripes and buffed to a fantastic shine. Today this Shelby, which appraised for $196K at the end of its no-holds-barred restoration, is a top notch show piece that can anchor any serious muscle car collection or hedge any major investment portfolio.

The GT500 threw fuel on the muscle car fire by not only adding power, but also introducing some of the coolest and most aggressive Mustang design cues ever created. At the leading edge of this KR a pristine chrome bumper dissects original stainless trim which frames an original Shelby grille and original Lucas driving lights. At the top of that grille, a familiar “SHELBY” script leads the eye to an original fiberglass hood that's accented by satin black war paint; and at the sides of that grille, clear FoMoCo headlights prop original headlight buckets above an original lower valence that's complete with bullet style parking lamps. At the top of the car, a combination of new and original glass is framed by bright stainless trim, satin stainless wipers, a correct driver's side mirror and an original Shelby decklid. At the sides of the car original Shelby scoops and original Shelby fender caps combine with factory fresh “428 Cobra Jet” emblems, dent-free stainless rocker moldings and traditional chrome door handles to provide an aggressive, yet finished appearance. And at the back of the car an original rear valence, which wears a smooth coat of bright silver paint, centers original tail lights and an original Cobra Jet fuel filler between a bold “SHELBY” script, a second pristine chrome bumper, highly detailed reverse lamps and KR-exclusive quad exhaust tips.

Now that you've waded through all the flowery prose about paint and stainless trim, it's time to get down to business. Lift this Shelby's glossy red hood and you'll find an original 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet V8 that's been freshly rebuilt from its carburetor all the way down to its (E) May 9th (9) of 1968 (8) casting date. Long regarded as one of the most iconic Ford mills ever created, the new-for-1968 428 FE motor utilizes a strengthened medium block, heavy duty connecting rods, a nodular iron crankshaft and larger valves and ports to produce an advertised 335 horsepower and an actual 410 horsepower. At the top of the engine, an original ram air cowl induction system hovers over a correctly decaled air cleaner which feeds an original C80F-AA Holley 4-barrel carburetor. Below that carburetor, cast iron heads hang original crinkle finish Cobra LeMans valve covers, which are complete with a chrome Autolite breather, next to an original C80E cast iron intake. Fire is provided by a chrome covered coil which sends spark to a familiar points distributor and correct Autolite Radio Resistance plug wires. Cooling is provided by the car's original C8ZE radiator which sends water past a factory replacement fan through fresh Autolite hoses and correct clamps. Spent gases are whisked through original cast iron exhaust manifolds into a free flowing, factory replacement exhaust system. Charging is provided by fresh V-belts which spin an original alternator, an original power steering pump and an original smog system via original pulleys. And in front of the engine, a tagged Autolite Sta-Ful battery, which is connected to authentic Autolite cables, sits opposite a “FoMoCo” branded washer fluid tank. Aesthetically, the exceptionally detailed engine bay appears very close to original and features an even combination of satin black and Ford Blue paint under correct Ford decals and correct factory chalk marks. And everything, from the car's restored hood hardware and silver accessory brackets to its Motorcraft oil filter and familiar orange shocks is fully-sorted and absolutely spotless.

Take one look under this awesome GT500KR and you'll find exceptionally clean, expertly detailed floors which are every bit as original as the car's straight exterior panels. Behind the legendary Cobra Jet V8 an original close ratio Top Loader 4-speed transmission, which is branded with a 1968-exclusive RUG-A-E build stamp, spins an original driveshaft that's connected to a correct Ford nine inch Traction-Lok rear end. At the front of the car, a rebuilt double A-arm suspension holds a correct sway bar and a rebuilt power steering system between original power disc brakes. At the back of the car, a rebuilt leaf spring suspension holds correct drum brakes at the edges of a new stainless fuel tank. And in the middle of the car, a factory replacement dual exhaust system funnels spent gases through an H-pipe crossover to excellent sounding glasspack mufflers and KR-exclusive stainless tips. Power flows to the pavement through modern 225/70 BF Goodrich Radial T/As that are wrapped around concours reproduction Shelby 10-spoke wheels. And everything from the accurately over-sprayed floors to the correct chalk marks and bright orange shocks looks as good, or better, than the day the car rolled out of the factory.

Inside this killer pony car's impressive cockpit you'll find a correct black bucket seat interior that's a combination of both well-maintained original trim and high quality restoration pieces. Naturally, Ol' Shel focused most of his energy on the performance and exterior appearance of the car; and when those attributes were combined with Ford's already excellent Mustang interior, it paid big dividends. The first thing you'll notice is an original wood rimmed and chrome trimmed steering wheel which, thanks to a consistently malfunctioning Tilt-Away system, now sits on a new standard column. Above that column, a great looking dash frames a correct 140 MPH speedometer, a correct 8,000 RPM tachometer and a correct Philco AM radio in fresh wood trim. And in front of that column, original knitted vinyl seats are in spectacular shape both front and back, and present no evidence of sun damage or rot. At the center of the car, a correct full-length console anchors an original Shelby shifter between a correct Cobra branded armrest and authentic Stewart Warner accessory gauges. Below that console, like-new black carpet is stretched tight between authentic, Shelby branded sill plates and original Shelby laps belts. And above that console, a sturdy black roll bar hangs original Shelby shoulder belts just below an original black headliner and an autographed sun visor. At the sides of the cockpit, original black door panels feature excellent stainless trim, spotless chrome handles and new wood accents. And at the back of the cockpit, familiar Shelby pillar vents ride above a Sport Deck rear seat which folds down to reveal a surprisingly spacious cargo hold.

The sale of this investment grade Shelby includes the car's original owner's manual, a list of the car's original parts, a reproduction Shelby order form, a reproduction Shelby invoice, the framed Marti Report outlined above, a 2004 appraisal that was completed before the car's restoration, and a 2006 Appraisal that was completed after the car's restoration.

There are few cars that have the kind of attitude and presence of an old school Shelby. And if previous trends are any indication, these cars will continue to gain value as they become more exclusive and more collectible. This highly original 1968 GT500KR is a fully documented, fully-sorted classic which drives and sounds every bit as good as it looks. If you're a dedicated purist who desires only the best, here's your chance to own the ultimate muscle car!