Chassis No. 8T03R210972 Arriving in 1968, the Shelby GT500 Convertible initially retained the 428 cu-in Police-Interceptor V8 before being replaced mid-year with the GT500 KR featuring the monstrously powerful 428 âCobra Jet.â The new âKing of the Roadâ gained higher-flowing 427-style cylinder heads, an upgraded crankshaft and connecting rods, a larger 715-CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor, a ram-air induction system, and free-flowing intake and exhaust manifolds meant the engine now churned out an astonishing 410 horsepower (underrated by Ford at 335 horsepower). Quicker in a straight line than the race-bred GT350, the availability of a convertible and a lengthy list of creature comforts including an automatic transmission, AM/FM stereo, and a functional rear seat suggested that the GT500 KR was also the Shelby for the street. This 1968 GT500 KR Convertible, one of 518 built that year, is documented by its accompanying Deluxe Marti Report as being manufactured on 25 June 1968, finished in Special Ford Yellow (WT6066) with Black Decor bucket seats (6AA)âone of just 49 examples painted in this distinctive color that year. Built at the Metuchen assembly plant and converted to Shelby specifications at A.O. Smith, it was delivered new to Northwestern Ford in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in November 1968. Equipped with the powerful 428 Cobra Jet engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission, other factory options included a Black power top, GT Equipment Group, Visibility Group, power steering, power front disc brakes, tilt-away steering column, AM radio, and the Interior Decor Group. According to the carâs restorer Pete Disher, the Shelbyâs first owner, Bruce Weimer, took delivery of the car in January 1969, followed by Dan Parmenter of Appleton, Wisconsin, and later Scott Nehlsen in 1978. Under Nehlsen's ownership, the car reportedly garnered numerous local show accolades before the initiation of a rotisserie restoration by Disher in 1994. While the bodywork and paint were completed to original specifications, the project stalled and remained incomplete until Robert and Jackie Heineman acquired the car in 2001. The restoration resumed in earnest in October 2003, during which time the engine was refreshed and reinstalled. The completed car made its debut at the Shelby American Automobile Club convention where it achieved a Silver Award. Three detailed binders accompany the car, containing restoration invoices, photographs, Shelby build documentation, and a chronicle of its journey through multiple Wisconsin-based owners. Today, the Shelby shows wonderful attention to detail throughout, with its original body tags and buck tag still in place. The carâs striking Special Ford Yellow finish is nicely contrasted by black âG.T.500 KRâ rocker stripes and complemented by restored ten-spoke wheels mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. This is a superb example of its type, ideal for showing or driving as Carroll Shelby intended it to be: the âKing of the Road.â
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- VIN Code8T03R210972
