Fantasy Junction

Description

1968 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible
s/n 8T03S11598400126
Lime Green with Black Interior

In 1965, Carroll Shelby put his name on his first K-coded Mustang fastback, hoping to sell a few cars primarily to fund his racing endeavors. The modest GT350, however, was perfectly timed to become an American icon. Packing a potent 289/271 hp engine and a host of other significant performance modifications, the end result was not only a remarkable performance car, but the foundation for all Shelby cars to come. The marketing genius of Carroll Shelby linked with Ford race support made one thing clear - if you wanted a capable American performance car that could compete against higher priced European offerings, the Shelby was a great choice. Shelby had created a performance leader, offering American reliability with sports car handling, while dismissing any worries over costly maintenance or difficulties acquiring European parts.

By 1968, sales and popularity of the Shelby brand was at an all-time high. Shelby American invested more money developing unique and more elaborate modifications to further differentiate Shelby offerings from the standard Mustang. The model line expanded with the GT350 and GT500 in both fastback and convertible body styles, receiving a new grille, new front fascia, integrated rear spoiler, unique vents and extractors along the side and sail panels, new cast alloy wheels, fog lamps, and sequential taillights. Inside the car a deluxe interior with a fully integrated roll bar was featured along with a full complement of instrumentation and of course, race inspired amenities.

This particular car is one of only 402 GT500 convertibles produced in 1968. One of 153 assembled at the factory with the “S” code 428 engine (360 hp output, more than the standard Cobra Jet) and 4-speed transmission, it is the 126th Shelby scheduled for production that year. According to the Marti Report (the definitive and recognized Mustang and Shelby documentation entity) and supporting research documents accompanying the car, this early production Shelby was ordered for build August 7, 1967, serialized November 9, 1967, and built at the Metuchen, New Jersey plant, November 19, 1967 (a week ahead of schedule). Delivered to Corpus Cristi, TX dealer Lewis Boggus Motors Inc., the car was delivered from the factory painted Lime Green Metallic with white Shelby body stripes, 4-speed manual transmission, deluxe black interior, and 3:50 axle ratio. The following options were also ordered and delivered new on the car:

Black Convertible Power Top with Glass Backlite
Extra Cooling Package
Visibility Group
Wheel Well Moldings
Power Steering
Power Front Disc Brakes
AM Radio
Interior Décor Group
Heavy Duty Battery

The first documented owner was Arthur Work of Corpus Cristi, TX. Records indicate that warranty work was performed early in ownership until the car was sold in 1982 to Paul Gerber, NM. Ownership records accompanying the car indicate Gerber then sold the car on May 20, 1989 to James Faline, Phoenix, AZ. At that time, the Bill of Sale indicates the car had 90,869 miles on the odometer. Referencing records accompanying the car, Faline has the engine professionally rebuilt and by the early 90s commits to a restoration, painting it red and installing a white top and white body stripes. Having spent well over $30,000.00, this first restoration is supported by several pages noting numerous detailed parts and components to complete the car to a high standard. By 1993 the car is sold to the next owner Stephen Marceau whose ownership appears to last into the late 1990s. By 2003, the car is sold to Jeff Morehouse, TX and subsequently restored again, this time to a very high level with particularly careful attention paid to details including the correct exterior color, accurate hardware, fasteners, correct factory finishes, and proper Shelby features. During the restoration, the car was updated with a period correct FoMoCo air-conditioning unit and all proper accessories supporting factory installation. Also added to the car is a factory optional tilt-steering wheel. In addition to the records supporting previous ownership history, former owners have gathered copies of extensive internal Shelby American documents showing the build of this car, the order sequence, and other reference literature for this rare car.

Today this Shelby GT 500 convertible presents in excellent condition. The correct Lime Green paint is glossy, contains the proper density metal flake, and shows excellent depth throughout. A few minor paint imperfections are notable when viewing the finish up close particularly at the front of the car, including one surface crack on the forward portion of the fiberglass hood. The hood, doors, and trunk lid show very good panel gaps and proper fitting to the body, consistent with production fitment of the period. The fiberglass hood shows only minor deviation from the inboard fender lines, though markedly better than original versions which often were quite poor. The exterior chrome and various polished trim, emblems, and badges are all in excellent condition, having been correctly restored and finished per original specifications. Of particular note is the nicely finished grille surround, wheel trim, and bumper chrome, often distorted or poorly aligned even in top level restorations. Even the stainless trim shows little to no haze or fogging. The glass, lenses, and lighting have excellent finishes combined with clean rubber and gasket material installed during the restoration, continuing to hold up well. The black convertible top is in excellent condition, easily raised and lowered with a clear rear glass folding panel. The correct type Shelby American reproduction wheels are in excellent condition, shod with BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires, which are in very good visual condition with ample tread.

The deluxe black interior features an excellent combination of beautifully finished original and correct interior components with properly restored finishes done to a high standard. The front and rear seats, door panels and the dashboard are correctly grained and textured per factory finishes. The dash pad is in excellent condition as are the faux woodgrain panels and chrome plating on the dashboard inserts. The odometer currently shows 19,059, which is very likely 119,059 original miles consistent with recorded previous sales transactions. The interior is finished off with correct black low pile carpeting and correct date coded Shelby-clasp seatbelts as well as a beautifully finished unique Shelby roll bar. The wood rimmed Shelby steering wheel is in excellent condition, mounted to a factory optional tilt mechanism, nicely accenting the race inspired interior. The interior of the trunk is properly finished with a correct-print rubber mat, spare wheel, and proper manufacturer stickers reflecting the attention to detail consistent throughout the restoration.

Under the hood, the correctly finished legendary 428 engine is presented with proper components, reflective of factory assembly, restored with careful attention to detail. The painted finishes have been applied with originality in mind, assembled with correct hardware, proper spring tension hose clamps, selected FoMoCo hoses, and displaying the proper engine compartment identification labels, correct orange Koni shock absorbers, correct period Autolite red-cap battery, and correct black textured Cobra air cleaner and valve covers. The overall finish is excellent and properly presented, reflective of an accurate restoration showing only mild patina since completed.

Underneath the car the metalwork retains the correct 1968 frame rails and structural ribbing typical of factory construction. Now finished to a very high standard, with properly exposed red-oxide primer on the main floor sections and correctly fogged body color paint from the perimeter rocker sections. Brake lines, cables, exhaust, wiring, and hardware are correctly represented and very clean, including an accurate reproduction exhaust system. The underside is correct and shows no visual evidence of structural compromise. Suspension points, differential, front suspension mounts, and the generally clean underside further reflect the quality of the restoration throughout, one that would surely impress high level expert Shelby judges.

The car starts easily and runs smoothly, delivering that welcome and potent throaty big block V8 sound that has captured the hearts of so many performance car enthusiasts. The rare “S” code 428 with 360 horsepower on tap is snappy and immediate through the 4bbl carburetor and out the chrome tipped dual exhaust. First gear releases a quick burst of power off the line as the engine climbs into the higher revs lunging you back in your seat while pure American torque surges you forward. Into second gear and you are rapidly approaching freeway speeds as you enter third gear. Despite the large V8 engine, the suspension is responsive in corners with smooth and quick power delivery even when mildly cruising. Ride is composed and solid even by modern standards when achieving freeway speeds – a tribute to the remarkable engineering from the same era that sent NASA’s astronauts to the moon. With the top down, the large open cabin delivers effortless driving pleasure, offering the added plus of ample power on tap with a flick of the gearshift and a quick foot to the floor.

Accompanying the car is a file folder filled with copies of factory reference documentation showing Shelby build codes, ownership paperwork supporting previous history, restoration invoices for parts, service records including detailed notations for mechanical components detailing the previous extensive work performed on the car, as well as a manual, and several mechanical and interior trim extra replaced under the current ownership period as photographed in the gallery.

This 1968 Shelby GT 500 4-speed convertible is ready for enjoyable driving and showing. Correctly restored and documented by previous enthusiast owners, this beautiful and rare Shelby offers high-performance open motoring to the next automotive enthusiast ready to enjoy the power and excitement of driving a correctly restored performance legend.

This Ford Shelby GT 500 Convertible is currently titled in California as a 1968 Ford to the ID number: 8T03S11598400126

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608