1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastback

During its online sale March Open Roads, RM Sotheby's is offering up this stunning 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastback, which is currently bid up to € 100,000 with eight days left on the clock. The bid will close the March 25th.

01.jpg

This GT500 is very well named KR aka King of the Road, no ?

02.jpg

If you want to bid on cars I've presented in previous posts, here's a follow-up :

ModelCurrent BidPost
1962 Porsche 356 B Carrera 2€ 195,000More

History of Shelby GT500

line_hive.jpg

After the GT350, the Shelby GT500 was an idea of Carroll Shelby, famous American automotive designer behind the legendary 289 Cobra who wanted to combine the Shelby's design to the new Ford Mustang.

"It was a match made in heaven." (source : RM Sotheby's)

03.jpg

In 1968, Ford launched its new 428 engine known as the Cobra Jet. Carroll Shelby installed this motor on the GT 500. The GT 500 KR, King of the Road, was born...

Just to remember the Cobra 289, a small picture of this other wonder, the perfect mix between British design and American horsepower (Ford V8 engine with a chassis from AC Ace, British automobile manufacturer):

cobra.jpg

1964 Shelby Cobra 289 (source : Bonhams)

Back to the GT500 design :

line_hive.jpg

line_hive.jpg

Specification

line_hive.jpg

With the new Cobra-Jet 428 cu V8 engine, the GT 500 KR produced about 400 hp, much more than the 335 hp officially announced (in order to fool competitors and insurance companies. I like the last point 😀).

This example is one of 125 examples produced with four-speed manual transmission and air conditionning. The KR had many upgrades in order to be the best of the best :
🚗 low-riser heads from the 427 engine,
🚗 better crank, rods and pistons,
🚗 larger brakes...

10.jpg

This exemple is finished in Acapulco blue (great name for a color it makes you want to travel) over black vinyl interior. The car was fully restored in 2013, coachwork and engine. So beautiful... a pure beast. And in 2008, the passager sun visor was autographed by Carroll Shelby, cool little extra !

line_hive.jpg

line_hive.jpg

Is this the car of your dreams ?

Sale

line_hive.jpg

Model :Shelby GT500 KR Fastback
Where :RM Sotheby's Open Roads
When :From March 17 to 25
Estimated Price :€ 200,000 - €240,000
Current Price :€ 100,000

line_hive.jpg

Sources

RM Sotheby's Open Roads
Lot : Shelby GT500 KR Fastback

Wikipedia :
Shelby GT500
Carroll Shelby

line_hive.jpg

Previous Post

Porsche 356 B Carrera 2 >
De Tomaso Pantera GTS
Aston Martin DB2/4
Renault Alpine A110
Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupé
Maserati 3500 GT Coupé

line_hive.jpg

H2
H3
H4
3 columns
2 columns
1 column
Join the conversation now
Ecency