1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 KR

Ultra Rare Factory Black - KING of the ROAD - 428 Cobra Jet.Ford was never content to ride the Mustang popularity and was committed to put forward 'the next 'hot item in the street wars' with assistance from Carroll Shelby. The legendary Texan race car driver and famed Cobra builder was instructed to develop a high performance Mustang to challenge the Corvette in racing. The 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Cobra Jet is one of the most recognized achievements of the collaboration that came out in April as a mid-year introduction. It had a brand-new version of the 428 Police Interceptor engine fitted with improved-breathing heads and larger exhaust manifolds giving birth to the 428 Cobra Jet. The GT500 KR or "the King of the Road" powered by a pavement eating Cobra-Jet 428 engine was deviously rated at only 335 horsepower to fool the competition and the insurance companies. The engine in fact, pumped out at least 400 horsepower. Additionally, the KR had larger brakes, under-hood suspension bracing, and staggered rear shocks to prevent axle wind-up and wheel hop, making the KR just that - King of the Road - gaining iconic status almost immediately. The Shelby GT500 KR retailed for around $4,500 back in 1968. Limited production and awesome power places the 1968 GT500 KR as one of the most collectible 'Stangs of all time.

This fully restored beautiful factory Raven Black with Black interior Shelby GT500 KR rolled off the assembly line at the Metuchen N.J. plant July 24, 1968. Ultra rare in Raven Black, representing less than seven percent of the 1053 Fastbacks, this is a show stopper muscle car. The 428 CJ engine has a single four barrel carburetor and is mated to a Top-Loader four-speed manual transmission with Traction-Lok 3.50 rear end.  Shelby unique features include a Cobra-badged steering wheel and striped gear shift knob. Other features included power and Tilt-Away steering, dual chrome side mirrors/driver remote, 8000-rpm Tach, 140-mph speedometer, Sport Deck rear seat, visibility equipment group, power front disc brakes and AM radio. Goodyear white letter Speedway tires are mounted on the distinctive aluminum 10-spoke Shelby Cobra wheels. And of course the famous padded roll bar with attached inertia-reel shoulder harness.

This fully documented factory 4-speed "King of the Road" Shelby is referenced on pages 156 & 719 in the Shelby Registry in addition to having its Marti Report and copy of the factory build sheet. Overall this Shelby is in beautiful condition inside and out including a very detailed undercarriage.

Advertisements in the day stated "Carroll Shelby"¦combined Ford's new drag champion 428 CJ with his complete road car"¦Result the Cobra GT 500-KR"¦King of the Road". The KR, a title backed up repeatedly on both the street and strip.