1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 KR Fastback
(more pics below 👇)
Carroll Shelby introduced the “King of the Road” designation midway through the 1968 model year following Ford’s release of the 428 Cobra Jet engine. The fiberglass hood featured functional louvers and twin air scoops forming a ram-air induction system, with a plenum chamber feeding directly into the air cleaner.
Chrome bumpers spanned the substantial grille and housed rectangular driving lights, giving the KR a more aggressive front appearance. At the rear, the Shelby was distinguished by sequential-style taillights sourced from the 1965 Ford Thunderbird, a hallmark Shelby styling cue of the era.
Interior appointments balanced performance focus with luxury touches, including woodgrain dashboard and console trim, luxury-print bucket seats, and a deluxe wood-rimmed steering wheel. The Shelby Cobra emblem was prominently displayed on the center console armrest.
The 428-cubic-inch Cobra Jet engine utilized 427-based cylinder heads, a Holley 735-CFM carburetor, a hydraulic camshaft similar in profile to the 390 GT, and high-flow exhaust manifolds. Output was conservatively rated at 335 horsepower to satisfy insurance pressures, though actual output was widely believed to be closer to 400 horsepower, with 440 pound-feet of torque at 3,400 RPM.
Power was transmitted through either a four-speed Top Loader manual transmission or a C6 three-speed automatic. Production totaled 1,571 examples for 1968, consisting of 1,053 fastbacks and 518 convertibles.
Assembly took place at Ford’s Metuchen, New Jersey facility before shipment to A.O. Smith in Ionia, Michigan, where the Shelby-specific modifications were completed.
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