In 1968 with the building lease running out and production requests rising Shelby shifted production from their California facility to one closer to the Ford headquarters in Michigan. With the changes surrounding the car Carroll Shelby was slowly losing control over the car he once helped create. For 1968 a GT 350 convertible model was offered for the first time. The Shelby GT 350 was offered through 1970.

This Shelby GT 350, 02878, can be found in the SAAC registry with a brief early history of the vehicle. It was shipped to Town & Country Ford in Charlotte, North Carolina on 4/11/68. A little over a month later on 5/20/68 the car was purchased by Larry Parker. From there the car was serviced once in 1968 and twice in 1969 but by 1970 its documented history and whereabouts were not known.

This Shelby is presented in Acapulco Blue with a black vinyl convertible top; and rides on Goodyear tires mounted on Shelby cast-aluminum 10-spoke wheels. The car is described as having benefitted from a cosmetic restoration to original specifications and near concours standards. The car retains the original Carlite windshield, Ford acid-etched logo headlights, and factory Ford VIN tag on the door. The radiator support and fiberglass molded headlight extensions both appear to be original. It’s reported this car most recently resided on the West Coast.

This Shelby GT 350 is powered by a 302-cid, 250-hp V-8 engine featuring the factory aluminum intake and carburetor. The glorious sound of the Shelby GT 350’s V-8 is emitted through a dual exhaust system. The engine is paired to a four-speed manual transmission. Equipment on the car includes a power convertible top, steering and brakes.

The interior is completed in black featuring bucket seats separated by a center console and a Philco AM radio. The Shelby GT 350 has full instrumentation, including an oil pressure gauge, ammeter gauge and clock. Additional equipment found on the Shelby includes overhead safety bar, inertia-reel shoulder harnesses, tilt steering wheel, Dzus twist-type hood locks, Lucas foglamps, sequential taillights, remote driver’s side mirror, and wheel lip moldings.

This is an excellent opportunity to own a desirable Shelby GT 350 convertible with a great color combination. Shelby production for 1968 totaled 4,451 and of those only 404 were GT 350 convertibles, making this quite a rare vehicle.