According to research executed by a previous owner, this Shelby GT 350 Convertible was built on May 22, 1968, and was one of 50 vehicles used as a Ford Executive vehicle in California until June 1969. At this point, the 50 cars were shipped to 50 Ford dealers throughout the United States for sale to the general public.
This particular car was delivered to Underwood Motor Co. “Fordland” in Clinton, Michigan. According to the original purchase order and sales receipt (which come with the car), an agreement was reached to buy the car on June 19, 1969, when the new owner put down $20.00, traded in his 1964 Mercury Comet four-door sedan (valued at $753.80) and his signature to pay the $3,280.00 balance. The Statement of Vehicle Sale from Underwood Motor Co. is dated June 27, 1969, issued at the time of the sales completion. The new owner enjoyed his stewardship of the Shelby for the next 31 years.
When the next owner purchased the GT 350 in October 2000, the car had less than 40,000 miles on the odometer, and to his great surprise he located the original build sheet in the car. Now showing just over 50,000 miles on the odometer; of the 4,451 Shelby Mustangs built in 1968, only 404 were GT 350 convertibles. Finished in fresh Acapulco Blue with a black vinyl interior and a black soft-top with the two-piece folding glass rear window; the car is also fitted with Shelby cast-aluminum 10-spoke wheels. Power is derived from the famous 302-cid, 250-hp V-8 engine connected to a Top Loader four-speed, close-ratio manual transmission. Additional equipment found on the Shelby includes overhead safety bar with tie-down loops, inertia-reel shoulder harnesses, tilt steering wheel, Dzus twist-type hood locks, Lucas FT8 foglamps, driver’s side mirror remote, deluxe steering wheel, wheel lip moldings; power steering and brakes. The Shelby has full instrumentation, including oil pressure gauge, ammeter gauge and clock.
This is a great example of Carroll Shelby’s legendary Mustang that helped launch a generation of enthusiasts.