After getting tipped off that Chevrolet was about to release a new version of the Corvette called the “King of the Road,” Carroll Shelby called his trade dress lawyer in Washington to see if anyone had secured rights to the name; turns, out no one had. Since he had always wanted to use that moniker for one of his cars, his lawyer secured the rights the very next day, and Carroll Shelby christened the new Cobra Jet-powered Shelby the GT500 KR: The King of the Road.

Nineteen-sixty-eight marked the first year for a Shelby GT convertible, available on the GT350, GT500, as well as the top-of-the-line GT500 KR. The GT500 KR was powered by the legendary 428 Cobra Jet and featured an aggressive front-end design, including a hood with functional louvers and huge, twin air-scoops along the leading edge—creating a true “ram-air” intake system with under-hood plenum mounted directly to a steel air cleaner. Additionally, the cars featured 428 Cobra Jet fender badges and a Cobra Jet fuel filler cap. The new convertible design included a rubber-padded tubular steel rollbar that extended down to the floor. A unique cross-chest shoulder seatbelt debuted with the 1968 Shelby convertibles, housed in the interior trim panel, giving the fixed rollbar a sleeker look with no dangling belts like in the fastbacks. Two small eyelets on top of the rollbar were securing points for beachgoers with surfboards…or brave convertible travelers with skis. With the top down, the new Shelby convertibles had a sharp, targa-like appearance.

This 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Convertible was built on 4 June 1968. It was finished in Acapulco Blue over a Saddle Vinyl Luxury interior and, of course, got the 428 Cobra Jet underhood. The engine was backed by a C-6 automatic transmission which sent power to a 3.00:1 conventional rear axle. It was further equipped with shoulder harnesses, a white convertible power top with glass backlight, GT equipment group, visibility group, power disc brakes, power steering, tilt-away steering wheel, SelectAire air conditioner, AM radio, interior décor group, tinted glass, as well as a tachometer and trip odometer.

Upon completion, it was shipped to Smith Motor Imports in San Antonio, Texas. The car was purchased new by Elida G. Garcia of San Antonio, Texas, who would go on to own the car until 1977 when it was purchased by Fred Berry. In 1988 the car would change hands once again but remain in San Antonio under Thomas M. Murry’s ownership. He would sell the car in 1990 to Steve Foster of Norman, Oklahoma. The Shelby was then featured in the June 1992 issue of Mustang Illustrated and the January 1995 issue of Mustang Monthly. According to the SAAC Registry, the car was also shown at the 1993 Dallas Autorama and the 1994 Concours d’Elegance Dallas. Two subsequent owners are listed in the SAAC Registry. The Shelby joined a respected Pacific Northwest private collection in June 2011. In March 2025, over $9,000 in service was completed, with an invoice on file. Notably, in May 2025, the car’s serial number was verified by the SAAC Registry, with documentation on file.

One of 518 GT500 KR convertibles produced for 1968, this nicely equipped Acapulco Blue over Saddle example benefits from SAAC Registry documentation and is accompanied by a Deluxe Marti Report, as well as a copy of the car’s shipping ledger entry.