When Ford muscled up its Mustang for the model’s first update in 1967, Carroll Shelby was ready. The updated Mustang had beefier bodywork and an enlarged engine bay, two things that worked well with Shelby’s recipe of street-legal, race-ready performance.

Shelby specified fiberglass panels to save weight up front, while a roll bar integrated inside hinted at the way select owners may actually use their cars. Ford made the basic Mustang handle better, giving Shelby an even better platform to work with.

For 1968, Shelby bowed to demand and offered the first convertible GT350. With its distinctive, functional roll bar, the GT350 Convertible offered a high performance driving experience. A revised hood sat over new square driving lamps integrated into the grille. Under the hood, the GT350 was powered by the respected 250 horsepower, 302 cubic inch V-8 engine.

This particular example has approximately 78,000 original miles, and it has been treated to a high-end restoration which looks fantastic. It is finished in its correct-from-new code I Lime Gold paint with Black interior. During the restoration process, great care was taken in the sourcing of correct and original Shelby/Ford components, such as the Lucas foglights.

Backed by an Elite Marti Report; of the 404 GT350 convertibles built in 1968, this Shelby represents one of only six that received factory Selectaire air conditioning - a very rare machine indeed. A convertible with air was uncommon at the time; especially on a pure performance car.

Among the other features on this outstanding Shelby is Select-O-Matic automatic transmission, tinted glass, shoulder harness, power steering, power brakes with front discs, tilt steering wheel, pushbutton AM radio, white power-operated top with glass backlite, heavy-duty battery, Visibility Group, Interior Décor Group, wheel lip moldings, and tachometer with trip odometer.

According to its Elite Marti Report and the original Shelby sales invoice, this GT350 was delivered new to Lynch-Davidson Ford on Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida. Its cost when new totaled $5,116.50 out the door, with a base price of $4,238.14. A very nice array of books and paperwork are also included.

This rare Shelby appears to be in impeccable condition; the style is unmistakable with Shelby ten-spoke wheels and Goodyear white letter tires. The engine bay is very well detailed down to an Autolite battery. Inside, its black vinyl upholstery is in excellent condition and it features correct Shelby and GT350 badging.

Shelby’s from this era continue to capture the attention they received from day one and remain one of the muscle car era’s most desired machines. Throw in the fact that this is a quite rare, one-of-six air conditioned 350GT convertible that is well-documented, and you intuitively know that it’s a very special platform for you to experience. Some may conclude it’s the perfect device for shrinking time and distance.