Midway through the 1968 model year, Shelby introduced the GT500 KR. Standing for, quite simply, “King of the Road,” the KR suffix was appropriate—and admittedly, more than a little cocky on the part of both Shelby and Ford Motor Company. The latest Shelby was fitted with Ford’s hottest version of the 428-cubic-inch Cobra-Jet V-8 offering an advertised 335 horsepower (though estimates put the number closer to 400 horsepower).

The performance was noteworthy: Hot Rod magazine tested a GT500 KR fastback, smoking the quarter mile in 14.01 seconds at 102.73 mph. Car Life was not so fortunate, as the car they were to test was stolen and later recovered by the LAPD in no shape for evaluation! With a note of humor, Car Life’s writer Allan Girdler titled his headline, “Shelby’s Cobra GT500KR – Was it Worth Stealing?” Girdler went on to say, “The KR’s invincibility doesn’t matter. The car is so impressive, so intimidating to challengers, that there are no challengers. The KR breeds confidence bordering on arrogance. The KR driver coasts along, mighty engine rumbling, and looks with a condescending smile on the driver of a lesser car who creeps away from the lights, knuckles white on the steering wheel.”

According to the accompanying Deluxe Marti Report, this Shelby was built at Ford’s Metuchen, New Jersey facility on 3 June 1968. It was delivered to Minar Ford in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a retail sale price of $5060.60. It remained available until 23 December 196,8 when it was sold to its first owner, William E. Glass, also of Minneapolis. Options include power steering and power front disc brakes, power convertible top (in white), automatic transmission, GT Equipment Group, Visibility Group, Interior Décor Group, Tilt-Away steering column, AM radio, tachometer and trip odometer, and the signature Shelby 15-inch, ten-spoke cast aluminum wheels. 1,571 GT500 KRs were produced in 1968, including 518 convertibles—of which 251 were equipped with the automatic transmission.

Wearing an older repaint in Raven Black, the car features its original interior and both the glovebox and sun visor have been signed by Carroll Shelby. It retains the original Shelby body tags and buck tag. A Deluxe Marti Report is available for inspection and the vehicle has been documented on the Shelby Registry. The owner’s manual and the original Shelby key chain tag and keys are included.