The 1968 Shelby GT 350 was touted as being a “complete surprise” that needed to be tried. Carroll Shelby reasoned that a true GT needed everything for high performance pleasure, with comfort and safety engineered into the platform instead of being tacked on equipment as afterthought options. That is why when you first experience one of these legendary machines, it is quite common to be astonished in its style with its subtle changes in the hood, grille, sides and rear deck that offered a fresh and exclusive look. Interior luxuries were also found with bucket seats, walnut woodgrain appliques, front center console, courtesy lights and complete instrumentation. Even a rollbar was standard on all models.

Performance on the GT 350 was courtesy of a Shelby-prepared 302-cid, 250-hp HiPo four-barrel carb V-8 engine that produces smooth usable power, in this case connected to an automatic transmission. This road car had features that were designed and incorporated by racecar builders that allowed you to enjoy ribbons of road to the best of your abilities.

Accompanied by an Elite Marti Report and also listed in the Shelby Registry; this car continues to be seen in its confirmed color combination of code D Acapulco Blue with Black décor vinyl bucket seats and a white power-operated convertible top with glass backlite. The order for this car was received on February 7, 1968 and scheduled for build on March 12th, but was actually turned out on March 6th. The car’s destination was Bill Currie Ford, Inc. at 3319 Florida Avenue in Tampa, Florida and arrived on the lot on April 25, 1968 with an MSRP of $4,746.15 and a dealer cost of $3,915.31. After having a short life as a dealer demonstrator and being serviced for a few glitches, the Shelby was purchased by William Anderson of Sarasota, Florida on January 8, 1969. Mr. Anderson had a further series of anomalies attended to by the dealer and the history picks up with the car being restored by a subsequent owner in 1987. While the Registry shows the car being offered for sale as recently as 2009, the current owner states that these attempts were unsuccessful and he has owned the Shelby since 1991.

Among the equipment listed on the Marti Report are shoulder harnesses, extra cooling package, Visibility Group, wheel lip moldings, power disc brakes, power steering, Tilt-Away steering wheel, AM radio (now an AM/FM/cassette), Interior Décor Group, heavy-duty battery, tachometer and trip odometer. The Shelby also exhibits the gorgeous 10-spoke Shelby alloy wheels, BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires and air conditioning. The air system appears to be factory installed, though this is not confirmed by the Marti Report. While the compressor is a replacement, it is properly placed and the controls and interior vents certainly appear as correct. The owner conveys that this feature was part of the car when he purchased it in 1991.

This provides 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.