Nineteen sixty-six brought yet another year of styling changes to Ford’s hugely popular Mustang. Carroll Shelby, quick to capitalize on the Mustang’s new clothes, revised the GT500 mid-year and called it the GT500 KR, short for “King of the Road.” The 1968 Shelby GT500 KR was indeed worthy of its name, boasting incredible horsepower, a luxurious interior, and the meanest Mustang redesign yet. As a result, the GT500 KR quickly became a favorite of car-savvy Hollywood actors, and it remains a Hollywood favorite to this day.

The GT500 KR was all about power. Boasting Shelby’s legendary 428 Cobra Jet engine, the GT500 KR had no problem leaving other top-shelf offerings from GM and Chrysler in its rearview mirror. While the GT500 KR was rated at 335 horsepower, it was common knowledge that Ford underrated their high-performance cars to fool insurance companies. The true story told of a real horsepower rating that was much closer to 400, with 440 foot-pounds of torque at 3,400 rpm. The valve covers on the GT500 KR read “Cobra Le Mans,” referencing the Cobra Jet’s success over Ferrari at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967.

According to the included Marti Report, this GT500 KR Convertible was built on June 3, 1968, as one of only 518 convertibles and one of 251 equipped with an automatic transmission amongst a grand total of 1,571 GT500 KRs built that year. Highly optioned from the factory, packages on this GT500 KR Convertible include the GT equipment group, the visibility group, and the interior décor group. Other options include a white power convertible top, power steering, a tilt-away steering wheel, power front disc brakes, an AM radio, and a tachometer and trip odometer, as well as the Shelby 15-inch ten-spoke cast aluminum wheels.

While the car has been repainted a menacing Raven Black, the interior remains original, with a glove box and sun visor autographed by the late Carroll Shelby, and the car is complete with its original Shelby body tags and buck tag. According to the owner, the car receives only the most favorable compliments while cruising around Los Angeles.

Due to its rarity, as only 518 were built, this car would certainly be the “cornerstone” of any muscle car collection. At 45 years young, the KR is still considered to be the pinnacle by many Shelby enthusiasts.

Wearing a desirable color combination and equipped with a plethora of options, this GT500 KR Convertible is ready to reign for another 45 years as King of the Road.