The year 1966 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. It was common knowledge that Ford underrated their high-performance cars to fool insurance companies, so, while the GT500 KR was rated at 335 horsepower, 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.

CARROLL’S KR

The GT500 KR Convertible offered here is presented with both an interesting ownership history and a collection of special documentation. In researching the car, Mr. Kughn reached out directly to Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company’s Group Vice-President of Global Marketing, Sales, and Service, who forwarded him to several further resources.

The car was originally delivered through Rivers Ford of Monroe, Louisiana, and was sold to Anthony Green. Its next owners were Stuart Lasseigne, Dave Matthews, and finally John Czcsnowski, who advertised it for sale in March of 1996 for $69,000.

Afterward, the car was acquired by none other than Carroll Shelby himself for his personal collection. A letter on file to the next owner, Howard O’Brian, of Davisburg, Michigan, is from Carroll Shelby Enterprises and signed by Shelby himself. “I hope you enjoy the Shelby-KR as much as I did,” Ol’ Shel’ notes. “It was one of my best and favorite cars. Please stay in touch and looking forward to meeting you at some events with your car.” The SAAC Registrar’s documentation further confirms “Carroll Shelby, Belair, CA” as a former owner.

The GT500 KR had been properly restored to an extremely high standard of fit and finish prior to Mr. and Mrs. Kughn’s acquisition, which is still evident in its well-maintained condition today. A Deluxe Marti Report, which is on file, confirms the options: Acapulco Blue finish with Black Décor bucket seats, C-6 automatic transmission, 3.00 standard rear axle ratio, GT Equipment Group, Visibility Group, power steering, front disc brakes, tilt-away steering column, factory air conditioning, AM radio, Interior Décor Group, tinted glass, tachometer and trip odometer, and a white, power-operated convertible top with glass backlight.

Panel fit and gaps throughout are excellent, as is the correct paint color and an interior that still appears tight and nearly fresh. Opening the hood reveals correct finishes underneath as well, including a proper battery and the chalk assembly line markings recreated to show how the car would have been finished in 1968.

This Shelby GT500 KR is one of the finest restorations in the Kughn Collection and may be one of the best of its kind in existence today—and one of fewer still so authentically presented and formerly owned by the man whose name it wears!