These 1968 Shelby GT500KR Cars Are as Original and Beautiful as They Get
When it comes to some of the most coveted and unique Mustangs created during the sixties, the name Shelby GT500KR immediately comes to mind. Not only does the GT500KR feature a fine balance of performance and reliability, but also a unique look and design that evaporated within the following decade.
Two very rare 1968 Shelby GT500KR convertibles restored by Boston-based Mustang expert Tim Lea recently earned the top honors at the Mid America and Shelby National Conventions for top restorations. These two events are generally acknowledged to have the most rigorous and wise judges in the segment, so to have taken the competition by storm was an honor for car owners, Rae and Ted Segerstrom, and of course, Tim Lea.
The 42nd annual Mid America Ford & Shelby Nationals took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and saw hundreds of cars come from every state in the nation and even bordering countries. But in the end, the Segerstroms did it again.
“If you time-warped back to 1968, this is how every nook and cranny of these cars should look,” Lea told The Shop. “With projects like these, winning Gold isn’t just in the details, but in preserving the car’s original authenticity.”
That’s not to say that there weren’t challenges during the authentication and restoration process, of course. Lea commented about the pre-1969 Mustangs not having a removable dash, therefore every component and panel had to be removed individually without compromising the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical parts stuffed behind it. And then there was the original paint color, “Special Yellow,” which proved difficult to recreate, as only five out of the 1,571 vehicles ever produced sported such a hue.
Needless to say, both of these vehicles deserve the honors they received, and their owners are very lucky!
You must be logged in to post a comment.