Gleaming blue-green and white 1968 Mustang droptop may not be an original GT500KR, but we’re not complaining.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the car world is full of kind people. For every iconic or special edition model that’s ever been made, there have been dozens, if not hundreds, of tribute cars made to look like them. Think of how many unofficial GTO Judges you’ve seen. It’s the same way with Ford Mustangs. Just take a look at this 1968 convertible for sale on Autotrader.
The description starts off by saying this is a “1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 KR Convertible.” It states the paint gleaming turquoise paint job alone cost $16,000. It’s made all the more beautiful by replated chrome accents and polished stainless steel brightwork. But it’s clear from reading further and looking at certain pictures in the listing that this car is meant to flatter Shelby, not fool anyone.
It has the stripes above the rocker panels and the vented hood, but that’s largely where the similarities end. Although the wheels have a vintage sort of look to them, they’re definitely not correct for a true GT500KR. According to the listing, they’re 17-inch mags wrapped in BFGoodrich G-Force 245/225ZR17 rubber. Those surround a set of slotted and drilled disc brakes.
You won’t find a 428 under the hood. Instead, there’s a 425-horsepower 351 ci that breathes through ceramic-coated headers. It transmits its power through an automatic transmission and a nine-inch rear end. Sub-frame connectors are in place to keep everything as composed as possible while the rack-and-pinion power steering and power brakes try to keep this car from ending up wrapped around a tree.
The interior features a mix of old-school colors and modern hardware. The saddle seats coordinate well with the wood steering wheel. Blue LED lighting illuminates the gauges. Infotainment comes from a Sony head unit that’s Bluetooth and Android compatible and connected to JBL speakers.
The person behind this build may be a flatterer, but their affection for Shelby isn’t lost on us.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
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