68 Rear side reflector lens

"1968 Mustangs built prior to Feb. 15/68 are equipped with a rectangular red reflector, with color keyed bezel, inserted into a cut out in the rear of the quarter panel. Models assembled after Feb. 15 are equippped with a bolt on red reflector with oval shaped chrome trim. Later quarter panels do not contain the cut out." Mustang Recoginition Guide. pg. 114. KR's came out mid year, don't know the exact date.

 

I believe KR's and Cobra Jet Mustangs and actually anything powered by a Cobra Jet came out on April 15 1968

 

The color keyed bezel only pertains to Mustangs. GT 350's and 500's had a unique chrome version

 

The first KR was #2263 and was delivered 5/6/68

 

I have #2258 which is a KR convertible and it has the square lenses. I can't recall the build date.

 

First of all you have to understand the order of the numbers is not necessarily the order how they were built. I can't recall exactly but I think the numbers were assigned as the orders were received. (I think Pete knows the answer to this) For example the 2 cars metioned above, 2258 and 2895,
2258 was invoiced in 7/8/68 and 2895 4/10/68. As far as the reflectors I've learning to never say never but the latest build date I've seen on square reflectors is 2nd week of February. I know of a local car built 2/28 and it has the oblong reflectors, and is a GT 500. I would suspect the 4/10 car has replaced quarters but like I said I never say never. I believe 500's and KR's were not built simultaneously.
As far as 2258 I suggest you get a copy of the registry because your KR is supposed to be a GT 350 convertible. Are you sure thats the correct #?

 

sorry - s/b #2556 pushed the wrong key. built 06/03/68. has square quarter side lenses.

 

TLEA,

#2556 (68 KR) has the following:
Order Rec'd - February 9, 1968;
Actually Built - June 3, 1968
Invoiced - June 28, 1968
Shipped - July 2, 1968.

I currently have rectangular side reflectors, do you think it is more likely that they had oblong reflectors? As I look at various publications I don't see any KR's with square side reflectors.

DWDShelby

 

Like I said I never say never but I haven't seen any 68's (350,500 0r 500KR) with recessed reflectors built after about the 2nd week of Feb 68. I know of several cars built around the 3-4th week that have the surface mount reflectors. Is there any evidence that your quarters have been replaced? Are there recesses in the quarters for the reflectors or are they mounted on the surface? I've actually seen this done on a Mustang.

 

Actually, #2263 was not the first KR, I seem to recall a couple of earlier cars- #2008 and #2124. You will have to double check the Registry. I think all KRs had the oval reflectors. The first CJ cars were built prior to April 1, 1968, the offical release date. The first Shelby KRs were built the last week in April (with the two above being exceptions) by this time all cars were oval reflector cars. If you have a KR with the square reflectors, inset, I would guess something has been done to the car. ....and as mentioned cars were not built in strict numerical order, it appears to me that there were KRs being built while they finished up the GT500s. So did I count correctly, thats two "KRs" with square reflectors....yikes..

 

Actually 2008 and 2263 were invoiced the same day, 5/6/68. The registry states 2263 was 1st KR. 2124 was an early June car. A good example of cars not sequentially built.