Have you seen the '68 GT500KR on sleezebay?

The milege, or lack of, is what's pushing the price on this car. Other than the dollar, all you can do is sit & look at it. You use it, you lose it.---S.

 

There's just something about this car that doesn't add up to me , yes it looks correct from the pictures, but in all that this car is , why are the side emblems wrong and out of place? The engine bay looks complete and unrestored, other than battery and heat shield,ram air piece looks like it was removed at some point, car is documented , but that was done some years ago when all the owner had to do was summit what he wanted to SAAC, and good old Shel had very little if anything to do with the 1968 cars, so for him to put this car in his care what would that mean?

Tout

 

Okay, I resisted Long Enough and it is time to drop the "Turd In the Punch Bowl". The car is not correct !!! Take a look at the Steering Wheel" look familiar? It should, it is off a 1967 Shelby !! First indication of not exactly 100% original unless they ran out of 68 Steering Wheels at Ford and had to use a Shelby unique or the customer ordered one with a 67 Steering wheel. I am sure it can be explained. Not trying to pick the car apart but when I see something like this and read about originality something just makes me want to look a little closer.

Doc

 

The steering wheel itself may be a '67, but that hub doesn't look quite right.
On the other hand, I guess a guy could sell the steering wheel [if it indeed is the correct '67] and have enough money to buy the '68 deluxe wheel.

 

I agree, the hub kind of looks funky on this car. Pulling that steering wheel will not be any small feat !! Would not want to be the guy that gets that task. Wheel is probably worth $1500-2000 if it's an original. Also remember the KR's had tilt steering wheels and were vacuum assisted. Shoud be no problem provided the column hasn't been changed. Seems like a car demanding that much money and stated originality wouldn't have an incorrect artifact staring you in the face. I guess with the skyrocketing prices being commanded for these vehicles I have become a bit too anal.

Keith

 

LOL,
Keith, I reckon I've always been anal....my middle name is Alan....maybe Mom got the letters mixed up.
Later

 

I may be wrong on this, but the KR came out in 4-1-68 or there abouts , so the steering wheel was put on after the car left the factory, & I would prosume that any left over wheels would be used up by that time. It's a nice car and all that, [ I have one } but I don't under stand the kind of money that these cars are bringing now a days. I remember back in the late 80's when Japan was buying everything in sight & then it all stopped .But then again if you have 5--10 million or more, what's a measly 200 grand?? On the emblems, especially the KR's, I have seen them all over the fender, at this point I don't know were the right spot is located.---Later,---S.

 

Pete Disher probably could tell you the correct locations for the emblems. I think he is the 68 Register and has done a ton of research on this year. Anyhow, who ever gets it will probably spend a few dollars getting the cosmetics corrected if they really want to back up the claims of this automobile. Who knows, it may be a BJ milion dollar baby, Stranger things have happened !! I am tempted to call the "Lister" and tell him he may want to re-tweak his ad but then, why should I bother?

Doc

 

Soooo, the real question is , " does the car really have 6000 or so, original miles? " Because that's what the buyer is buying.

Tout

 

That is the heart of it. There's already documented pics showing that all that's listed is not true. So, I'm being a tad skeptical.

 

Early 67 is correct. When you look at what is being advertised and what you see, it leaves lots of questions unanswered. Not saying the car is not legit but is far from being all original. With this kind of money "Truth in Advertsing" is important because it affects every car that is purchase or sold afterwards. Think about it !! If it is sold for an astronomical price, a new bench mark will be established for "Original low mileage Shelbys". There will be more 7000 mile, 10000 mile vehicles showing up than you can shake a stick at. And I believe you all would agree, it just ain't so. With all the stuff our eagle eye forum group has spotted on this car, I am beginning to question whether the 6000 mile isn't 60000 miles?

Doc

 

Well according to the reg.it says 6000 miles or whatever back in the mid 80's .soo it could be a car that nobody drives, because every mile on the odemeter lessons the value somewhat.??-- On the auction page their is someone that put in bids from 70000 to over 100000 ,I can't remember right now, who it is , all with in a minute of each of his own bids. When I see things like that I wonder if there's a shill ?? going on. But then there is the bidder from GA. so it must be legit.--Hey, what do I know.---S.

 

Does anyone realize how easy it is to change the odometer on these cars and it could have been done say 20 plus years ago, so that the trail starts when not to much documentation was kept and that it was turned at a time when facts were not backed up with proof.We see all kinds of cars with low mileage , we have a verified car in our SAAC club , 6000 plus miles but the car looks like hell in the engine bay, I still don't believe it.
So , how are cars verified ?

Tout

 

Re: I have seen the '68 GT500KR on ebay

I try to look at a lot of 1968 Shelbys. I have seen this car several times. I am convinced that is, in fact, a 6,000 mile original car. The overall negative aspect of the post is somewhat disturbing. I can understand people being skeptical. I guess, I would never expect a car (which by its very nature is built to be used) to be a sterile time capsule. You guys are looking at too many concours cars Sure the steering wheel and the emblems have been swapped out, but when I see things like original two hump exhaust resonators and original carb stampings, it's hard to believe anyone would have faked the odometer. This is probably one of the most original, unrestored cars in the country. I have judged several SAAC nationals and you can't replicate originality, you can only copy it. I do agree with the post, it is a shame we will never know if the car changed hands or if the bids are legitimate. That is eBays biggest downfall. If you ever have a chance to inspect # 2820, I would highly recommend you bring your camera. -Pete

www.1968cobra.com

 

You are correct about odometers. Ever watch "Used Cars" ? If it is mechanical it can be reset to whatever you want. Wear and tear under a car can help discriminate the "Hard Driven" from the the "Hardly Driven". On the other hand, perhaps an autopsy on the original engine and transmission, detailed undercarriage and interior inspection and knowledge to the nth degree on part numbers, components and sub assemblies are a good discriminator. Finally knowledge and personal whereabouts of previous owners and history can you help you authenticate stated mileage on a vehicle. If you have the kind of time and a seller willing to bend over backwards to accomodate your request, perhaps you would be in the 70th percentile in assuring you are purchasing a low mileage vehicle. Other than that, you're at the mercy of what you can see in the time you have besides "Used Car" Salesman never lie about stated mileage Right?

 

Pete,

I agree that this car is in fact a very nice example . the miles compared to the under carrage look right and the few points of interest" exhaust" as you state are hard to replicate.It's just the fact that why would someone change the little things, if the car only has been driven 6000 miles? And why not change the few imperfection before selling ?

We have a KR in our SAAC club that has 6000 plus miles on it to , the difference in the two is night and day, it looks as if it were stored in a barn for 30 years compared to a heated garage.

The fact that this car is a 1968 also tells us that Ford was building these and not Shelby, it would be very hard to beleive that Ford ran out of parts and put on leftover 67 stuff.

To compare my KR to this car would be fun, I still have most of the undercarrage markings on the trans and rear ,etc. Factory exhaust pipes were taken off when the second owner raced it, other than that car is complete and one of a few KR's with 4 speed and air.If you are into KR's , there are differences most would not even know about in comparision to a GT500, that's why the car for sale intregues me.

Tout

 

I Have seen the '68 GT500KR on ebay

Tout,

I agree at first glance it looks funny....but, as I said, I have seen the car more than once. I didn't bother reading the description, but from memory, I seem to recall the steering wheel was a "dealer add on". I think there is an invoice for it with the car. The car was repainted in the front, so that explains the extra bolts in the front fiberglass and the dicked up emblems. It has been some years since I last looked at it. I don't think the pictures do the car justice. I certainly would change those things, but that's because I can be one of those anal concours types. I think if you look closely there may be some bolt on traction bars? I personally, have learned a lot from this car.....and hopefully the owner (or new owner) takes care of it.