This 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Is a Golden (Sunlit Gold) God
The year 1968 was the second year of Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 production, at which point it was still something of an aftermarket conversion, unlike today’s factory-built car. After initial assembly by Ford at its New Jersey plant as big-block-equipped Mustang fastbacks, the cars were transferred to a partner facility in Michigan and transformed with new fiberglass body panels, a distinct front fascia, ducktail spoiler, ’65 Thunderbird taillights, and plenty of additional vents and scoops.
A massively upgraded engine is a core component of any GT500, and the 1968 delivered. Under the hood was a 428-cubic-inch, 7.0-liter V-8 rated at 360 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Despite that high output, compared to 1967’s car, the 1968 GT500 was set up as more of a sporty grand tourer than pure performance machine. That’s evidenced by the car’s three-speed automatic, wood trim, and plush leather interior. The heavy-duty suspension could cope with the power while providing a smoother ride.
