ForumAdmin Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 SHELBY AMERICAN ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE KING: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1968 SHELBY G.T.500KR Available through Shelby American, the limited-edition continuation Shelby G.T.500KR supplies 1960s era muscle car performance The “new-old” Shelby is a second chance to be The King Production is limited to 10 fastbacks and 10 convertibles Shelby American returns to Barrett-Jackson to introduce commemorative heritage car Las Vegas – January 12, 2018 – Executives with Shelby American, Inc., have announced that the company will offer a limited number of 50th Anniversary 1968 Shelby G.T.500KR “King of the Road” continuation muscle cars. The KRs will use 1960s era Mustang donor cars and include a Shelby serial number for documentation in the official Shelby registry. Powered by big block motors, the Shelbys will be available in fastback and convertible body styles. The car will debut at the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Auction from Jan. 12-21, with an official introduction event on Jan. 20. “Carroll Shelby was truly ‘the king of the road’ during the 1960s,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “His racing team dominated just about every form of motorsports and his cars ruled the road. As the 1968 Shelby G.T.500KR is often considered the ultimate symbol of that era, Shelby American will offer a handful of continuation KRs to honor both the man and what many call the golden age of the American muscle car.” Over the last several years, Shelby American has broadened its lineup, adding new vehicles in direct response to customer demand. With the introduction of the 1968 Shelby Continuation G.T.500KR, Shelby American is again taking a glance back, while making another historic step forward. “Shelby American has the most diverse vehicle lineup of any automaker in the world,” said Shelby American president Gary Patterson. “An enthusiast can buy a modern muscle truck, off-road capable pickup or a sports car based on the current generation Ford Mustang. We also offer three versions of the historic Cobra, a GT40 continuation and a genuine Shelby Cobra Daytona fastback. Now you can purchase a ‘new’ 1968 Shelby G.T.500KR through Shelby American. All these vehicles offer a thrilling driving experience, each in their own unique way.” Shelby American president Gary Patterson will conduct a media and enthusiast introduction of the 1968 Shelby Continuation G.T.500KR on Saturday, January 20 in the Shelby American booth at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction at 1:00 p.m. It is the same location where the company introduced commemorative edition Shelby Cobras in 2012 and 2015. Those cars were instant collectibles, selling out in record time. Shelby’s “King of the Road” G.T.500KR represented the apogee of horsepower and torque in a Ford platform as the muscle car era began to close. The “King of the Road” connected a cast iron version of Ford’s FE big block 428 c.i.d. engine with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission. The Shelby also featured high performance brakes and suspension, as well as a host of special styling touches inside and out. The 1968 Shelby Continuation G.T.500KR, available in both fastback and convertible body styles, will pack even more big-block punch. It will be sold with a 427cubic inch engine from Carroll Shelby Engine Co. in either aluminum or cast iron. The Shelby can be equipped with either a manual or automatic transmission. Drivetrains will be installed in 1968 Mustang donor cars, with factory VINs intact. Shelby spec suspensions and brakes will be included. Any standard Shelby colors from 1968 can be chosen as the cars will be built to order. Like the 50th anniversary edition Shelby Cobras, anniversary badges will be added to the cars. The handful of commemorative KRs, limited to 10 fastbacks and 10 convertibles, will be sold through Shelby American. Each will be documented in the Shelby Registry. The cars will start at US$249,995. “The 1968 Shelby G.T.500KR was aggressive and visceral,” said Patterson. “For those who can remember it when the KR was introduced, or younger enthusiasts hoping to create their own memories, this new King of the Road represents a rare second chance to own a very special muscle car built just for them. This car represents a celebration of our roots, along with a validation of our future. There’s never been a better time to be a Shelby fan.” Additional information about the 50th Anniversary 1968 Shelby G.T.500KR can be found at www.shelby.com or by calling (702) 942-7325. About Shelby American, Inc. Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. (CSBI-PK), manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA, 289 street car and Daytona coupe component vehicles; it offers the Shelby GTE, 1000, Super Snake, Shelby Terlingua Racing Team and GTS post-title packages for the 2005-2018 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also offers the Shelby Raptor, Shelby F-150 Super Snake and Shelby F-150 trucks. For more information, visit www.Shelby.com. # # # Media Contact Scott Black, TimePiece PR & Marketing at (214) 520-3430 ext. 303 or sblack@tprm.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackSGT Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 WOW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Johnston Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 Interesting that only 20 to be made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clark17357 Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 I can't tell from the article if the customer would have to provide the donor car. The overall context would suggest not but I am curious if anyone has any specific information or insight on that topic. When it says "starting" at $250,000, it will be interesting to see what it would cost with whatever goodies they will offer. Revology is building the 1968 GT Fastback 2+2 (not a Shelby version, although they build two 1966 Shelby models) that will set you back around $200,000 fully tricked out. https://revologycars.com/car/1968-mustang-gt-22-fastback/ Given that only 20 will be built, I wonder if Shelby is sourcing some of the components from Revology. The two companies have a working relationship. Look at the 1966 Shelby cars that Revology is building. https://revologycars.com/car/1966-shelby-gt350/ My sense is that there is collaboration between the two companies as they are not going head-to-head and it would not make economic sense for Shelby-American to independently source all the components for the 1968 GT500KR. Great time to be alive if you have the money for one of these cars. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 2 hours ago, clark17357 said: I can't tell from the article if the customer would have to provide the donor car. The overall context would suggest not but I am curious if anyone has any specific information or insight on that topic. When it says "starting" at $250,000, it will be interesting to see what it would cost with whatever goodies they will offer. Revology is building the 1968 GT Fastback 2+2 (not a Shelby version, although they build two 1966 Shelby models) that will set you back around $200,000 fully tricked out. https://revologycars.com/car/1968-mustang-gt-22-fastback/ Given that only 20 will be built, I wonder if Shelby is sourcing some of the components from Revology. The two companies have a working relationship. Look at the 1966 Shelby cars that Revology is building. https://revologycars.com/car/1966-shelby-gt350/ My sense is that there is collaboration between the two companies as they are not going head-to-head and it would not make economic sense for Shelby-American to independently source all the components for the 1968 GT500KR. Great time to be alive if you have the money for one of these cars. Jim I don't know, but I would guess that there is no collaboration with Revology on this project. Revology is working under the new small manufacturing rules that went into effect last year. They are using all new components with Dynacorn bodies and mondern fully emissions compliant drive trains as is required under the small manufacturer rules. These are titled as new cars. The KR's being put together by SA are not in that class. They are rebuilding original '68 Mustangs keeping original VIN's, so basically you are having your car modified into a KR, therefore, not being considered a newly manufactured automobile. This allows the use of similar to original carbureted engines. Again, I may not be correct, but that is how I'm seeing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhr1961 Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) Within Revology's website they mention that they also do builds using original 60's Era Mustangs, so I wouldn't rule out that there may be some collaboration with Revology when building these recently announced limited 1968 KRs. Interesting things going on with SAI and affiliated companies. Edited January 13, 2018 by mhr1961 edited for spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 13 hours ago, mhr1961 said: Within Revology's website they mention that they also do builds using original 60's Era Mustangs, so I wouldn't rule out that there may be some collaboration with Revology when building these recently announced limited 1968 KRs. Interesting things going on with SAI and affiliated companies. I agree. If not partially built at Revology, then using common sources for components and materials is highly likely. There aren't too many manufacturers of these out there so suppliers are few and far between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Johnston Posted January 14, 2018 Report Share Posted January 14, 2018 Unless I missed something, the announcement does not specifically say where and who will be making the cars. It states that they will be available through Shelby American. Maybe an outside production similar to the Cobra roadsters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas Rich Posted January 14, 2018 Report Share Posted January 14, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bone68 Posted January 23, 2018 Report Share Posted January 23, 2018 On 1/13/2018 at 6:04 PM, 66GT350PS said: Unless I missed something, the announcement does not specifically say where and who will be making the cars. It states that they will be available through Shelby American. Maybe an outside production similar to the Cobra roadsters. Announced who was making them Saturday. Legendary G.T. Continuation Cars out of Pennsylvania. http://www.legendarygt.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wazoo919 Posted February 11, 2018 Report Share Posted February 11, 2018 wow.. I wish I could afford it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose Posted February 12, 2018 Report Share Posted February 12, 2018 Hello, I just saw the information about the producing of some new GT 500 KR Shelbys. I don't know if this was ever talked about on these threads about how the letters KR (KING of the Road) came about to be used on the 1968 GT500KR. I'm a car nut and a gear head so I read alot of car magazines. I don't remember what magazine or book I had read it in but , it was around 1968 and Chevy was coming out with a total new design for their 1968 corvette. Well guess what Mr. Carroll Shelby did ? Carroll, being a big Ford guy and Chevy being a major competitor he got wind of Chevy wanting to call their new Corvette, King of the Road ! Well, Carroll being somewhat of a prangster thought he would quickly borrow and register that name for his new GT KR 500. And, that my fellow car nuts is supposedly how it all came about ! Talk at Ya, Later ! "MONGOOSE" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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