Acapulco Blue Shelby GT500 KR Is a Prologue for Latest Mustang Shelby GT500

As most muscle car purists know, the original 1968 Shelby GT500 models, whether coupes or convertibles, featured the exact same Police Interceptor package as the previous model year.

With a factory rating of 360 horsepower, they were a force to be reckoned with, but they were far from being worthy of receiving the ‘King of the Road’ moniker.

This is why as early as April 1968, Ford introduced a truly monstrous and soon to be legendary powerplant going by the name of 428 Cobra Jet, a big block that shook the entire car from side to side whenever you pressed your foot on the loud pedal in neutral.

The engine was initially developed for NHRA and Super Stock competition, which is why Ford only rated it at 335 horsepower. According to real-world testing, the mill was actually good for a massive 410 horsepower and 440 lb-ft (597 Nm) of torque, mostly thanks to revised heads, a larger intake and exhaust valves, a competition 427 intake manifold, 735 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor, and a functional ram-air induction system.

All this most likely contributed to Carroll Shelby adding the legendary ‘King of the Road’ designation to the GT500, making muscle car history in the process. The sheer sound of the big-block V8’s exhaust and that Shelby GT500 KR badge was enough to put fear into most of its rivals.

Sadly, not too many units remain of the 1,053 cars that were built to this specification, so finding one in nearly perfect condition would be like seeing a unicorn in a sea of horses.

Sporting a beautiful Acapulco Blue metallic paint job, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ford’s current Performance Blue, this 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR is thus one of the rarest and also coolest muscle cars that someone bought at Mecum’s Kissimmee January auction.

With just 46,000 miles (74,000 kilometers) that are believed to be original, the car came with a copy of the original Shelby invoice and is apparently documented with an Elite Marti Report.

These details matter less than the options it came fitted with, though, including the massive 428 Cobra Jet big block V8 mentioned earlier.

Built for speed but also long-distance cruising and comfort, the 7.0-liter monster of an engine was paired with a C6 Select-Shift 3-speed automatic transmission on this occasion. Sending over 400 horsepower to a normal Mustang axle from that era would be scary, so the car features a 3,50:1 Traction-Lok rear axle.

The Acapulco Blue exterior is perfectly complemented by a black interior, which features power steering, Clarion-knit bucket seats, a center console with Stewart Warner oil pressure and amp gauges, tachometer and trip odometer, a roll bar with inertia-reel shoulder harnesses, a Sport Deck rear seat, and the Visibility Group and Décor Group packages.

The exterior looks so good, but sadly, it’s not entirely original since the car has been repainted once; most of the chrome and stainless trim is original, though.

In charge of braking this powerful beauty is a set of power front disc brakes, while the car sits on a set of 10-spoke Shelby aluminum wheels shod in old-school Michelin radial tires. We’re not sure how much it went for, but the car was expected to fetch between $115,000 and $135,000. It would probably be a perfect companion for a 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 in Performance Blue.