Found 68 Shelby and need help

[SS427]

I stumbled across a 68 Shelby GT500KR over the holidays in my travels and need a little help and advice. I will give a description with the hopes that some of the more knowledgeable Shelby people can tell me what it may be worth. I was able to convince the seller to let it go but as of right now the seller and I are a LONG ways off on value. He has owned the car for 37 years.

It is a 63B 2+2 Fastback with luxury black interior.
Color is M or White
Trim is 5AA
Build date is mid year 1968
Axle is H or 3.50 Traction loc
Trans is 5 or Toploader 4 speed

The car is completely disassembled, needs quarters, doors, fenders, firewall repair at the pinch welds, outer wheel houses and some floor pan work. Torque boxes are iffy and I was really not able to get underneath the car to see how bad it was but will consider it to be like the topside of the car. Another oddity is it has front side marker lights but no rears but has what appears to be two mounting holes bondo'd closed but no actual side marker opening though I am not sure the 68's used lit markers or just reflectors. The Shelby VIN plate is intact and in good shape and still attached to the fender apron though the drivers side apron has been replaced so this is laying loose.

The engine (short block) is not original and is a 66 428 A code and not the original 428CJ C code that came in the car. It has a complete running (as of 8 years ago) engine minus the smog. The Holley carb is correct but is a 1976 over the counter unit with all the Ford numbers but the date being correct. Intake is the correct C80OE-9428-C cast iron unit.

The transmission is original as I believe is the rear diff. It also for some odd reason has the 67 Shelby wheels on it and not the 68.

The original Lucas running lights are with the car.

This car will need a COMPLETE nut and bolt restoration with much of the sheet metal needing to be replaced. The interior is all there but not sure how much can be restored vs having to be replaced. The Shelby console is there but has a small dent in the vinyl from one of the interior panels laying across it and I am not sure that will come out.

The seller has given me a price (that he was offered many years ago) and I told him he should have taken that and run. I believe it is worth a little more than half of what he is asking. Any help based solely on my description would be much appreciated. I will not post the VIN number at this time as I do not want to lose the possibility of buying the car.
Thanks for any help and opinions.
Rick

[olredalert]

----Rick,,,Can't help much with the value but can caution you about the cost of a lot of the correct parts to replace what you have mentioned. For what these cars are bringing I would think he might give you money to haul it away,,,LOL!...…..Bill S

[tom406]

Rear markers are just reflectors, and were typically surface mount Cougar units (midyear change due to supplier issue with flush mount units used initially) by the time KR production happened mid year. I think 68-70 Shelby prices have notably settled more than 65-67 in recent years. There was a time when KR convertibles were top of the Shelby heap, but not anymore. 66 428s seem to end up in all the CJ cars just like 70s truck 454s seemed to end up in all the SS Chevelles, and the market discounts them similarly. I don’t think I’d want to be in a white non#s fastback more than $100k, and you’ve got some spendy parts to find and OEM sheetmetal to source. 4speed is probably a 10-20k boost on these, but still. I think $25k range is enough for what you’re describing, and being a restorer, you know that probably doesn’t pencil out these days.

[bergy]

I agree with Tom - if it was a '67 it would be worth messing with.

[SS427]

Tom's price is exactly where I was at after looking at the car. The owner wants almost double that. The cost of the restoration would just be too much to justify which is unfortunate.

[ZAPPER68]

Rick all SCJ 428's came with an oil cooler mounted in front of the rad support. In addition, SCJ's had either 3.91 or 4.30 gears...the oil cooler was plumbed into and out of the oil filter adapter which in this case isn't. The top loader will be identified with a tag indicating RUG-AE or RUG-AE1.

[SS427]

Trans is correct. I had forgotten about the oil cooler when I looked at it and that would have been obvious. On another note, I thought that I came across some information that stated that the 3.50 rear was available with the SCJ. I better recheck that as maybe it was only the CJ. I did some double checking this morning and the R code is for the 428 Cobra Jet so you are right. At this point I do not think the owner will sell it for much less than he was offered many years ago as that figure is now stuck in his head and it is just not worth anywhere near that.

[dustinm]

I think we have all been up against those "offers" made, mostly made by people that don't have the means to purchase even if it were accepted. Its a shame as the cars continue to deteriorate..

[SS427]

It needs to be saved but he needs to be realistic.

[the427king]

Scj in a kr500??

[SS427]

No, CJ

[Lee Stewart]

Scj in a kr500??

Not that I am aware of.

The 500KR came out in April of 1968 - two months after Ford built the 50 lightweight Cobra Jet Mustangs for NHRA's Stock and Super Stock classes.

The CJ 428 replaced the single quad 428 Police Interceptor that Shelby was using for the GT500.

The 428 Super Cobra Jet became available during the 1969 model year.

[SS427]

The owner told me it was an SCJ. I edited my post early this morning after talking to a friend who informed me that it could not be an SCJ. Note change in original post. I am not real knowledgeable on Shelbys, hence my original post asking for help.

[the427king]

Oil cooler on cj,not just scj

[Tracker1]

Scj in a kr500??

Yeah, hmmm, I'm almost sure the Super wasn't available in a GT500 in '68. But yes in 1969-70

[the427king]

All 68s cj only

[prototype]

68 GT500 PI. No ram air S code in VIN
68 GT500KR CJ ram air R code in VIN
69-70 GT500 CJ ram air. R code in VIN
69-70 GT500 with drag pack option SCJ ram air R code in VIN 3.91-4.30 rear gear only

There was no external decals or VIN designation for the SCJ. They are completely different engines with LeMans connecting rods, external dampening, engine oil coolers, different horn locations/hardware (as the oil coolers were put where one of the horns was located), transmission gear reducers, etc. A helluva engine included in the very affordable drag pack option.

Oddly the lowest engine on the totem pole the 68 PI (police interceptor) is the only one with an aluminum intake.....CJ's and SCJ's got cast iron manifolds

Don't even get me started on the big and little suspension differences on 1969 Shelbys.

[Northernforce]

Hey Rick
Didn't know you were running out of LS6 cars to do-guess Steve is buying them all-lol-Happy New Year!Good luck with the Shelby!!!
Keep on Cruising!
Dave

[SS427]

Hey Rick
Didn't know you were running out of LS6 cars to do-guess Steve is buying them all-lol-Happy New Year!Good luck with the Shelby!!!
Keep on Cruising!
Dave

I wish. We have a long waiting list. This car found me and I was not about to pass up a look. Just disappointing that it likely will not happen. I have restored a lot of Mustangs though over 20 years ago and am always looking for something a little different. Happy New Year to you as well.

[ScottG]

A/C equipped CJ cars do have an oil cooler, it is not the same as a SCJ. Talladega's also had the smaller cooler. It mounts horizontally in the grill opening . Rick, a 1968 CJ engine dated to the build date is really hard to find . You will also find that the missing engine compartment stuff is also expensive, carb is $3000. The rust repair is not that hard to do but if you use aftermarket parts it will hurt the car's end value.

[ScottG]

The VIN is stamped on a pad on the trans case . The 9 inch center section will be a nodular case , HD without the N on earlier 1968 cars. The fiberglass parts have been reproduced , Tony Branda in PA. can help with Shelby parts. If you are doing this car to make money as a business deal , you will be upside down at todays prices.

[ScottG]

Rick, your comment on the present A scratch block versus the correct C scratch block is the letter is cast into the block and is visible when the transmission and the block plate are removed . The C scratch block has reinforced main webbing , that is what makes it stronger.

[ScottG]

The Mustang world has also been taken over with restamp distributors and fake parts. It will take a concerted effort not to get burned when searching for your missing stuff, It is not good news , just thought you should know. Good Luck..

[Bill Pritchard]

Sounds like another car that will just sit and sit, and eventually the owner's descendants will end up dispositioning :frown:

[EZ Nova]

This thread is what I have been saying for about 10 yrs now. Too many people that actually have cars tend to get "Barrett-Jackson-IDIS" and think all there stuff is worth what they see on TV.

Many on he have gotten ruffled when I say that the car isn't worth what someone is asking by the time you restore it. Parts and resto costs are thru the roof and you better be doing a mid $150,000.00 car or you'll be upside down in a market that can turn at any time.

It's a different story if there is a sentimental attachment and that is why you bought it. But some of these cars that people need to save are just not worth the $$$ to do it from a business or $$$ point. The Shelby is the perfect example. the $$$ just are not there at the end for someone to save it. Now say this was someone's lost fathers car or something, and they have the financial means, then fine.

But look at this car. Rich has the shop to do it at, which would help keep the $$$'s down some, and could do it over years as a filler job (if he could find time) and still not worth it.

Now if this was a 1969 Yenko Camaro convert with Yenko installed ZL-1 (Yes I know they didn't make or do any of those) then the $$$ would be there at the end.

[Stefano]

I believe a hidden vin is under the Shelby American VIN, which is riveted to the apron which was removed.

[ScottG]

Stephano is correct , it may be under the fender lip . If you are really serious Rick , call Kevin Marti and get a report.

[SS427]

The hidden VIN is present and is legit. I have not contacted Kevin yet as I know what it is and know it to be real. Not sure I want to drop big coin for a full blown report if I do not end up being a buyer.

[Lee Stewart]

https://i.postimg.cc/Kvw2Gp9k/screenshot-7540.png (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/Z5NhCPgf/screenshot-7541.png (https://postimages.org/)

[the427king]

Kr converts have always brought twice what coupes have brought.....this week some coupes outsold the converts....go figure

[SS427]

Thanks Lee. That puts a whole new spin on things. Even if I can buy it right I would be upside down on a restoration in short order.

[Tenney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lchQa54KaVI&feature=youtu.be

[Bill Pritchard]

I believe a hidden vin is under the Shelby American VIN, which is riveted to the apron which was removed.

Assuming that 68 is the same as 67, the VIN underneath the Shelby American VIN tag is the original VIN that was assigned to the vehicle by Ford Motor Company. My BIL had a 67 Shelby GT500 years ago and that's the way his was.

[EZ Nova]

Thanks Lee. That puts a whole new spin on things. Even if I can buy it right I would be upside down on a restoration in short order.

This should be a BIG RED FLAG to many. A higher the average value car, missing some major components, guy has a restoration company, and will STILL BE UPSIDE DOWN if he bought it.

Not sure what it would actually be worth when completed missing the original motor? What would someone expect for a hit like that, $10,000.00 or $20,000.00?? So would the valve be $125,000.00? I could see getting the car bought right and Rick using it as a filler here and there and invest say 5 yrs to restore it. But as a main restoration to be done correct in a timely manner?

I know many are upside down on restos, so one must be known that upfront that is one is a labour of love and will be a money loser.

Sucks but that is the way I see it. Sorry, John

[Tracker1]

hammered down tonight

[Lee Stewart]

hammered down tonight

https://i.postimg.cc/X7rRwxtK/screenshot-7548.png (https://postimages.org/)

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1968-SHELBY-GT500KR-237547