There has long been a belief that 1,140 Shelby GT500 Fastbacks rolled out of the factory in 1968, and our feature car’s owner mentions that figure in their listing. However, the internet can be a source of misinformation, which is the case here. The Shelby World Registry has updated the figure using the latest information, showing the total drop to 1,020 cars. The seller has been the Shelby’s custodian for thirty-five years but feels the time is right for a new owner to experience the motoring pleasure only a genuine GT500 provides. Therefore, they have listed it for sale here on eBay in Merrill, Wisconsin. Bidding has raced past the reserve to sit at $100,000. For those with the available funds, there is still time to stake your claim on this classic.

I’m always attracted to a history of long-term ownership of classic cars, especially high-performance models like the GT500. If vehicles of that type are subjected to a hard life, it generally shows in an untidy appearance or the loss of vital original mechanical components. That isn’t the case here because it seems this Shelby’s owner has treated it with respect for more than three decades. He admits it received a professional repaint in its original Candyapple Red utilizing a clear-over-base process. The paint shines beautifully, with no orange peel or other problems. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and all of the distinctive Shelby fiberglass additions and badges are intact. Before finding its way to its current location, the GT500 spent its life in Florida. It has always been garage-kept, helping it to remain rust-free. The panels exhibit no problems, and the underside shots show floors and rails with nothing beyond the occasional spot of surface corrosion. The original owner ordered the car with tinted glass that is flawless, while the beautiful Shelby alloy wheels are excellent.

If considered as a driver-grade car, this GT500’s interior needs nothing. Its black vinyl upholstery is free from physical damage, with the same true for the carpet. The dash and pad are excellent, and there are no signs of wear or lifting on the faux woodgrain trim. The seller swapped the original AM radio for a factory AM/FM unit, but there are no further modifications. They indicate the air conditioning system is complete but has some leaking hoses requiring attention before it blows cold. The original owner ordered the Shelby with a Tilt-Away wheel, a factory tach, and a Sport Deck rear seat. These items remain intact and in good condition.

For the uninitiated, what we find under the hood separates the GT500 from mere mortals. The 428-4V powerhouse pumps out an impressive 360hp. The original owner elected to back this V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission, while the car features power steering and power front disc brakes. Did the combination make these classics fast? Just a bit! The journey down the ¼ mile would take 14.3 seconds, with the 428 running out of breath when the needle nudges 127mph. The seller indicates that the GT500 runs and drives extremely well, with the motor pinning the driver in their seat when they floor the loud pedal. No specific mention is made of the vehicle’s numbers-matching status, but that is the impression provided in the listing. They include a Marti Report in the sale and indicate that the car is listed on the Shelby World Registry.

Given the desirability and rarity of the 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500, I’m not surprised that this car has already received twenty-nine bids. I would expect that number to grow substantially before the auction ends, especially given that the reserve has passed. That means that the highest bidder will take this classic home, which I can’t see as a bad thing. The bidding could hit $150,000 before the hammer falls, although I wouldn’t rule out a higher figure. With any Mustang wearing the Shelby badge increasing in popularity and value, are you tempted to make a play for this one?