Why The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Was A Legendary American Muscle Car

Ford Mustang, Shelby Mustang, Shelby Mustang GT500, Shelby Mustang GT500KR. One of the last, despite being one of the most exciting and powerful American he sports car The least known of the classic Mustangs to the public so far. The career of this promising legend was rather short. What makes this model one of the most coveted Mustangs of all time? It had the same utility as the previous Shelby Mustang GT500, such as a roll bar. Mustang's powerful engine. The redesigned front end, rear end and bonnet are made of fiberglass to keep weight down. The 7.0-liter (428 cu-in) V8 Cobra Jet engine offered (according to Ford) 335HP and 440 lb-ft of torque, though some rumors claim he offered 435HP. ford Under-reported force numbers. Was the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR really the "King of the Road"? RELATED: Why We Prefer the 1967 Shelby GT500 over the 2022 Model

When Mustang Shelby GT500 Got a Cobra Jet V8

The Ford Mustang rocked the auto industry when it was released in 1964, with Ford selling over 400,000 in its first year. But despite being welcomed with open arms by American audiences, Ford's general manager Lee Iacocca thought it didn't have the image of a "powerful" car. The Ford men got in touch with Carroll Shelby and asked for help turning the Mustang into a sports car. The result of this collaboration was the Shelby Mustang GT500 in 1965. This car shattered the preconceived notions people had about Mustang power. In 1967 Ford expanded the Mustang with his big-block V8 called the GT500. His 428 cu-in engine in the Mustang Shelby GT500 produced over 350HP of tantalizing power and over 400 lb-ft of torque. 1968 was when things got out of hand when Ford installed a revision of the same 428 cu-in engine to make the GT500 faster than ever. This engine was called the Cobra Jet and was renamed from his GT500 to GT500KR. His last two letters mean "King of the Road". It had power brakes, power steering and air conditioning. Accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. If this car is fast even by today's standards, imagine what it was like 50 years ago. The Mustang Shelby GT500KR was a car that you could enjoy cruising around town on weekdays and racing on weekends. It had a 4-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission that transmitted power to the rear wheels. Then there were the mind-boggling power figures. Initially, Ford claimed his GT500KR would deliver 335HP and he would deliver 440lb-ft of power and torque, but the actual power he is believed to be around 440HP. Even more interesting was the fact that the GT500KR was able to reach maximum power at a much lower RPM compared to other high performance cars. This will keep the engine running for much more years without bothering anyone. RELATED: Dennis Collins Wins 5 Car Jackpot Including Shelby GT500

What's so special about the Mustang Shelby GT500KR?

There are two main reasons. One was the last car Shelby and Ford co-produced. And two, only 1,570 of his were sold to the public, of which he was 1,053 fastbacks and 517 convertibles. Both reasons here make it desirable not only from a gearhead perspective, but also from a collector's perspective. This is one of the rarest and most exclusive cars to own in the automotive world. Yes, it may not be as expensive as the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 "Eleanor" that turned the GT500 into a cult of sorts (which is why some 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500s sold for nearly $1 million is). Make a fairly large hole in your pocket. The 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 'King of the Road' was also the last 'Cobra' car in the Shelby-Ford partnership. This is because Shelby's contract with Ford ended in his 1969. This also meant that no Shelby Mustangs were made after 1970.

Give your Mustang Shelby GT500KR the fame it deserves

It's a shame when people refer to Mustang's glorious past, and the Shelby Mustang GT500 "King of the Roads" is rarely mentioned. The way "Gone in 60 Seconds" immortalized his 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 and turned it into a collectible, I hope the 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR got the half rating it deserved. That said, anyone who knows the original Mustang GT500KR knows that at auction he fetched over $250,000 for one. Yes, the GT500KR survived and is still one of the most desirable. classic car There, but for those in the know.Known as the Shelby Mustang GT500KR, the story of this Ford and Shelby masterpiece needs to be told more. Source: Ford Brings Trailer