Awesome GT500

[Royce Peterson]

Never seen a '68 Shelby hood that fit that well. Amazing. I wonder if the steering wheel and trunk mat have been replaced like the wheels.

[68blk500c]

Wow!  Love seeing these highly original cars; especially a 500 vert. with an actual build date close to ours. 

[shelbymann1970]

Never seen a '68 Shelby hood that fit that well. Amazing. I wonder if the steering wheel and trunk mat have been replaced like the wheels.

Mine fit pretty well on my 68 and it had all the original metal and fglass on it. without springs it was a perfect match front to back. No bow at all. Fit pretty good to the header also .Gary

[Bob Gaines]

Not to say original on picture car but I have seen a few survivor early production 68 Shelby with the original plaid mat with sewed corners like what is typical in 67 Shelby. I figured it was apparently a short time use before evolving to the speckled mat   

[8T03S1425]

My first impression of this car was very positive, and it still is. The color combination is beautiful. The collection of original documents is something every subsequent owner of these cars wishes they had. The Marti detail report is a treasure I wish my car qualified for. This '68 GT500 convertible is certainly closer to as delivered condition than is mine. The fact that it's represented as a survivor car, and priced as such, makes it all the more interesting. BUT, that status opens it to critical eyes and questions.

My question is directed to the side scoops. They appear to have a metal mesh. I always thought the mesh was a GTCS only thing. I wonder if the original owner replaced the side scoops entirely, or just added the mesh, to typically open scoops, to minimize the amount of road stones from being trapped there.

I'm adding pictures to make it easier to see what I'm pointing out.

Steve

[Coralsnake]

Your assessment of the scoops is correct

[Bob Gaines]

I have seen the screen on a 68 Shelby scoop before where the owner explained that he installed it because he thought he was missing something after seeing a few CA specials.

[Coralsnake]

The cal special scoop is not open, the screen merely covers the fiberglass.

Im going to bet a donut, the steering wheel was changed out.

Dying to know...

[Bob Gaines]

The cal special scoop is not open, the screen merely covers the fiberglass.

Im going to bet a donut, the steering wheel was changed out.

Dying to know...

Yes the screen cleverly disguises the fact that the Cal Special scoop is closed off. That is it's purpose on that car. It was quite interesting on the car I saw how the owner of the 68 Shelby rigged up the screen to sit in the scoop opening thinking he needed it.. 

[Coralsnake]

Here is the build sheet as posted in the ad. Note the check off does not specify the "deluxe" wheel / Line "D" Box "3"  . The ID number is also for a standard wheel, not a woodgrain wheel. The deluxe wheel is denoted "8MA  600 A1A"

[Special Ed]

So was that a mistake on assembly line pete as I would think the deluxe steering wheel would have been part of the deluxe interior coded into the build of the car not a separate option?

[J_Speegle]

So was that a mistake on assembly line pete as I would think the deluxe steering wheel would have been part of the deluxe interior coded into the build of the car not a separate option?

Do recall that on Mustangs the deluxe steering wheels were separately available as well as part of a larger package so we have examples of standard interiors with the deluxe wheel.

In the case of a deluxe 68 interior I also find it odd that one was not included/installed but not one that focuses closely as others on this year and plant. Sure those guys will comment

[Coralsnake]

For Mustangs, I do think its a stand alone part. I do not think it's an error.

My best guess would be supply issue, since all build sheets at this time are similar. It is surrounded by deluxe wheels before and after.

[Special Ed]

YYeah  and maybe when the car came in the new owner claimed it should have a deluxe steering wheel like other 68 shelbys he seen so the dealer changed the steering wheel out a simple switch 1 nut.  I never heard of anything but 3 spoke deluxe steering wheels on 69 shelbys boss 429s and mach 1s.  But in 70 the steering wheel was a separate option (except on mach1 and boss 429) even on deluxe interior cars you could get a deluxe 2 spoke or 3 spoke depending on how u ordered the car.

[Coralsnake]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiCGbj0NAKI