1968 Ford Shelby GT500 0001-4654

This official archive image documents the 1968 Ford Shelby GT500, the big-block Shelby Mustang built around a 428 cubic inch V8 with fibreglass bonnet, sequential Thunderbird tail lamps and Lucas driving lamps. 1968 was the first year Shelby production moved from California to the A.O. Smith plant in Michigan, and the year the GT500KR arrived with the 428 Cobra Jet.

What Made the 1968 GT500 Different?

By 1968 the Shelby Mustang had moved from Carroll Shelby's competition-focused GT350 toward a large-engined grand touring car. The GT500 carried a 428 cubic inch V8, extensive fibreglass bodywork including a new nose and bonnet, and a full complement of driving lamps.

Production moved that year from Shelby American in Los Angeles to the A.O. Smith facility in Livonia, Michigan, under Ford's direct control — a change that marks 1968 as a turning point in the programme.

What Was the GT500KR?

In April 1968 Ford released the 428 Cobra Jet, and Shelby immediately adopted it for a new version called the GT500KR — 'King of the Road'. The engine was rated at 335 horsepower, a figure almost universally regarded as understated.

The KR replaced the standard GT500 partway through the model year, so 1968 Shelby production splits into pre-Cobra Jet and Cobra Jet cars, a distinction that matters considerably to collectors.

What Are the 1968 GT500's Identifying Features?

Details that define the car:

• 428 cubic inch V8, replaced mid-year by the 428 Cobra Jet in the GT500KR
• Fibreglass nose, bonnet with scoops, and rear deck spoiler
• Sequential tail lamps taken from the Ford Thunderbird
• Lucas or Marchal driving lamps in the grille opening
• First model year built by A.O. Smith in Michigan

Who Is This Print For?

This 1968 Shelby GT500 print appeals to Shelby collectors, GT500 and Cobra Jet enthusiasts, Ford historians, restoration shops, offices, garages and dealership showrooms. As vintage Ford wall art a GT500 is one of the most valuable and recognisable Mustangs ever built. Choose framed, canvas, metal or Giclée formats for a home office, study, museum display or Ford wall decor programme.

Photograph Details

• Subject: Ford Shelby GT500
• Model year: 1968
• Engine: 428 cubic inch V8
• Details: Fibreglass bonnet, sequential Thunderbird tail lamps, Lucas driving lamps
• Assembly: A.O. Smith plant, Michigan, first year outside California
• Archive reference: 0001-4654

This archival photograph is made available through Fordimages.com, the official Ford archive imagery licensee operated by Richard Weedn LLC. Each image is digitally restored before printing and handcrafted to order.

Available as:

• Framed Print — museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, hanging hardware included
• Stretched Canvas — hand-stretched over 1.25-inch pine bars, heavy cotton poly matte finish
• ChromaLuxe Metal Print — image infused directly onto sheets of alloy metal for maximum vibrancy and durability
• Giclée Art Print — 260gsm satin finish paper, finest archival inks, white border

Made in the USA or Europe depending on your location.

About the Artwork

Artwork in this collection comes from the Ford Motor Company Archives, The Henry Ford Museum, the Carroll Shelby Archives, and the collections of acclaimed photographers and painters from around the world. Reproduction rights are reserved by the respective copyright owners.

Our framed prints feature a black, hand-stained solid wood frame with a white mat, museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, and hanging hardware. The frame features a slim 0.8-inch face and projects 1.3 inches from the wall, creating a clean, contemporary shadow-box effect. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our stretched canvas prints are produced on acid-free, pH-neutral, and fade-resistant canvas. Each canvas is hand-glued to solid wood stretcher bars and stretched over 1.25-inch-thick pine bars. Mounting brackets are included. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our Giclée prints are produced using premium 200gsm semi-gloss paper and high-quality archival inks. Each print includes a white border around the perimeter.

For the 40 x 60 size, we use 250gsm museum-quality archival paper with an off-white, uncoated finish.

The listed size refers to the overall paper dimensions. The image is printed proportionally within the selected paper size. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

ChromaLuxe prints use a state-of-the-art coating process that infuses the image directly onto sheets of alloy metal. The result is photography with an exceptional combination of vibrancy, clarity, and durability.

Each print arrives ready to hang. An alloy subframe on the back allows the artwork to float away from the wall for a sleek, modern appearance. This is the finest-quality print we offer. Made in the USA.

All images are digitally restored before printing. Production location varies by product and destination. Shipping is calculated at checkout.