1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible

Here is a genuine crown jewel of first-generation Shelby history — a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible, Shelby number #03117, fully authenticated in the SAAC Shelby Registry. As one of just 404 GT350 convertibles built for 1968 — the inaugural year Shelby production moved under Ford control to Ionia, Michigan — this drop-top is inherently rarer than its celebrated fastback counterpart. Purchased new in July 1969 from Jack Gibbons City Ford in Watchung, New Jersey, it carries an extraordinary 36-year single-owner static garage storage history spanning 1982 to 2018, a provenance chapter that speaks volumes to its preservation and pedigree. Finished in exquisite factory Sunlit Gold over black vinyl, this open-air Shelby pairs undeniable rarity with the one-year-only powertrain configuration serious collectors chase for a lifetime. This is an investment-grade acquisition of the highest order.

Engine & Transmission

Numbers-matching, factory-original 302ci V8 — engine block stamping matches chassis sequence #185142
Desirable factory 4-speed manual transmission, the enthusiast’s configuration
Robust 9-inch rear end for confident, muscle-era performance
3.89:1 conventional gears for spirited acceleration
Extra Cooling Package and heavy-duty battery documented from the factory

Exterior

Resprayed in factory-correct Sunlit Gold (Y code) in the early 1980s
Black power convertible top for effortless open-air motoring
Reproduction Shelby wheels that complete the unmistakable stance
Factory-style replacement exhaust system
Front and rear bumper guards plus wheel lip moldings

Interior

Black vinyl luxury bucket seats (6AA), true to the factory build
Date-coded seatbelts with shoulder harnesses
Elegant wood-grain interior accents
Tilt-away steering column for added comfort and access
The iconic padded roll bar — a signature GT350 convertible detail
AM radio and Interior Decor Group appointments

Suspension & Brakes

Power front disc brakes for confident, modern stopping authority
Power steering for precise, easy control
Balanced chassis worthy of the Shelby name

Additional Info & Provenance

Fully authenticated in the SAAC Shelby Registry as Shelby #03117
Accompanied by a Deluxe Marti Report documenting original production data, features, and options
Data plate decoded: 8 (1968), 76B luxury convertible, J (302 V8 4V), 5 (4-speed manual), Y (Sunlit Gold), 6AA (black vinyl), 3.89:1 axle, 8D2807 DSO (Home Office Reserve), 20C build date
One of just 404 GT350 convertibles built for 1968
One of only 214 built with the 4-speed manual
One of just 97 finished in factory Sunlit Gold
Includes the Visibility Group and Interior Decor Group
36-year single-owner static garage storage (1982–2018)

Investment-grade Shelby convertibles with this depth of documentation, this level of rarity, and a one-year-only GT350 powertrain rarely surface on the open market. For the discerning collector seeking to add a fully authenticated, numbers-matching piece of Shelby heritage to a serious portfolio, this Sunlit Gold GT350 Convertible is an opportunity that demands immediate attention.

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