SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1968 Shelby GT350/500/500KR => Topic started by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 03:27:00 AM

Title: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 03:27:00 AM
Does anyone know the shelby numbers of the last 1968 GT500KR Convertible produced?
Are these known?  I have a puzzling sign that was in the bottom of a box of stuff I am going through saying "Production Number 518" with no context and when I read through all the other papers I do not really seen any citation or support unless it is on one of the documents that are photocopies of stuff that I really do not understand the context of.
Trying to prepare and sort all the docs for the next owner and want to make sure I am accurate about things.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: Coralsnake on January 11, 2022, 06:18:28 AM
Yes, the numbers are known. It’s unlikely you have the last KR built.

“518” is a reference to the total number of convertible KRs built.

A picture would be most helpful, I’m surmising from your post, this was a sign made by a previous owner?

Because, cars were not always built in strict numerical order, it’s probably better to describe a car by its Shelby serial number. In this case your Shelby number would need to be around 4400, in order to be a contender for the last convertible.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 11, 2022, 07:19:54 AM
Definitely a question to ask the '68 Registrar.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: Coralsnake on January 11, 2022, 10:18:14 AM
Numerically 4423 is listed as the last KR convertible
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 10:19:52 AM
Yes, the numbers are known. It’s unlikely you have the last KR built.

“518” is a reference to the total number of convertible KRs built.

A picture would be most helpful, I’m surmising from your post, this was a sign made by a previous owner?

Because cars were not always built in strict numerical order, it’s probably better to describe a car by its Shelby serial number. In this case your Shelby number would need to be around 4400, in order to be a contender for the last convertible.

I think it is very doubtful too, which is why I was confused by the sign.  I believe it was just poor wording on the sign.  It is 4047 but the production date does NOT match the Shelby number sequence because the original owner ordered the car and then canceled his order.  So, it was built on July 19, 1968 according to Ford or July18 according to Marti.   Sold in February of 1969.
The build date is getting close to the end but I figured not close enough.  You helped me with this car with a couple referrals.  That plan was vetoed by my wife (I am building to 57 restomods, corvette and bel air) and I spent way too much fixing everything I could find from the car sitting 5 years.   I am trying to gather, sort and then put together the information and documents I have in some manner that the new owner will be able to read through them.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 10:22:42 AM
Numerically 4423 is listed as the last KR convertible
Thanks so much.  Looking at the sign and thinking about it, it does make sense that he was telling people how many were made.
4423 does not have the production date listed in the Shelby register.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 10:35:47 AM
Additionally, this sign had the wrong production date (close but off by a couple days) and the Ford letter was dated 2004 and there are Marti Reports from 2006 and 2007.  So, I assume the sign was made before 2004.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 11, 2022, 10:41:45 AM
The total number was originally thought to be 518 but was later changed to 525.

The last one by date is not necessarily the highest number on the VIN tag either although the KR's are the most consistent with Ford v Shelby numbers being in chronological order.

So regardless of how someone words it, it could be "controversial".

"One of the last built" might be a better way to phrase it?

I'd go with what the 68 Registrar says. Ask Mongo. Mongo know!
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 10:48:59 AM
The total number was originally thought to be 518 but was later changed to 525.

The last one by date is not necessarily the highest number on the VIN tag either although the KR's are the most consistent with Ford v Shelby numbers being in chronological order.

So regardless of how someone words it, it could be "controversial".

"One of the last built" might be a better way to phrase it?

I am not going to use anything like that in my description unless it was known, I am not sure it would matter anyway.  I do not think July 19 would be the last Conv KR before the august break.   Since there were 5XX made you would assume there were some in the last weeks of July too.

EDIT:  To be clear, I am not using the sign, it is just among the items that were in the trunk of the car and will be in the trunk of the car when the new owner gets it.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: Coralsnake on January 11, 2022, 11:14:30 AM
Where is 525 number coming from? I have not heard that before. The correct number is still 518.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: Mongo on January 11, 2022, 11:29:38 AM
518 KR convertibles built and is confirmed by Ford & Marti records. Last KR convertible built #04423.
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: johnjack on January 11, 2022, 11:31:22 AM
518 KR convertibles built and is confirmed by Ford & Marti records. Last KR convertible built #04423.

Do you know the Ford Production date of that car?  It was not in the Shelby Registry
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: Coralsnake on January 11, 2022, 11:39:51 AM
Why do people question the power of the Coralsnake?

🤷🏻‍♂️
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: Bill on January 11, 2022, 12:39:44 PM
Why do people question the power of the Coralsnake?

🤷🏻‍♂️

They don't know you like we do  ;)
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 11, 2022, 01:20:00 PM
Why do people question the power of the Coralsnake?

🤷🏻‍♂️

True. It's just mystic.

MONGO's the man!  ;)
Title: Re: Last 1968 GT500KR made?
Post by: 427heaven on January 11, 2022, 02:13:00 PM
BATA BOOM BOTA BING- Black and white, finally a SHELBY answer that does not run in the Gray area. Thank You! He who asks shall receive.