The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible stands as one of the most iconic and rare models in the Shelby Mustang lineup. The convertible represents a tiny fraction of the total Shelby Mustangs built that year, highlighting its exclusivity and appeal among collectors and enthusiasts. The 1968 model year also marked essential changes, including the relocation of Shelby production to Michigan, which improved build quality and integration with Ford’s manufacturing.
Distinctively, the GT350 Convertible featured a 302-cubic-inch V8 engine delivering 250 horsepower paired with a 4-speed manual transmission, providing a balance of performance and handling that set it apart from other Shelby models.
Styling elements like the fiberglass hood with twin scoops, side stripes, and unique badging gave it an aggressive yet refined look, while the interior offered bucket seats, a center console, and optional air conditioning. This combination of rarity, performance, and styling makes the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible a standout in the muscle car era.
Let’s discuss what sets the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible apart.
History of the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible
The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible was introduced as a limited-production, performance-oriented luxury convertible, marking a significant evolution in Ford’s performance lineup. With only 404 units produced, it stands as one of the rarest Shelby models of its era, underscoring its exclusivity and desirability among collectors.
Carroll Shelby’s collaboration with Ford in the 1960s transformed the Mustang from a standard pony car into a high-performance vehicle. His vision led to the creation of the Shelby GT350 Convertible, which combined the Mustang’s iconic design with enhanced performance features. This partnership solidified Shelby’s legacy in the muscle car era, blending style with power.
Shelby’s Role in the 1960s Muscle Car Era
Carroll Shelby played a pivotal role in shaping the American muscle car era, transforming the standard Ford Mustang into a high-performance legend. His modifications focused on enhancing engine power, suspension, and handling, creating vehicles that were competitive on both the street and track.
The Shelby GT350 Convertible exemplifies this vision, combining a lightweight chassis with a performance-tuned 302-cubic-inch V8 engine, producing 250 horsepower. Shelby’s influence extended beyond performance, setting design trends with aggressive styling, racing stripes, and distinctive badging that became synonymous with Shelby Mustangs.
1968 as a Turning Point for Shelby Mustangs
The 1968 model year marked a significant evolution for Shelby Mustangs, introducing key design and performance upgrades over the 1967 models. Changes included a more refined body design, improved suspension for better handling, and updated safety features that enhanced driver confidence.
Additionally, the relocation of Shelby production from California to Michigan helped streamline quality control, resulting in more consistent and reliable vehicles. These innovations solidified the GT350 Convertible as a performance-oriented yet luxurious muscle car, setting the standard for subsequent Shelby models.
Key Features of the 1968 Shelby GT 350 Convertible
The following features made the GT350 Convertible a formidable contender in the muscle car arena, offering both exhilarating performance and open-air driving enjoyment.
- Rarity & Legacy: Only 404 units were produced, making it one of the most sought-after Shelby models in history.
- Engine & Transmission: Powered by a 302 cubic inch V8 producing around 250 horsepower, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission for an authentic muscle car driving experience.
- Exterior Styling: Distinctive fiberglass hood with ram-air scoops, GT350 side stripes, and a ducktail rear spoiler set it apart from standard Mustangs.
- Interior Design: Equipped with bucket seats, a center console, and full instrumentation, all designed to highlight its performance-oriented nature.
Now, let’s delve into more detail about the engine options, styling elements, and interior features that made the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible a standout in the muscle car era.
Engine Options and Performance
As mentioned earlier, the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible was powered by a 302 cubic inch V8 engine, producing 250 horsepower at 4,800 RPM and 310 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 RPM. This engine was mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, providing a balance of power and drivability.
Performance figures include a 0-60 mph time of approximately 6.9 seconds and a quarter-mile time of around 15.4 seconds. These specifications made the GT350 Convertible a formidable contender in the muscle car arena, offering both exhilarating performance and open-air driving enjoyment.
Styling and Design Features
The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible showcased distinctive styling elements that set it apart from standard Mustangs. Notable features include a fiberglass hood with ram-air scoops, GT350 side stripes, and a ducktail rear spoiler.
The car’s exterior was complemented by chrome accents, sequential taillights, and a factory-style rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive stance. These design cues not only improved aerodynamics but also contributed to the car’s iconic muscle car aesthetic.
Interior Features and Comfort
Inside, the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible offered a driver-focused cockpit with performance-oriented features. The interior included bucket seats upholstered in Comfortweave vinyl, a center console with a padded Shelby armrest, and a full complement of gauges, including an oil pressure gauge, ammeter, and clock.
Moreover, a Philco AM radio and a tilt-away steering column enhance driver comfort and convenience. The interior’s design balanced performance needs with luxury touches, providing an engaging and comfortable driving experience.
Performance and Handling of the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible
The Shelby GT350 Convertible wasn’t just about straight-line speed; it was a carefully engineered balance between performance and drivability. At the same time, many muscle cars of the late 1960s focused heavily on raw horsepower, but Shelby prioritized precision, agility, and driver control.
This made the GT350 Convertible feel equally at home on a racetrack as it did on winding country roads. Its engineering reflected Carroll Shelby’s racing pedigree, with suspension and braking systems that worked in harmony with the V8 powerplant.
Suspension and Handling Enhancements
The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible featured significant suspension upgrades over the standard Ford Mustang, aimed at delivering sharper handling and improved high-speed stability. Key enhancements included heavy-duty coil springs, adjustable shock absorbers, and stiffer front and rear sway bars.
When compared to rivals like the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS, the GT350 offered more precise steering feel and a sportier, more European-inspired driving balance. While the Camaro excelled in raw straight-line acceleration with its available big-block engines, the Shelby GT350 Convertible stood out for its nimble cornering ability and reduced body roll.
Driving Performance and Real-World Experience
The ‘67 GT350s’ 300 lb-ft of torque enabled 0-60 mph sprints in approximately 6.9 seconds and quarter-mile runs in the mid-15-second range.
Contemporary drivers often described the experience as raw and mechanical, with quick throttle response, firm suspension feedback, and an unmistakable exhaust note.
Consumer feedback from the era praised its balanced performance, noting that the GT350 Convertible felt equally at home on winding backroads as it did cruising at highway speeds. While it lacked the brutal acceleration of some big-block competitors, its composure, handling precision, and open-top driving experience made it a favorite among enthusiasts seeking a more refined muscle car.
Legacy and Impact of the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible
The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible holds an enduring spot in Shelby Mustang lore, bridging the performance legacy of the GT350 lineage with elegant open-top styling. As one of the first Shelby convertibles, its introduction expanded the appeal of the Shelby Mustang beyond hardtop performance purists and attracted a new group of enthusiasts seeking both muscle and style.
Over the years, its bold design and performance pedigree have inspired subsequent Shelby models, reinforcing its importance in the evolution of American muscle, especially for those models that carry forward the Shelby ethos of raw power paired with driver engagement.
How Did The 68 GT350 Convertible Influence Modern Day Muscles?
The spirit of the 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible echoes in modern Shelby Mustangs, particularly the track-focused GT500 models. Modern versions preserve the heritage of performance-led design, enhanced chassis tuning, and visually aggressive styling like pronounced scoops and stripes.
The contemporary GT500’s ultra-powerful V8 engine and sharp handling dynamics, delivered through advanced suspension tech, can trace their conceptual lineage back to Shelby’s 1960s philosophy: deliver raw power while maintaining control and driver connection. This continuity reflects Shelby’s lasting influence, as Ford continues to honor his tradition of building Mustangs that are thrilling, muscular, and unmistakably Shelby.
How to Identify a 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible
Start with a systematic inspection: find and photograph every VIN/data plate, the Shelby aluminum tag, the engine block pad/castings, and any surviving build sheets or buck tags. Cross-check those factory numbers with a Marti report and the Shelby/Shelby-Registry records before trusting visual cues alone. Many clones and restomods use period parts that look right but don’t match the factory paperwork.
MustangSpecs provides a detailed guide about the VIN information on the ‘68 Shelby GT350 convertible.
VIN Decoding and Documentation
For VIN decoding and documentation, you can follow the steps below:
- Photograph the VIN stamping in the inner fender, the dash VIN plate, and the door data plate, and compare the exact digits.
- Order a Marti Report (it reproduces factory build data and option codes) and compare the Marti’s engine code, body style (03), color, and trim to the car. If the Marti shows a convertible and the VIN/body codes do not match the physical vehicle, that’s a red flag.
- Check the engine block pad/castings and carburetor/base plate for partial VINs or casting numbers; Shelby often left partial Ford VINs on the block and stamped engine pad data that should match the Marti/door tag.
- If the car claims an original Shelby serial, verify it with the Shelby registry/SAAC listings or request a Shelby Authenticity Certificate where applicable.
Identifying Unique GT350 Features
Below are the tangible visual & hardware items that consistently differentiate a genuine 1968 GT350 Convertible from a standard Mustang or a later restomod. Check each item against the Marti/build sheet and the VIN.
Exterior
- Fiberglass hood with twin ram-air scoops and a pronounced hood opening (many genuine GT350 convertibles used the fiberglass hood).
- GT350 side stripes, distinctive GT350 badging and cobra emblems, and the “ducktail” (Kamm) rear spoiler with the unique rear panel and sequential taillight setup. Early photos and auction catalogs are useful matchup references.
Interior
- Comfortweave vinyl bucket seats (many convertibles used this material), a Shelby-padded center console/armrest, a full instrument cluster (oil pressure, ammeter, clock), and a wood-rim or Shelby-style steering wheel on many cars.
- Compare the trim code on the door tag to the fitted upholstery.
FAQs
How can I restore my 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible?
A proper restoration involves engine rebuilding, bodywork, paint refinishing, chrome restoration, and interior refurbishing. Always source original or NOS (New Old Stock) parts where possible. You can find detailed restoration guides from Mustang360 and expert tips from the Shelby American Automobile Club. You can also purchase a restomod 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible from Revology Cars with numerous upgrades.
How do I identify a 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible?
Look for VIN codes starting with “8T03J” (indicating a 1968 model year, convertible body, and 302 V8 engine). Authentic cars have GT350 badging, functional hood scoops, and matching engine block numbers.
What is the difference between a Shelby GT350 Convertible and a hardtop?
The convertible features a folding soft top, additional chassis reinforcement, and a slightly heavier curb weight compared to the hardtop. While both share the same 302 V8 powertrain, convertibles typically command higher prices due to their rarity; only 404 units were built in 1968. Learn more from Hagerty’s comparison guide.
Start Your 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible Journey Today
The 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible is far more than just a vintage Mustang; it’s an enduring symbol of American muscle car heritage. With its iconic styling, 289 V8 performance, and limited production numbers, it offers the perfect blend of collectability and driving excitement.
If you’re considering adding one to your collection, now is an ideal time to research available models, connect with restoration experts, and familiarize yourself with current market values. Explore reputable platforms like Revology Cars and consult with trusted restoration specialists to ensure authenticity and quality.