Pre-Production Prototypes







Revised April, 2011

Could you recognize a prototype 1968 Shelby ?

By definition, a prototype is not the same as a production car. These cars were never intended to be sold. They were mock-ups used for testing and parts evaluation. Some of these cars were also used for advertising purposes. Some of these cars were photographed and you have seen the pictures many times. Many of these pictures indicate these cars were at the Los Angeles facilities.

You may be surprised to learn that the design and prototyping of 1968 Shelbys actually began in the fall of 1966! Immediately after 1967 production started, the 1968 preproduction cars began to appear. All of these cars were built between December 1966 and August of 1967. New research, including a careful examination of original photographs, has led to some interesting discoveries.

Originally, five cars appeared in this article. It has been determined that most likely two of the cars (the red fastback and the blue convertible) were actually production cars built after September of 1967. By studying other existing photographs, it also appears that one of the cars was likely repainted during the summer of 1967.

AO Smith was originally prepared to build as many as 8,000 Shelbys during 1968. We do know in very early part of 1967, AO Smith sent two complete sets of prototype fiberglass to Shelby's LA assembly facility. It appears these early parts were unlike the final versions that would later appear on the cars. Various other refinements would be made right up until the time production started in September of 1967. These include adding such items as the Dzus fastners, hubcaps and the new federally mandated side reflectors. Another interesting item was discovered. Early photographs show a variety of stripe and emblem combinations. Most likely these alterations were photographic touchups.

By the end of July 1967, the preproduction cars began to look very much like the regular production cars. The one main difference still being the rocker panel stripes. Two advanced prototypes were sent to Riverside Raceway in California for the official unveiling of the 1968 Shelby. These cars were a blue fastback and a white convertible. The original press release still contained many items that were not finalized for production. Items such as the 427 engine were still listed, just weeks before regular production was scheduled to start.







The red convertible (67413C9A00139) appears as a GT500 in the advertisements I have seen. The car has a front, mount antenna and the pictures show both prototype hubcaps and 10 spokes.

I have received several emails regarding the one 1967 Shelby convertible. If you have a vintage picture of the one 1967 Shelby convertible, I would enjoy seeing it. I am not convinced the car ever existed in 1967 Shelby trim. The timeline for the car does not support that theory. I believe the car became the white, convertible 1968 prototype shown at Riverside. Want to see more of the convertible prototype? Here are some of the pictures collected: Convertible








Update 11/25/11

The convertible prototype has been restored!

The car was unveiled at the Chicago Muscle Car Nationals in Chicago.

The restoration is unbelievable. Most of the cars finer details have been lost over time. Restoration experts worked almost entirely from original, period photographs. Even more remarkable is some recently discovered blueprints confirm their work as being accurate.

Restoring a prototype or engineering car is never easy. The cars were constantly changing at the factory.




Take a look at this photograph. You can hardly see the side emblem. A larger version of this picture was used to recreate the emblem.




Here is a picture of that emblem. It was later determined the emblem was correct per the blueprint, right down to the scale.




The original license plate was recreated.




In this picture you can see the detailed engine.




The rear quarter panel reflectors were not avavilable when this car was built. Shelby designers knew about the new federal requirements, so they fabricated a simulated reflector.

Look for this car at shows during 2012.






The blue fastback is seen as both as a GT350 and a GT500. It commonly has 10 spoke wheels. If you look closely at the pictures you can see the color of the stripes does not always match the model designation. Most people that have studied the photographs closely believe many of the pre-production photographs have been photographically altered. These alterations are primarily changes to the stripes and emblems shown on the cars. You might also note the stripes appear more like those found on 1967 cars. The car has a front mount antenna. The body shows all the characteristics of a 1967 chassis.

Want to see more of the blue fastback prototype? Here are some of the pictures collected: Blue Fastback

If you have some information on any of these cars please let me know. If you have any seen any other strange 1968s, I would appreciate hearing from you.