Pre-Production Prototypes
Would you recognize a prototype 1968 Shelby ?
I believe there were probably five "1968" Shelbys built during the 1967 model year (before August 1967). 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. The cars were also used extensively for advertising purposes. These cars were photographed and you have seen them many times.
Many of the pictures indicate these cars were at the Los Angeles facilities.
This is an attempt to document the cars. The cars are listed in no particular order. It is unlikely these cars were given
a 1968 Shelby serial number. Their most likely fate was the crusher. It would take extraordinary documentation to authenticate one of these cars.
The red fastback appears in several advertisements. The car can be recognized by the Marchal fog lights and hubcaps.
Interestingly, the photos of this car were later altered to make it appear as a GT500KR. If you study the "King of the Road" ad, you will see the
Marchal lights and square reflectors.
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. You might also note the stripes appear more like those found on 1967 cars. The car has a front mount antenna.
Want to see more of the blue fastback prototype? Blue Fastback
The red convertible 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.
The white convertible is certainly one of the more interesting cars. The side stripes on this car also change from GT350 to GT500. I can recognize this car because
the spoiler does not seem as pronounced as other 1968 Shelbys. This is another indication this car was a pre-production car.
The blue convertible may have actually survived. There is some evidence that this car was actually the single 1967 Mustang convertible sent to the Los Angeles (Shelby) assembly plant.
The car was a 1967 chassis with many 1968 parts on it. This included all the 1968 Shelby fiberglass and a '68 deluxe interior.
I believe this car to have been at the Elkhart Lake Shelby convention in 1997. If you have photos of the car, please let me know.
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. I believe the car became the blue convertible 1968 prototype.
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.
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