Beschreibung:

302ci OHV V8 Engine Single 4-Barrel Carburetor 306bhp at 6,000rpm 4-Speed Manual Transmission Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes *Striking Acapulco Blue GT350 Fastback *Offered with Marti Auto Works Deluxe Report *3-Pedals and 4-Speeds for ultimate control *Highly-optioned example THE SHELBY MUSTANG Ford created a new class of car almost overnight with the introduction of the Mustang sports coupe part way through the 1964 model year, catching the rest of the US auto industry off guard. Brainchild of Lee Iacocca - subsequent savior of the Chrysler Corporation – the Mustang is one of the most remarkable automotive success stories of modern times and arguably the pinnacle of his long career with Ford. Aimed at the affluent young, for whom a car was as much a lifestyle statement as means of transport, the Mustang succeeded brilliantly, achieving sales in excess of a quarter million by the end of '64. This remarkable debut was followed by a staggering 524,791 sales in 1965, earning Ford a fortune. Legendary Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby's team had been campaigning Ford's Mustang 'pony car' with considerable success in North America, winning the SCCA's B-Production title three years running in the mid-1960s. Capitalizing on his success, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs, which were officially sanctioned and sold through selected Ford dealerships. The first Shelby Mustang - the GT350 - arrived in 1965 powered by a modified version of Ford's 289ci (4.7-liter) small-block V8 producing 306bhp, with options of a 340-360bhp unit in competition trim or 400bhp supercharged. A four-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox was the stock transmission on early Shelby Mustangs, though a heavy-duty, three-speed automatic soon became available as an option. The running gear was up-rated appropriately to cope with the GT350's increased performance, though outwardly there was little to distinguish Shelby's GT350 from the standard product apart from a pair of broad 'racing' stripes down the body centerline. On the open road there was, of course, no comparison. When the factory introduced a 390ci 'big-block' V8 option on the Mustang for 1967, Shelby went one better, installing Ford's 428ci (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8 to create the GT500, one of the great, iconic musclecars of the 1960s. The Shelby Mustang continued to be based on the stock version, receiving the latter's styling changes and mechanical improvements while retaining its own distinctive special features until production ended in 1970. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED The 1968 GT350 offered here is presented in the desirable Acapulco Blue exterior color, just as it sported when new in 1968. According to the comprehensive Marti Auto Works Deluxe report on file, this Shelby GT350 was completed as a Fastback model at the Metuchen plant in April of 1968. Contrasting the Acapulco blue exterior was a Saddle-colored interior with bucket seats, while the desirable 4-speed manual transmission was fitted to give the Shelby the best possible performance. The cars long list of options included the extra cooling package, visibility group, sport deck rear seats, power steering, power front disc brakes, tilt away steering column, AM radio, interior décor group, heavy duty battery and front and rear bumper guards. The car was one of just 1,053 Shelby GT350s produced in 1968, and just 48 of which were finished in the Acapulco Blue over Saddle livery. Today this striking Shelby GT350 retains its original configuration, still sporting the desirable 4-speed manual transmission. Similarly, the interior and exterior retain the original livery, yet some tasteful mechanical and cosmetic performance upgrades have been added to aide drivability and give the car a little twist. Restoration work has been performed over the years, and the Shelby presents in beautiful condition throughout. This would be a splendid car to take on high-speed rallies such as the Copperstate or Texas 1000,