1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 KR

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Beginning in April 1968, Ford began factory installing a version of the 428 engine known as the "Cobra Jet". The GT500 was subsequently known as The Cobra GT500 KR. The initials KR stood for "King of the Road." Ford rated the Cobra jet at 335 horsepower (250 kW), but with 440 foot-pounds of torque at 3400 RPM, the horsepower was considered significantly under reported. Shelby's KR engine was left stock adding die-cast aluminum valve covers with "Cobra Lemans" to note Ford's FE engine family victory over Ferrari at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967.

By 1968, the Ford Mustang had already gained iconic status, being a popular choice among U.S. sports car enthusiasts due to its lightweight design, powerful drive trains, and aggressive looks. The arrival of the Shelby GT350 in 1965 gave Ford even more credence on the performance market. The Shelbys became increasingly powerful over the years, but that didn’t stop Ford and Carroll Shelby to develop larger and more potent mills. In April 1968, a brand-new version of the 428-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Police Interceptor V8 engine, with improved breathing heads and larger exhaust manifolds, was launched. Dropped into the range-topping Shelby GT500, the new engine gave birth to the Cobra GT500 KR.

The “KR” nameplate stood for “King of the Road,” which suggested that this was the most powerful Mustang ever built as of 1968. According to various sources, the Shelby GT500 KR got it’s name before the car was ever designed/slated to be built. Allegedly, Carroll Shelby got wind that Chevrolet was planning on trademarking the name “King of the Road”, so he got on the phone with his lawyer immediately and had him trademark the name before the folks over at Chevy could.

FoMoCo dropped the GT500 KR after ’68, right before Shelby stopped modifying Mustangs, ending production at a little over 1,200 units. Today, the King of the Road is regarded as the ultimate Shelby Mustang ever produced and it’s among the most expensive muscle cars when it hits the auction block.

The GT500 was launched in 1967, and even though it was significantly heavier than the track -oriented GT350, it had a bigger engine under the hood. Naturally, the car also had several chassis upgrades to make it more suitable for spirited driving, but its main features were the more aggressive appearance and the massive, 7.0-liter V8.

By 1967, the GT500 had already received the 428 V8, essentially a more streetable version of the 427 FE, but it wasn’t until 1968 that Ford rolled out the 428 Cobra Jet. Built for the performance market niche, it had larger intake ports and valves than the regular 428, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, heavier connecting rods, and a nodular iron crankshaft casting. Some engines were also equipped with a functional hood scoop and unrestricted cold air induction.

**Purchase TN:** 55 (To Build) 33 (New) 22 (Used)

• • The Ford Mustang 1968 Shelby GT500 KR requires the Drive Skill to be operated.

• • The Ford Mustang 1968 Shelby GT500 KR has Headlights (provide illumination 5 x that of 2 flashlights), and seat-belts (+2 bonus to saves made to avoid injury during a collision).

• • The Ford Mustang 1968 Shelby GT500 KR has a 4 wheel suspension as a base, this is an extremely efficient way of moving across the ground meaning a car can go 1 ½ its base movement as single move action. (Vehicle Trait)

***Accommodations***

• • 4 Seats

***Power System***

• • 8 cylinder Internal Combustion Engine (PL 5)

***Vehicle Systems***

• • 4x Unit Fuel Tank (PL 5)