Makes › Shelby American › GT350 › GT350 Convertible (1968) · Rare specification · 1968 Very Rare
Shelby American
GT350 Convertible (1968)
First regular-production Shelby GT350 convertible (302 V-8)
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Sicnag · CC BY 2.0
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Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 404 Built
- Years
- 1968
- Engine
- 4,950 cc / 4.9 LFactory: 302 cu in · converted
- Power
- 186 kW / 253 PSFactory: 250 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 1968 convertible was the first open GT350, introduced because of customer demand. A plastic-covered integrated roll hoop identified it. Shelby built 4,451 cars for 1968 in all, and only 404 were GT350 convertibles.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package production1968 GT350 convertibles built | 4041 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
For 1968 production moved from California to a facility closer to Ford in Michigan, as the building lease ran out and Ford took over most of the production, and Carroll Shelby was losing control of the car. A convertible was offered for the first time that year. The GT350 front end had a much larger grille opening and a twin-scoop hood, and the car was marketed under the Cobra name.
The engine was a modified 302 rated at 250 hp in basic form. One catalogue notes that 183 convertibles were finished in Highland Green over black vinyl deluxe bucket seats.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard GT350 Convertible (1968).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 4,950 cc / 4.9 LFactory: 302 cu in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Holley four-barrel carburettor, aluminium intake manifold2,3 Independently researched |
| Power | 186 kW / 253 PSFactory: 250 hp · converted2,4 Independently researchedThe 1969 catalogue recap also lists a 335 bhp high-performance version. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Four-speed manual; automatic also fitted2,5 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's – 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible (Monterey 2024) Level B
- 404 1968 GT350 convertibles built
-
2
1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible (Auburn Fall 2016) Level C RM Sotheby's · 2016-01-01
- 302-cid, 250-hp V-8 engine
- factory aluminum intake and carburetor
- paired to a four-speed manual transmission
-
3
1968 Shelby Cobra GT350 Convertible Level B Supercars.net
- Holley 4-barrel carburetor
-
4
1969 Shelby GT350 SportsRoof (Staluppi Collection) Level C RM Sotheby's
- 250 brake horsepower in basic tune, or 335 in high performance garb
-
5
1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible (Monterey 2024) Level C RM Sotheby's · 2024-01-01
- three-speed automatic transmission
Keep exploring
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-
Shelby American · 1968
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