Super Rare 1968 Shelby GT500 Prototype Is American Royalty

This is not your typical though already extremely special Carroll Shelby-built GT500. And yes, this is another case where a new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 isn’t quite as cool as the original. That’s because this all-original Shelby is one-of-a-kind. In fact, its existence may have been unknown to some, until now. Set to cross the stage at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event later this month is this 1968 Shelby GT500 EFI prototype.

What’s ‘EFI’? The Conelec fuel injection system. Shelby’s chief engineer, Fred Goodell, decided it was needed to boost performance and improve fuel efficiency. Shelby himself was always on the lookout for new technologies and wasn’t afraid to experiment since maintaining his success in both motorsport and road car sales was vital.

The Shelby engineering team also experimented with superchargers, independent rear suspension, and other systems aimed at pushing the performance limit. One technology, however, was a stand-out. Goodell tested fuel injection systems on four Shelbys, though only this example and one other received this state-of-the-art electronic multi-port-style EFI system. It’s also the only fastback of the bunch. Power comes from the 428 Cobra Jet V8 paired to a three-speed automatic transmission.

Codenamed Serial #101, it was one of the first 1968 Shelbys to roll off the line but unlike the rest had many hand-built components, such as the fiberglass body elements.

It’s supposedly the first GT500 to have the Ram Air hood, while other special features include air conditioning (a rare thing back in ’68), an AM radio, pre-production console and taillights, sound deadener, 1969-style tires and shocks, and the torque-sensitive locking rear differential. Painted in Sunlit Gold over a black interior, #101 underwent a fully documented concours-quality restoration by a known Shelby historian. It’s now back to its original condition and even the rare fuel injection system was restored using original blueprints and 3D printing to fabricate original parts.

Offered at no reserve, the sale includes a complete owner history and other original documentation.