To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Hershey event, 5 - 6 October 2022.

• Sold new through Phillips Ford of Manheim, Pennsylvania
• Nicely equipped example finished in correct Lime Gold over Black vinyl interior
• Accompanied by Marti report and documented in the SAAC Registry
• Bought new by a father as a gift for his son who was serving in Vietnam

Building on the success of the Ford Mustang-based 1965 and 1966 GT350s, Shelby American introduced the GT350’s first refresh in 1967. This 1968 Shelby GT350 Fastback left the factory finished in Lime Gold over a Black vinyl interior. According to the accompanying report by marque expert Marti Auto Works, it was equipped with shoulder harnesses, the extra cooling package, the visibility group, wheel lip moldings, the “Sport Deck” rear seat, power disc brakes, power steering, an AM radio, the interior decor group, a heavy duty battery, as well as a tachometer and trip odometer. It was shipped to Francis For Fords in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Shelby was sold as part of Shelby’s Summer Sales contest on 9 October 1968 with Francis For Fords’ salesman Bill Murphy receiving credit for the sale. Interestingly however, it wasn’t sold directly to a customer but to another dealer, nearby Phillips Ford in Manheim, Pennsylvania. That same day Phillips Ford salesman Vic Buchter sold the car to Gerald J. Weitzel of Willow Street, Pennsylvania who traded in a 1965 Pontiac LeMans Convertible for the Shelby GT350. Mr. Weitzel purchased the car for his son, Gerald, who was serving in Vietnam. Upon his return from Vietnam, he enjoyed the car in its original shade of Lime Gold, later adding a set of Torq Thrust wheels. Under his ownership the car was later painted blue in the early to mid-1970s. He would go on to own the car until approximately 1979 when he sold it to a gentleman in York, Pennsylvania.

The subsequent owner purchased this GT350 in 1999 and commissioned a full cosmetic restoration. At some point the car had been painted candy apple red, so it was stripped to bare metal and returned to its original combination of Lime Gold with Black vinyl interior. During the restoration, the bodywork and engine were found to be in sound condition and all the chrome trim was replaced. It rides on 10-spoke Shelby wheels shod in Goodyear Polyglas tires, with a full spare in the trunk. It’s powered by a 302-cubic-inch V-8 engine backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Power steering and power brakes are welcome driver assists. The interior is equipped with a roll bar with integrated shoulder harnesses, Cobra branded seatbelts and console armrest, Philco radio, and Stewart Warner accessory gauges. Under current ownership since early 2021, this GT350 is said to have further benefitted from having the carburetor rebuilt and a new set of tires installed. The car is documented in the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) Registry and is accompanied by a copy of the original sales invoice, Marti Report, and a set of steel wheels with Shelby Cobra wheel covers.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf22.