- 428 Cobra Jet V8 powerplants are potent
- A more aggressive look
- A way to keep the Cobra name alive
The new model replaced the early 1968 Shelby
428 Cobra Jet V-8 engine
One of 933 produced 1968 Fastback KRs
Up front, 1968 cars have the extended fiberglass nose cone, individual S-H-E-L-B-Y lettering adorning the top section, and a pair of rectangular driving lights fitted into the grille cavity. A scooped and vented fiberglass hood was part of the package, providing a large dome area that housed the functional ram air system.
The rear of the Shelby featured a fiberglass-spoilered tail with the same S-H-E-L-B-Y lettering as the front. Chromed exhaust tips are used and a pop-open gas cap. No matter which angle was viewed, these cars appear different from the less-expensive Mustang.
Power steering with 16-to-1 ratio and power disc front brakes were standard equipment, as were adjustable shocks front and rear. Heavy-duty suspension is part of the big-block Shelby Mustang package and on these King of the Road models; the rear drums were larger in size. Also, shock towers were beefed-up for added structural rigidity and staggered rear shocks were featured on manual transmission applications. Posi-traction is standard equipment unless A/C was chosen.
Hot Rod Magazine tested a 1968 4-speed Fastback GT 500-KR in their November '69 issue and was able to get a 14.01 elapsed time at 102.73 miles per hour with it, and in their March 1968 issue, they were able to crank out a quicker 13.56 @ 106.64 mph out of a 428 Cobra Jet-equipped car, only in a lighter street car Mustang version.
What is amazing about this car is it’s still in original condition, the paint, the interior, and the engine compartment, all still look like they did the day it was purchased, only the battery, oil filter, and tires have been replaced from when it was driven off the Ford lot.
After the photo shoot of the pristine KR, we strapped ourselves in the car and went on a little joy ride to exercise the big Cobra Jet engine. Once the engine temperature gauge showed the mill was warmed-up and ready, it was time to open-up them secondaries—“waaah”—and let the throaty 428 show off its power - This beast had a nasty growl to it!
