Shelby GT500KR Convertible Sold for Record Price
A rare 1968 Shelby GT500KR convertible fetched $385,000 at a recent auction in Nashville.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Car Culture
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A 1968 Shelby GT500KR convertible sold for $385,000 at the Mecum Nashville 2026 auction. This sale set a new record price for the specific convertible body style.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the enduring collector demand for rare American muscle cars from the 1960s. It represents a significant benchmark for enthusiasts tracking the valuation of limited-production Shelby models.
The vehicle features a 428-cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8 engine paired with a Toploader four-speed manual transmission. Only 517 units of the GT500KR convertible were produced by Shelby in 1968.
The players
Mecum Auctions
This company is a major American collector car auction house that facilitates the sale of high-value vintage and classic vehicles.
Shelby American
This automotive manufacturer is famous for high-performance modifications of Ford vehicles, notably the GT500 series.
The details
The restored, numbers-matching Acapulco Blue vehicle includes a build sheet and a Marti report verifying its authenticity. It is currently the second most expensive GT500KR ever sold, trailing behind the absolute record sale for the model.
Timeline
The GT500KR model was originally produced in 1968.
A previous record sale for the convertible body style occurred in September 2024.
The auction sale of this Acapulco Blue vehicle took place in September 2026.
Roadmap
The record-breaking sale reflects a broader trajectory in the collector car market where authentic, high-performance American muscle cars command increasing premiums. This reinforces the status of limited-production Shelby vehicles as blue-chip assets against other high-value vintage marques.
Prospective collectors should note that verified provenance, such as a build sheet and Marti report, significantly influences the final hammer price of classic vehicles. Buyers at future auctions should anticipate heightened competition for low-production, numbers-matching muscle cars.
The takeaway
Collectors interested in the muscle car market should prioritize vehicles with complete documentation to protect their investment value. This sale confirms that demand for rare, high-performance 1968 models remains exceptionally strong among enthusiasts.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving value of vintage performance vehicles, explore our Car Culture archives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Autoevolution.
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