With only 7,104 units built from 1965 to 1969 (out of 2.2 million), the first-generation Shelby GT350 is one of the rarest Mustangs out there. But even so, many GT350s are still locked away in barns waiting to be restored and put back on the road.
The 1968 GT350 Convertible you see here was one of those cars. I say “was” because it was sold to a gentleman who will restore it shortly after the video below was shot. But this beefed-up classic, still an all-original gem, spent a whopping 40 years in a barn.
It’s hard to believe that a classic muscle car like this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 was left in storage since the 1980s. According to the story, the previous owner also owned a 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible in yellow. He chose to keep and drive the more powerful “King of the Road” Mustang, thus the Chevelle was left parked in the garage.
It’s also hard to understand how a vehicle as iconic as a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 could have been left in storage since the 1980s. As the story goes, the previous owner had a choice between this car and a 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible in yellow. He ultimately decided to drive the Shelby GT500KR Convertible, leaving the Chevelle parked in the garage.
This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 may have some patina, but it is completely rust-free and all original. It has all of its original, matching components, including the high-performance V8 engine. The car is equipped with a numbers matching V8 engine, 396 cubic inches, 325 horsepower, and can be paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. This particular car is a great find for collector or enthusiast looking for a original muscle car to restore or keep as survivor.
On top of that, the red paint looks like it will shine again with a good polishing, while the white top is in surprisingly good condition. This GT350 is also a low-mileage classic at only 24,000 miles on the odometer.
The 1968 Shelby GT350 convertible is a rare find, as Ford only produced 404 convertibles out of the 1,664 GT350s built that year. This specific car, with its specific color and options, is even more rare with probably only one of a few hundred built like this. This makes it a highly desirable vehicle for collectors and enthusiasts.
But the even better news is that the gentleman who bought it plans to get it running again and preserve the original paint and interior. And that’s the greatest thing it can happen to a barn-found survivor. Until that happens, see it sitting pretty in a barn in the video below.
//autoevolution.com
