1968 Ford Mustang GT500 Tribute

1968 Ford Mustang Fastback GT500 Tribute

This stunning and ominous-looking machine underwent a full rotisserie restoration less than 11 years ago. Complete with a molded body kit, bumpers, hood, and scoop, it is bathed in beautiful Night Black paint and accented with Peppercorn Gray racing stripes, which start at the bottom of the front body-molded bumper and continue through to the rear body-molded bumper panel.

The functional hockey stick cove is now a “vent” on both sides of the rear quarter, plumbed to cool the brakes. The B-pillar scoops are functional “vents” that connect to the interior rear roof vents to cool the rear cabin when opened. The grille features a simple horizontal multi-bar design flanked by upgraded LED headlights. All insignias, badges, and lettering have been removed and smoothed, with the only galloping horses now found under the hood. Shelby-style wheels wrapped in low-profile BFG radial tires keep this powerhouse glued to the road.

Since the restoration, the car has had two owners. Its most recent owner made many improvements between 2023 and 2024.

Interior:

• Keyless entry
• Clean stainless metal panel inserts surrounded by black vinyl on the doors
• Power window switches replace the window crank
• Polished aluminum and wood Shelby GT500-style steering wheel attached to a stainless steel tilt steering column
• Custom-designed dash with white-faced Autometer gauges and brushed metal accents, featuring Carroll Shelby’s signature
• Vintage Air AC, Pioneer stereo CD player, and Pioneer 6×9 speakers in the rear compartment
• Black leather high-back bucket seats with full 5-point harnesses
• Black carpeting in excellent condition with no fading or staining
• All panels and trim are clean, smooth, and black
• Trunk finished neatly in vinyl, carpet, and bright trim, housing a Red Top Optima battery inside a protective metal box
• Tasteful two-point roll bar

Drivetrain:

• Restored 351 V8 engine, bored and stroked with top-of-the-line components
• Edelbrock roller rockers, MSD ignition, Holley carb, Hooker headers
• Tremec 5-speed manual transmission with Hayes clutch and scatter shield
• Electric fuel pump and fans
• Showing 3,322 miles

Undercarriage:

• Heidts suspension with Total Control coil-over front and rear shocks
• Rack and pinion steering
• Ford 9″ rear end with 3.73 gears
• Wilwood calipers on drilled and slotted Wilwood rotors
• Stainless steel brake lines

Improvements Made Between 2023 and 2024:

• Engine removed, cleaned, and resealed with new gaskets
• New oil pan and rerouted NOS lines (currently NOS is not connected but can spray the relief valve for show)
• New NOS bottle (in blue)
• Replaced all glass, driver/passenger glass trim, seals, and power motors
• New billet hood hinges and door handles
• New steering wheel
• Added proper power brakes with hydro-booster and new master cylinder
• Added power steering with a new power steering pump and hoses
• Rewired the entire car with new harnesses
• Added LED headlights with integrated amber halo turn signals and sequential LED taillights
• Added electronic parking brake, horn, and Dynomat sound deadening to the interior
• Replaced the modern stereo with an era-appropriate Custom Autosound stereo and Kicker audio speakers plus a hidden amp
• Added a proper trunk release
• Replaced all glass and seals, power window motors, and battery
• New ceramic headers and polished exhaust tips
• Resurfaced clutch
• New tires and paint correction (10k in correcting bodywork and paint)

A total rebuild to star-status muscle car, leaving us with a virtually new-looking 1968 Mustang GT500 that exudes power, makes a great noise, and provides creature comforts with a dollop of NOS just in case. Beautiful color, AC, leather seats, and a high-end build that won’t be missed when you pass by admirers. Hurry before it’s “Gone In 60 Seconds.” These pictures were taken before the last owner’s improvements. The overall looks haven’t changed.