1968 Shelby Mustang GT350, GT500 and GT500KR. Greg Kolasa

a close second), although the traditional color scheme experienced a steady decline in popularity for the remainder of the car’s existence.

STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE, BY DESIGN

      Every year of the Shelby Mustang is unique and can be thought of as a separate step in the car’s evolution. Because they were built some 2,200 miles from the marque’s birthplace (and, in fact, by an entirely new and different constructor), the 1968 models are often thought as being the turning point in the Shelby Mustang evolution.

      There is, of course, some degree of merit to that assessment, but actually, a more solid argument can be made that in 1967, the Shelby Mustang made its largest single evolutionary leap. The car emerged from the design process with a totally unique look that was the greatest stylistic departure from the Ford Mustang (and the Shelby Mustang of the year prior). Moreover, that design process took a completely different approach, one that would have been unthinkable just two years prior.

       For 1967, the Shelby GT got what it needed: complete stylistic divorce from its Mustang roots. A whole new nose and tail (unfortunately rendered in ill-fitting fiberglass from multiple, small-run suppliers) made the car look, as Carroll Shelby wanted, “like it was going 100 mph standing still.” The ’67 Shelby GT was now looked upon as much more than just a Mustang with stripes. The installation of the 428 gave rise to the GT500 and pushed the Shelby GT into the true “muscle car” category.