Shelby GT500 Replica Is Real Enough For Us
1968 GT500 replica packs the legendary 428 Cobra Jet V8, a manual transmission with just enough modernization to rock our world.
If you have seen the price original Shelby GT500s go for, you’ve probably felt the pain of knowing you can’t afford one. Likely, the best shot most of us have at owning one is to get a re-creation. That being said, if it were like this one, we couldn’t be mad at all. This 1968 GT500 re-creation is a belle of the ball on the outside with the heart of a monster under the hood.
The Wimbledon White weapon will cross the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2020 event. The auction was set to take place in April but has been postponed to October. While this may not be a true GT500, it has all the spirit of one. In fact, you likely wouldn’t even know it wasn’t one if someone didn’t tell you. From the blue racing stripes to the legendary fog lights and hood pins of the GT500 front end, there isn’t a single detail not attended to.
Furthermore, the interior is an extension of the attention to detail. Everything down to the Cobra badging on the steering wheel and dash is perfect. Even the stitched Cobra logo on the center console is present.
Indeed, this car is as perfect a replica there could be inside and out. That being said, it does differ from the original in one aspect.
Modern GT500 performance
While it looks like a typical 428 Cobra Jet V8 sitting under the hood, it packs more heat than that. This 428 features a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads with a Holley 750 CFM Carburetor. There’s no flat-tappet camshaft here, either. This engine has a full conversion to roller rockers and a thumping roller camshaft. Lastly, it is bumped up to 9.7:1 compression. While we don’t know an exact power figure, it is relatively safe to assume it’s well into or above the 500 horsepower range.
Obviously, some supporting modifications are necessary for this monumental power. This car features a full four-wheel disk brake conversion, a five-speed manual transmission, and a Ford nine-inch rear end with two-piece billet axles and 4.11 final drive gearing. It also has strengthened lower control arms, a custom 1.5-inch sway bar setup, Koni suspension, and a rebuilt close ratio steering box. There isn’t a piece of this thing that hasn’t seen an upgrade.
Though things like this are somewhat difficult to estimate the price on, we have a decent idea for this one. Why you ask? Well, twelve years ago, this very car sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2008 for $51,700. There is one significant difference, though. Back then, it had an automatic transmission. We aren’t sure who is responsible for the manual swap, but we have to applaud their decision.
Overall, we can’t put an exact estimated number on this fantastic recreation. However, we are super excited to see what it does go for. We’ll definitely be watching come October!
Photos: Barrett-Jackson