Good Luck Beating This Stunning ’68 Shelby GT500
A Modern Rebirth of a Classic Muscle Car
The 1968 Ford Shelby GT500 was already a legend in the world of muscle cars, known for its bold presence and raw power. It would roll into parking lots as if it owned the place, commanding attention with every turn of its engine. But when Classic Recreations got their hands on it, they transformed it into something entirely new—a modernized version that blends the iconic design of the original with cutting-edge technology.
A Carbon Fiber Makeover
Classic Recreations gave the GT500 a Hollywood-style reboot, swapping out traditional steel panels for lightweight carbon fiber. This change not only reduced the car’s weight by hundreds of pounds but also helped bring the overall weight down to around 3,200 pounds. The result is a vehicle that feels more agile and responsive than its original counterpart, no longer just a straight-line bruiser.
Under the hood, the car now features a third-generation Coyote V8 engine, equipped with a Whipple Stage 2 supercharger. This powerful combination produces enough horsepower to make even the original 428 Police Interceptor V8 from 1968 seem like a mild-mannered commuter. The engine’s performance is matched by a modern chassis setup, which ensures the car handles better than ever before.
Performance That Leaves No Doubt
This GT500 isn’t just about looks; it delivers serious power under the hood. The Whipple-supercharged Coyote engine can propel the car to 60 mph in the low-three-second range, and it can complete the quarter-mile in the 10s with the right tires. This is a massive improvement over the stock 1968 model, which could manage 0-60 mph in about six seconds and the quarter-mile in the mid-14-second range. Today’s standards are much higher, and this modified GT500 meets them with ease.
To keep everything running smoothly, the car is equipped with a Be Cool crossflow radiator and dual electric fans, ensuring that the engine doesn’t overheat under boost. The exhaust system, featuring Stainless Works long-tube headers and a MagnaFlow-equipped setup, exits through integrated side pipes, delivering a sound that’s more like Armageddon than Detroit. A programmable ECU manages fueling and timing, making sure the Coyote remains reliable even when pushed to its limits.
Power Delivery and Handling
Power is sent rearward through a ten-speed automatic transmission, all the way to a Ford 9-inch rear end with a 3.70:1 gearset. Reinforced driveshaft and heavy-duty pinion seal ensure that everything stays intact when the boost hits. Halibrand-style 18-inch wheels, wrapped in 275/35 front and massive 335/30 rear Nitto NT01 tires, keep the car planted on the road. Wilwood brakes with red calipers and cross-drilled rotors provide strong stopping power, ensuring that the car can come to a halt as quickly as it accelerates.
Detroit Speed suspension components, Rod & Custom rack-and-pinion steering, and tubular subframe connectors give the GT500 a tight and precise feel, allowing it to carve corners with composure rather than the lumbering style of many 1960s muscle cars.
Interior Upgrades for Function and Style
The interior upgrades are just as impressive as the exterior. Procar bucket seats with red RJS Racing harnesses keep you securely in place, while a MOMO-wrapped wheel fronts Shelby-logo red-dial gauges, including a 200-MPH speedometer and 10,000-rpm tach. A Kenwood touchscreen linked to Focal speakers, a Kicker subwoofer, and an amp provide entertainment, though the Coyote’s howl might be hard to ignore.
More Than a Tribute
Classic Recreations built this GT500 to be more than just another Shelby tribute. It’s a 240-grand carbon-bodied beast that is faster, sharper, and louder than anything Carroll Shelby ever sold off a dealer lot. The fact that it still wears a 1968 VIN makes it that much more audacious and desirable, proving that some classics are meant to evolve.