I’m not a suntan guy but I figured I had to have at least one drop-top Shelby Mustang in the collection- and why not make it a KR? After all, 1968 was the first year for production Shelby Mustang convertibles and the KR was the baddest one you could get…so there you have it. But I had to find the right KR. That’s why I was thrilled to find this one: Two owners from new, low miles, all original drivetrain and even the original factory window sticker and original purchase contract are still with the car. Plus, it is a factory Candyapple Red car with factory air conditioning. Since it wasn’t perfect, after 30+ years of being a fun weekend car for the 2nd owner, I decided to do an all-out concours restoration on this one so there are “before” photos posted here.
“OCTOBER 2016 UPDATE
Well, just about a year later and we’re just about done restoring old #4123 to perfection. I’ve posted some “after” photos here for your viewing pleasure. And notice how much my little girl grew in the time it took to bring this KR back to its former glory! The good news is she still loves the car just as much.
“NOVEMBER 2016 UPDATE”
I figured the best way to introduce the now-fully restored KR to the world was to unveil it as part of the Shelby feature at what has been called the Pebble Beach of muscle car shows- the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago. And as long as It was there I figured what the heck, let’s have it concours judged. When I registered Bob Perkins, Chief Ford Judge as well as the head judge for both the MCA and SAAC, suggested that I enter it into their elevated judging class for the new MCACN “Pinnacle” award. Only 4 cars were selected to be judged for this, and I was honored to have the KR just be among them.
But I’m even more honored to report that KR #4123 became the first Ford to win this elite MCACN “Pinnacle” award! This is the most difficult award to win with incredibly stringent judging that inspects every part and finish of the entire car during an hour-plus long process. 950 of 970 points are required to win. The KR scored 962 points, just over a 99% perfect score. 4 of the points deducted were for paint and panel fit that were “too nice,” a deduction happily accepted. I also willingly accepted deductions for the upgraded gas shocks I installed and the “stock looking” AM/FM radio with a USB input so my family could have tunes. I think it says a lot about the quality of our restoration that even with these deductions she still totaled out in the win column. For that I have to thank my dedicated crew here at The Comer Collection that refuses to accept “good enough.”
But don’t worry- #4123 Isn’t going to be a trailer queen or garage art. She was restored to drive, and that’s what we’re doing with her ASAP. Because the process of making an 89-point car from a 99-point one is always a lot of fun too!
*JUNE 2017 UPDATE”
In spite of being exercised as promised above we brought 4123 to SAAC-42 this year and entered it in the Judged Concours. After 2.5 hours of close scrutiny by a team of the worlds foremost authorities on 1968 Shelbys #4123 emerged with a coveted SAAC Concours Gold award. According to authority Pete Disher 4123 is one of just ten KR convertibles to obtain Concours Gold status since 1997.
