When word trickled down that Ford was going to offer the special, Tasca Ford-developed Cobra Jet engine as an option for select models, Carroll Shelby made sure it found its way into the GT500. The Cobra Jet-powered GT500 would be the top-of-the-line Shelby for 1968. The question was what to call it. As the story goes, Lee Iacocca had a meeting with Shelby informing him that Chevrolet was about to release a new version of the Corvette called the King of the Road. Shelby had supposedly always wanted to use that name for one of his cars and figured the Cobra Jet-powered GT500 was the perfect platform. He left the meeting and called his trade dress lawyer in Washington to see if anyone had secured the rights to the name; turns out no one had. Shelby secured the rights and thus, the GT500 KR—the King of the Road—was born.

The 428 Cobra Jet engine was rated at “just” 335 horsepower as a ruse to fool the competition (and the insurance companies). The engine, in fact, pumped out at least 400 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The KR included a number of engine modifications over the 428 Police Interceptor engine in standard GT500s, such as low-riser heads from the famed 427 engine and a beefier crank, rods, and pistons. Additionally, the KR had larger brakes, under-hood suspension bracing, and staggered rear shocks to prevent axle wind-up and wheel hop, making the KR the best of the best.

This 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastback was built on 7 June 1968. It was finished in Raven Black over a black interior and powered by Ford’s legendary 428 Cobra Jet V-8. The engine was backed by a C-6 automatic transmission which sent power to a 3.50:1 Traction-Lok rear axle. It was further equipped with shoulder harnesses, GT equipment group, visibility group, Sport Deck rear seat, power disc brakes, power steering, tilt-away steering wheel, AM radio, interior décor group, as well as a tachometer and trip odometer. Upon completion it was shipped to S&C Motors in San Francisco, California. It is believed to have been dealer-traded to Holiday Ford in Sunnyvale, California, and was eventually sold on 29 November 1968 to its first owner, Candida Bonilla of Daly City, California. Complete ownership history is unknown, but the SAAC registry lists David R. Finner of California as a later owner. The SAAC registry goes on to mention the car was part of a seized vehicle auction in September 2006, where it was purchased by Derek Miller of California.

This Shelby GT500 KR joined a respected Pacific Northwest private collection in June 2011. Still finished in the stunning shade of Raven Black accented nicely by “GT500 KR” rocker stripes, the interior presents nicely as well, with black knitted décor bucket seats separated by a console housing Stewart Warner oil pressure and alternator gauges, and a Philco radio. It retains its factory buck tag on the passenger fender and has benefitted from over $16,000 in service completed in April 2025, with an invoice on file.

One of 1,053 GT500 KR fastbacks built for 1968, this Shelby is documented in the SAAC Registry and is accompanied by SAAC serial number verification, a shipping ledger copy, copy of the 1968 Shelby Automotive invoice to Holiday Ford, as well as a Deluxe Marti Report.