1968 Ford Mustang GT350 Clone

Description

Tributes and clones are a great way to get into a dream car for a smaller price, and this 1968 Shelby GT350 fastback tribute certainly does it right. It has a long list of authentic parts, a strong running 302, and the right look to make everyone at the local show do double-take when it rolls in. And all that's on top of a car that's just plain fun to drive.

A lot of clones take a few parts and throw them on a fastback Mustang and call it a Shelby, but the guys who built this one were students of the marque, creating a car that's virtually indistinguishable from the original. They stripped it bare and started from scratch to build an ultra-clean GT350. No "authentic" mistakes, no wavy fiberglass, just high-quality workmanship and correct details like the scoops on the quarter panels, the right Shelby nose, and a custom fiberglass deck lid with spoiler. Of course, you also get a fiberglass Shelby hood that fits better than most originals and doesn't change shape in the hot sun like the old ones did. Then it was all covered in gorgeous Acapulco Blue paint and a set of white GT350 stripes on the rockers. They chose to forego the body stripes for a cleaner look, and since that was a no-cost option at Shelby, it's all good. Then it was covered with correct Shelby emblems and badges plus brightened chrome bumpers and polished stainless trim. This is one heck of a nice car.

More authenticity inside, where you'll find a set of buckets and a no-frills, combat-read interior. But they didn't phone it in here, either, because you'll even find such small details as a correct deluxe steering wheel with Shelby logo and woodgrained insert. The transmission is a 4-speed, not a modern 5-speed, so while you give up some cruising comfort, you definitely get the authentic experience, especially with a Hurst shifter on top. The original gauges are in nice shape with clear lenses and bright markings, and all the soft parts appear to be new, so it's quite nice all around. A factory AM radio still lives in the dash, but there's a hidden AM/FM/CD stereo head unit powering speakers throughout the interior, so it looks right but sounds far, far better than stock. It does have a fold-down rear seat, which is handy, but the cargo area is full of subwoofers and amplifiers, and I don't think you'll miss the storage space. The trunk is also nicely outfitted with a full-sized bias-ply spare and mat.

1968 GT350s used a 302 cubic inch V8 that's virtually indestructible. Of course, with a tribute car, a few liberties are permitted, and this one sports a dual quad intake with twin Holleys living under a finned COBRA air cleaner. Matching valve covers and a Ford Blue block complete the Shelby look and everything around the engine was restored to as-new condition. There's a big radiator up front and a dual master cylinder for the power disc brakes. It's a strong runner and makes great sounds thanks to Tri-Y headers and a reproduction exhaust system. Out back there's a rugged Ford 8-inch rear end and even the floors have correct red oxide primer still clinging to them. Shelby suspensions weren't all that different from a standard Mustang's, but they did replicate many of the factory markings and there's a recent gas tank hanging out back. 10-spoke Shelby alloy wheels are a great look and wear modern 225/60/15 radials that fill the fenders perfectly.

Beautifully built, very accurate, and surprisingly fast, this Shelby tribute is too good to just call a "clone" but if you aren't talking, we won't either. Call today!