Home 1968 Shelby Cobra GT350, GT500 & GT500KR 1968 Shelby Cobra Specifications

1968 Shelby Cobra Specifications

ModelsMy GT 350GT 350GT 500GT 500 KR
List Prices
in 1968
$3500 in 1982Fastback $4,116
Convertible
Fastback $4,317
Convertible $4,438
Fastback $4,472
Convertible$ 4,594
Engine
TypeV-8, iron block, water cooledV-8, iron block, water cooled
HeadsEdelbrock E-Street AluminumCast iron, removable
ValvesOverhead, pushrod/rocker-actuatedOverhead, pushrod/rocker-actuated
Max BHP310 HP at 5500 rpm250 @ 4,800 rpm
With Paxton Supercharger
335 @ 5,200 rpm
355 bhp @ 5,400 rpm335 bhp @ 5,600 rpm (actual horsepower was closer to 400bhp same as the 68 1/2 Cobra Jet Mustang)
Max Torque360 lbs. ft @ 4200 rpm310 lbs.-ft @ 2,800 rpm;
With Paxton Supercharger
325 lbs.-ft @ 3,200rpm
420 lbs.-ft @ 3,200 rpm440 lbs.-ft @ 3,400 rpm
Bore4.05″4.05″4.13″4.13″
Stroke2.87″2.87″3.98″3.98″
Displacement302cid, 4272cc302cid, 4272cc428cid, 7051cc*428cid, 7051cc
Compression Ratio9.110.5:110.6:110.6:1 (optional drag racing pistons 12.5:1)
Cylinder Heads & ValvesIntake port 2.02″ intake valve, 1.60″ exhaust – 60cc combustion chamberIntake port 1.78″ intake valve, 1.45″ exhaust – 53cc combustion chamber Large intake port with 2.06″ intake valve, 1.625″ exhaust valves
Induction systemHolley 600 CFM Brawler 4 barrel dual feed with mechanical secondaries & electric chokeSingle Holley four-barrel, 600 cfm
R-4069;
Optional- Paxton Supercharger
Dual Holley four-barrel
715 cfm R-4129
Single Holley four-barrell, 735 cfm
R-4168/manual
R-4174/automatic
Intake ManifoldCOBRA Aluminum hi-riseCOBRA Aluminum hi-riseCOBRA Aluminum intakeCast iron version of aluminum intake
Cam shaft lift & durationComp Cam valve lift :.509 intake, .512 exhaust:
duration: 268 degrees intake, 280 degrees exhaust: XX degrees overlap, Lobe center: XXX degrees intake, XXX degrees exhaust..
 Stock Ford Cam #C3AZ-6250-V, valve lift: .368 intake, .381 exhaust; duration: 270 degrees intake, 248 degrees exhaust; 50 degrees overlap, Lobe center: 114 degrees intake, 104 degrees exhaust. .481 ” intake, .490″ exhaust
290 degree
Exhaust systemTriY Headers with H-Pipe & Dual exhaustStandard, dual exhaust
Electrical system12-volt distributor system12-volt distributor system
DistributorPertronix electronic points in C8ZF-12127-AC8ZF-12127-A/manual
C8ZF-12127-D/automatic
C8ZF-12127-JC8ZF-12127-T
Fuel consumption13-15 mpg9-11 mpg9-11 mpg
Chassis
FrameUnibody, weldedUnibody, welded
BodySteel & fiberglassSteel & fiberglass
Front suspensionUnequal arms, performance coil springs (Spring rates: 600lbs/in.), adjustable strut rod arms, spring perches, Bilstein tube shocks, .94″ anti-sway barUnequal arms, coil springs (Spring rates: 320lbs/in.); extra capacity telescopic double tubular adjustable shocks; .94″ diameter anti-sway bar
Rear suspensionLive axle, Mid Eye 4.5 leaf multi-leaf axle, semi-elliptical springs (139 lbs/in), Bilstein tubular shocks and custom windup dampers.Live axle, 4 multi-leaf, semi-elliptical springs, (135 lbs/in.), adjustable tubular shocks and custom windup dampers
Tire type and sizeGoodrich TA -Front Tires 215/65R15,
Rear Tires 245/60R15
Goodyear Speedway 350 E70-15″ 4 ply nylon wide path tires, 130 MPH standardGoodyear Speedway
350 E70-15″
Goodyear Speedway 350 E70-15″
Wheel SizeShelby Ten Spoke Aluminum 15X7″Steel Rims & Hubcaps 15×6″ or optional 15×7″
Weights and Measures
Wheelbase108″
Front track58.1″
Rear track58.1″
Overall height51.8″
Overall width70.9″
Overall length186.81″
Ground clearance5.5″6.5″
Crankcase5 quart5 quart
Cooling system20 quart20 quart
Gas tank18 gallons18 gallons
Curb weight3,146 lbs.3,146 lbs.3,445 lbs.3,570 lbs.
Weight Distribution53/47%53/47%56/44%56.8/43.2%
ClutchMcLeod Stage 2
TypeSingle Dry discSingle dry disc
Diameter10.0″ Diaphragm10.5″ Borg & Beck style11.5″ Borg & Beck style11.5″ Borg & Beck style
ActuationMechanicalMechanical

Transmission
TypeFord Toploader Four speed – stockFour speed, (full syncromesh) Ford Top Loader or
C-4 automatic
Four speed,
(full syncromesh)
Ford Top Loader or
C-6 automatic
Four speed, (full syncromesh) Ford Top Loader or
C-6 automatic
Ratios 4 speedFirst 2.32:1
Second 1.69:1
Third 1.29:1
Fourth 1.00:1
Reverse 2.32:1
First 2.32:1
Second 1.69:1
Third 1.29:1
Fourth 1.00:1
Reverse 2.32:1
Ratios automaticFirst 2.46:1
Second 1.46:1
Third 1.00:1
Reverse 2.20:1
  
BrakesFront 11.3″ Wilwood 4 piston power assisted discs, Rear 10X3″ drums with high performance linings.Front 11.3″ Kelsey-Hayes single piston power assisted ventilated discs with high performance pads; Rear 10×1.75″ drums with high performance liningsFront 11.3″ Kelsey-Hayes
power assisted discs.
Rear 10×3″ drums
Front 11.3″ Kelsey-Hayes power assisted discs
Rear 10×3″ drum
Differential
Ratios: 4 Speed/Automatic3.89 Rear axlestd. 3.89 or 4.11, 4.56 at no additional cost/ 3.50:1std. 3.25 or optional
4.11 or 4.56 at no additional cost /3.50
Drive axles – typeEnclosed, semi-floatingEnclosed, semi-floating
Steering
TypePower Assisted Recirculating ballPower Assisted Recirculating ball
Turns, lock to lock3.5
Turning circle37.16′
Steering ratio16.0:1
Performance
0-30 mph2.8 secs3.0 secs2.5 secs
0-40 mph3.7 secs3.8 secs3.6 secs
0-50 mph4.9 secs5.0 secs4.8 secs
0-60 mph6.3 secs6.5 secs6.9 secs
0-70 mph8.6 secs8.6 secs8.2 secs
0-80 mph10.6 secs10.6 secs10.2 secs
0-100 mph17.1 secs17.1 secs14.6 secs
Quarter Mile14.9 secs @ 94 mph14.75 secs @ 98 mph14.04 secs @ 102.73 mph
Top Speed124 mph @ 6100 rpm119 mph @ 6,100 rpm129 mph @ 5,100 rpm130 mph @ 6,100 rpm
3rd gear96 mph @ 6100 rpm92 mph @ 6,500 rpm116 mph @ 5,500 rpm98 mph @ 6,000 rpm
2nd gear73 mph @ 6100 rpm70 mph @ 6,500 rpm79 mph @ 5,500 rpm75 mph @ 6,000 rpm
1st gear53 mph @ 6100 rpm51 mph @ 6,500 rpm47 mph @ 5,500 rpm55 mph @ 6,000 rpm
Options
 10 Spoke Shelby Aluminum Wheels 15×7
Automatic TransmissionAutomatic Transmission C-4Automatic Transmission C-6
Air Conditioning
Ram-Air Hood
Tinted Glass
Fold-down Rear Seat (Fastback Only)
Ford Traction-Lok Limited Slip Rear End
Detroit Locker Rear End
Mandatory Options:
 BrakingPower BrakesPower Brakes
Power SteeringYes
Shoulder harnessAir Craft Type Shoulder HarnessAir Craft Type Shoulder Harness

*A very few ’68 GT 500’s, if any, actually came from Shelby American with a 427 low riser engine and those were equipped with an automatic transmission. The letter “W” is in the VIN code for an original factory installed 427. If a ’68 Shelby has a 427 engine it was installed after it left Shelby American.
#The Cam used in the stock 302 4V is same as every other 289-302 2V-4V (except HiPo) from ’64-72…