Chris Tann began courting his 1968 Shelby GT500 KR in 2000, but his love of the Mustang began much earlier in his life. He had owned a 1969 Mach 1 Cobra Jet, a 1965 coupe, a 1983 GLX, a 1997 GT, and a 1998 S281 Saleen. But when he saw a ’68 KR on eBay, he knew he had to have her.
The original owners, a father and a son duo, purchased the vehicle new from S&C Ford in San Francisco. After driving her for about 10 years and dabbling in racing at Candlestock Park throughout the 1970s, the owners parked their pony car sideways in the back of a double garage and forgot about her. Its second owner dug her out of hiding 15 years later.
Of all his previous Mustangs, Tann was mesmerized most by his ’68 Shelby. “I should point out that this was 6 months before Gone in 60 Seconds would put the GT500 name on everyone's lips,” says Tann. “But already, the Shelby mystique was strong.”
As the eBay auction ended, Tann quickly realized how badly he wanted the Shelby. “As I watched the final bidding, nursing a horrible hangover, I realised that I had no choice,” he says. “I had to own this car!”
He received the car in “survivor” condition—40,000 miles on the odometer with mostly original parts. “The paint was a little tired, the mechanicals were showing a few leaks, but basically she was solid and sound - right down to the original "S&C Ford" lot-number tag still stuck to the windshield!”
Tann spent the next eight years restoring his steed. He found out that the “tired” paint just so happened to be Special Order Yellow, a color with which only 86 GT500KRs were built.
In 2007, his Stang was “ready to rock” as he says. Not just on the street, but “rock” the bells as well—wedding bells. His resto GT500KR was just in time to be driven as his wedding car.
Tann is especially aware of his Shelby’s importance – he’s reminded of its popularity whenever he takes her to special events around California. That’s why he’s sure to keep her out of the trailer and on the road.
“I should point out that she is not a ‘Trailer Queen,’” says Tann. "I believe these cars were made to be driven!”
Be sure to hit up Chris on the forums- his username is
ctann
For more photos of Tann’s 1968 Shelby GT500KR, please check out the
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