Rare 1968 & 1970 Shelby Convertibles on Display at Shelby Heritage Center

The Segerstrom Shelby Event Center (SSEC) in Irvine, California, is showcasing a pair of historically significant convertibles at the Shelby Heritage Center (SHC) in Las Vegas. The 1968 Shelby GT500KR convertible and 1970 Shelby GT500 drop top are rare examples of Shelby American vehicles that represent a “first” and a “last” convertible built during the golden era of muscle cars, according to a press release. They are on display inside the Shelby American factory’s Heritage Center through Dec. 15, 2026.

“Shelby has been the leader in American performance vehicles since 1962,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “The Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas tells the story of our successes over the decades, delivering a sense of the passion and engineering poured into every car and truck we build today. The generous loan of these two important cars by Ted and Rae Segerstrom adds depth and diversification to the vehicles and displays currently on exhibit. The Segerstroms’ convertibles are another reason to visit Shelby American this year.”

Established in 2013, the Shelby Heritage Center is home to over 30 Shelby vehicles, and free tours are offered daily. The 15,000-square-foot Heritage Center sits adjacent to the 150,000-square-foot vehicle production facility. Shelby constantly rotates its vehicle inventory and placement to keep things fresh, the release noted.

The First: A 1968½ Shelby GT500KR

The first car on loan to the SHC is a striking blue 1968½ Shelby GT500KR, which marked a major milestone in enthusiast history. When Ford introduced the legendary 428 Cobra Jet V-8 midway through production of the 1968 model year, Shelby renamed his car the GT500KR, short for “King of the Road.”

“Our 1968 Shelby GT500KR drop top was the first convertible sold to the public,” said Ted Segerstrom, president of operations at the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center. “With only 517 total Shelby GT500KR convertibles produced for 1968, this remarkable vehicle represents one of the rarest and most celebrated muscle cars of the late 1960s.”

The Last: A 1970 Shelby GT500 With Drag Pack

The other convertible loaned by the Segerstroms was the last Shelby convertible built during that time. The 1970 Shelby GT500 convertible is equipped with the Drag Pack option, a 428 SCJ engine, a 4-speed close-ratio transmission, Traction-Lok rear end and special oil cooler. Its Wimbledon White paint was available only through special order and the black hood stripes were a new feature for 1970.

“Production of the first-generation Shelby GT500 ceased in 1970, but what an end it was,” said Rae Segerstrom, vice president of operations. “In the GT500’s final season, only 36 total convertibles were equipped with a 4-speed and only 21 had the rare Drag Pack option. It would be almost 40 years before another Shelby GT500 convertible would be offered to the public again.”

About the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center

The two cars can usually be seen in the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center, which has become the spiritual home of Shelby American in Southern California. It offers an immersive experience that integrates vintage automobilia and signs throughout the facility, the company said.

Ted and Rae have collected more than 90 Shelby and Ford vehicles. They opened the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center in 2021 to share their collection with the public.

Profits from the SSEC are donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Ted, a 32nd-Degree Mason, maintains close ties to Masonic organizations, including participating in Shriners Tin Lizzies parades and events.

Visitors to Shelby American in Las Vegas can get a taste of the Segerstroms’ impressive collection for a limited time through the pair of vintage convertibles at the Shelby Heritage Center.