The car as it looked later until today in Jim Philion's ownership.

The car as presented in June 1983 at the Carlsbad Raceway in Southern California.

This car had been "officially recognized" for a long time as a SA notchback prototype.  The last SAAC registry (1997) still listed this car as prototype car and notchback # 1 and the car presented here on the left with door #68 was actually shown at the Monterey Historics some time in the mid 80ies. It was also pictured in various SAAC publications.

Photo courtesy Ken Garcia

The car became a mystery in the period shortly before an auction sale in 2008. 
According to then hints from insiders there were 3 reasons mainly for an alert given to the auctioneers:
A) Tt never raced for the Shelby team in 1967
B) it carries a 6-cyl engine code acc. to the Marti report
C) it's VIN was altered to a V8 digit some time in its history
D) The Marti report also indicated that it might have been used as a dealer promo car instead, the address was a Tennesse dealership.

The later history was recorded like this:
Purchased in 1970 by Craig Moscotitz (MA)
Purchased in 1971 by Peter de Silva (MA) and used in hillclimbs and autocrosses
Purchased in 1979 by Peter Stish (PA) and a restoration started, which was completed by Ted Gildred  in Terlingua livery after he purchased it in 1982. 
Displayed at the Monterey Historics 1983. 

Last known owner as of 2008 through into 2012 Jim Philion.

As mentioned earlier it was offered at the Russo and Steele auction in 2008, but pulled prior to the event due to an information given by SAAC.
 

Editors note: (updated 1st January 2012) 

We received meanwhile some insight into a documentation that will reclaim the cars authenticity:
The 200 pages report was done in a major research about many so far unknown 67/68 TA season details and brought up more history information about this prototype for the 68 T/A season from the original owner including history logbook on this car and statements of Mitch Marchi (retired Ford designer and working at Kar Kraft from 66-68) about this car. 
We show you the presented details of the history of this car to judge yourself.

According to that report, proof will be shown that state:
A) The car was built exactly the same date as the first batch of the 25 notchbacks delivered to Shelby American, but at Dearborn, December 28, 1966
B) The car was redirected during production by Jaques Passino to be send to Kar Kraft 
Remark: Kar Kraft had the order from Ford to develop changes for the 68 Trans-Am season. The most obvious visible parts are the Kar Kraft flared fenders, that were made there plus many suspension and other items.  

C) The car was purchased by Tom Tlusty from Kar Kraft (who was also responsible for purchasing, accounting and inventory of Kar Kraft) in August 1967 with the intended purpose of turning it into a hobby racer
D) Mitch Marchi, then Kar Kraft design engineer, remembers the car sitting all season 1967 in front of his office and states this in a confirmation letter. He also confirms some more details about the car (see excert below)
E) The VIN was altered due to insurance reasons at Kar Kraft when it got a V8 HP there. Minimum two other 68 T/A cars got altered VINs there.
F) Tom Tlusty sold the car in 1969 after redirecting his interest to 68 SA notchback #2, which was more than ready to race.
G) He sold the prototype car to a friend in Ohio whom he knew from military service. 
From there the known history is mostly agreed. 
According to the report Chuck Cantwell, Austin Craig and Peter Stish checked the car out in 78/79, before the restoration started.



We will keep you updated about the arguments and counterarguments that may follow.

Disclaimer: We're not taking a role in that case, just reporting on the issue and will keep you updated to make your own judgement. In the end the related parties will probably need to review presented facts.