By Khris Bharath – October 05, 2026
1-of-249: Shelby Series 1 With Only 334 Miles Listed for Sale
Recently, Carroll Shelby's former Daytona Coupe became the most expensive American automobile ever sold at auction, selling for a staggering $42.9 million. Only six were built, putting an original well beyond the reach of most collectors, even as replicas offer a more accessible interpretation of the legend. The Series 1 occupies a different corner of the Shelby story. Built decades later, it is rare and significant in its own right, with just 249 original production cars, yet remains a considerably more attainable way to own a low-production sports car conceived by Shelby himself. This 1999 Shelby Series 1, currently listed on duPont REGISTRY by John Scotti Automotive LTEE, represents something particularly unusual for Carroll Shelby. Unlike the AC Ace-based Cobra or Mustang-based GT350, the Series 1 was developed from a clean sheet and remains the only production car designed and engineered by Shelby from the ground up. <- Gallery -> This example, chassis CSX 5140, makes that connection to Shelby tradition immediately apparent, finished in the classic combination of silver with blue racing stripes running from nose to tail. Five-spoke wheels with polished outer rims fill the arches, while a polished fuel filler cap provides another period detail out back. Inside, Carroll Shelby's signature appears prominently on the seats, while the odometer reading of just 334 miles makes this roadster something of a time capsule. The car’s underlying philosophy is remarkably simple: a big engine up front, a tight two-seat cockpit in the middle, rear-wheel drive, and three pedals with a stick. There is something distinctly American about that formula, borrowing the straightforward appeal of American muscle while wrapping it in the proportions and construction of an exotic sports car. An extruded-aluminum chassis sits beneath carbon-fiber and fiberglass body panels, helping keep weight at roughly 3,000 pounds. The choice of engine was every bit as unusual. Instead of Ford power, Shelby turned to GM and chose the 4.0-liter L47 Aurora V8, which produces 320 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, paired with a rear-mounted ZF six-speed manual transaxle. Zero to 60 miles per hour takes roughly 4.4 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 170 miles per hour. Its proportions and philosophy should also bring to mind another American performance icon of the 1990s, the first-gen Dodge Viper RT/10. Both combine a long hood, compact two-seat cockpit, rear-wheel drive, and manual transmission. While the Viper too has increasingly gained recognition as a collectible icon of its era, the Series 1 seen here adds exotic construction, far lower production, and the storied Shelby name. More than a quarter of a century later, the Series 1 remains an uncommon sight on the collector-car market, with examples seldom offered for sale. We previously spotlighted a Series 1 prototype when it came to auction, while this remarkably low-mileage example presents something different. This isn't a Cobra replica, nor is it another Mustang derivative. Instead, this remarkably low-mileage example preserves Carroll Shelby's clean-sheet sports car formula almost exactly as it emerged from an extraordinary period of American performance-car history. Click the link below for pricing and more information. View Listing If you're interested in financing any other exotic car, be sure to get pre-qualified.
