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carroll shelby personal cobra

By Edward Jones –  January 01, 2021

Carroll Shelby's Personal 427 Cobra Being Auctioned by Me...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - One of the crown jewels of Carroll Shelby’s personal collection, this 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra, CSX3178, was owned by Carroll Shelby from the day it was assembled in March 1966 until his passing in May 2012. One of just five 427 Cobras finished in gorgeous Charcoal Gray, the car arrived at Shelby’s LAX facility with a black interior and without an engine and transmission, like all Cobra did. The Shelby American work order specifying “Build 427 Street Cobra CSX3178” was opened on January 7, 1966, and closed on March 3, when it was shipped to Carroll Shelby’s Dallas home sporting a 427 with dual quads and a 4-speed Toploader transmission. In 1972, Carroll Shelby’s friend and renowned Cobra specialist Mike McCluskey restored CSX3178, repainting it in Guardsman Blue with a gold nose. At some point in CSX3178’s life, Carroll Shelby felt he needed more horsepower and installed an aluminum-head 427 side-oiler engine with an automatic transmission. In 2002, the home crew at Shelby American in Las Vegas, Nevada, repainted Carroll Shelby’s famous Cobra in red. In 2016, the car was purchased from Carroll Shelby’s estate by the consigner, at which time it became the subject of a complete concours restoration by renowned Cobra restorers Legendary Motorcar Company, which returned it to its original Charcoal paint color and its original 427 configuration with a 4-speed. Carroll Shelby’s lifelong personal 427 Cobra is the big brother of CSX2000, the original small-block Cobra. CSX2000 recently sold for almost $14 million. CSX3178 occupies a hallowed place in Cobra history, and it is the only 427 Cobra Carroll Shelby owned from new until his passing. Imagine sitting in the seat that Carroll Shelby sat in for all those years and all of the conversations he had with his famous passengers (friends and racers)—if only this car could talk. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own Carroll Shelby’s lifelong personal 427 Cobra, and CSX3178 occupies a hallowed place in Cobra history as perhaps the most significant of all. View Listing

01-1583864567028@2x

By Andrew Nabors –  May 01, 2020

Mecum to Preview Unprecedented Shelby Collection on NBCSN

John Atzbach spent most of his life hunting and selling the works of Carl Faberge. Needless to say, he knows the value of artwork along with the attention to detail it requires. That is what captured his attention about Carroll Shelby's creations. Admiring all things Shelby with the same respect as Faberge, he amassed a collection that will leave you speechless. That's why you must tune in at 4 p.m. ET, as Mecum will preview this unprecedented Shelby collection on NBCSN. The press release mentions priceless examples, such as: a 1965 GT350 R-Model, a Paxton-supercharged 1965 GT350 Prototype, the first production 1966 and 1967 GT350s by serial number and the first 1966 GT350 convertible of just four produced. Click the button below to view the collection, and tell us your favorite car in the comments below. View Collection " width="680">

Shelby Mecum Feature

By Andrew Nabors –  October 20, 2017

1965 Shelby Cobra To Be Auctioned at Mecum Las Vegas

A weight advantage can make or break your chances of winning. In a straight line, nothing else matters but all-out power. It was drag racing that made big block V8 engines popular. When it comes to road racing, a big block can be a big headache. That is how the small block powered Shelby Cobras were able to dominate on the track. Much like the Corvette Stingray, the Shelby Cobra was not originally designed to handle 650 lbs of V8 on the front end. The 427 powered examples are fun, but it takes a very experienced driver to control them in the corners. That is why the 289 Cobras have seen a resurgence in popularity. Only a few years ago they weren't considered as collectible as their big-block brethren, but since Mr. Shelby's untimely departure the original examples are bringing massive returns on the auction block. That is why Mecum is offering CSX2549 at their Las Vegas event. One of the rarest examples, it was built with a C4 automatic transmission. Carroll Shelby's personal cars and only a handfull of others were built as automatics. This car was used as a display for Shelby's Hi-Performance Motors, his dealership in El Segundo, California. A fully documented history shows it was most recently owned by Cobra collector Jerry Heasley, who commissioned Wayne Davis to return it to showroom condition. From seat covers to the wire wheels, most of this car is factory original. The high-revving 289 and the indestructible C4 are a recipe for fun and comfort in this classic Cobra. Click the link below to learn more. View Listing

Cobra Main

By Andrew Nabors –  June 30, 2016

First Cobra Ever Heading to RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction

Mr. Shelby owned many cars over the years, but nothing in his estate comes close to the first production Cobra. Used as a test platform for new parts and as a press car for journalists, chassis CSX 2000 is unique in many ways. While later cars received the 289 V8, this car is powered by its original 260ci engine. Leaving this car in original condition is like having a time capsule back to racing in the early 60's.(Also Check Out: DragonSnake Shelby Cobra Sells for $1.3 Million)It will be the centerpiece of RM's Monterey auction which is taking place August 19-20. Offered for sale by the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, it will be joined by a 1965 Cobra 427, chassis CSX 3178 which is also offered without reserve. These cars are probably the most well-known Cobras, as they have been reviewed in countless car magazines, Shelby advertisements, and the centerpieces of the Shelby HQ in Las Vegas. What makes the big block car unique is that it left the factory with an automatic transmission to be Carroll's weekend cruiser. Other lots from the Trust will be a 1999 Series 1 Roadster followed by the spunky 1986 Dodge Shelby GLHS. Mr. duPont has been known to buy cars at this event, so we hope he brings at least one of these back to Florida. Stay tuned as Monterey week approaches, as we will have real-time social media from the event.

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