Vehicle Description
If you're like most gearheads, you know all about the days when
Carroll Shelby modified dainty roadsters in to monstrous sports
cars that made a habit of carving up tracks. That said, as time
progresses, technology progresses. And a product that once existed
as an innovative hot rod from a legendary racer has now birthed a
hyper-competitive, multi-million-dollar replica market. Today, it
takes a serious plan and highly skilled craftsmanship to even think
about sourcing or restoring a world-class Cobra. And when it comes
to world-class, it doesn't get much better than this killer Shelby
CSX4000. Commissioned by Shelby American of Las Vegas, Nevada, this
all-aluminum beast combines storied heritage with killer looks,
excellent build quality and unbeatable provenance. And what's
better: with names like Kroyer, Tremec and Brembo on its specs
sheet, this professionally-assembled sports car will outperform,
and outlast, just about any classic on the road!
HISTORY/CONDITION
In 1965, amid stiff competition and whimsical homologation rules,
Shelby attempted a total domination of the FIA GT series by
installing a massive Ford 427 in a completely re-engineered AC
chassis. While this creation was a bit crude at the time, it
possessed all the organically frightening charm of a bare-knuckle
collector car. And, even though initial public sales were a bit of
a letdown, authentic 427 S/C's would eventually bring millions at
auction. Today, over 50 years later, big block Cobras are some of
the most valuable cars ever produced. And in the mid-1980s, Las
Vegas's Shelby American decided to honor the icon by authorizing a
lightly updated generation dubbed CSX4000.
Equipped with an official Shelby American VIN, CSX4390 is a fully
sorted gem that's listed in the 4th Edition of the World Registry
of Cobras and GT40s. The car was professionally assembled by Las
Vegas's Finishline Motorsports and sold to its first owner, a
California gentleman, for a cool $250K. A large chunk of that
6-figure value was this Shelby's all-aluminum body, which, during
the build, was dressed in silky silver 2-stage that looks
particularly striking behind Gloss Black racing stripes. Those
stripes reflect necessities like locking latches, satin quick
lifts, stainless-trimmed lighting and a polished roll bar. And
those necessities are flanked by niceties like Cobra wind wings, a
polished fuel filler, tinted visors and tinted glass that's cleared
by polished wipers.
ENGINE
Without a doubt, this Cobra is as close to a 1965 S/C as you can
get. And nowhere is that more evident than under the hood, where
you'll find $50K worth of serialized Shelby big block that was
professionally assembled by the award-winning staff of Kroyer
Racing Engines. At the top of that 427 cubic inch, all-aluminum
mill, ITG air cleaners, wired to an IR intake, feed spry TWM fuel
injection that's built around 58mm injectors. That ported and
matched intake floods ported and polished heads, which hide
stainless valves, chromoly pushrods and hydraulic roller lifters
under silver breathers and finned Shelby valve covers. Beneath
those heads, a CNC-machined block cages a billet steel crank, which
spins Carrillo rods and JE forged pistons around a custom-grind
hydraulic roller cam. At the front of that cam, a quality MSD
distributor sequences spark between an MSD Blaster 2 coil and
loomed MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Beneath those wires,
ceramic-coated headers roll charred dinosaurs in to ceramic-coated
side-pipes. In front of those headers, Cloyes double-roller timing
components complement an aluminum Edelbrock water pump that's
finished with a billet pulley. Speaking of water, a big Fluidyne
radiator circulates coolant around requisite pusher fans, a large
SPAL puller fan and a monochromatic expansion tank. Speaking of
fluids, lubrication is handled by a wet-sump oiling system. And
you'll be happy to know that the clean V8 has been properly seated
in a clean aluminum bay.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
One of the best things about buying a professionally built,
Shelby-designed Cobra is the impressive hardware underneath. Fully
sorted and completely detailed, this sub-2,400-pound roadster's
4-inch tube frame and fully independent suspension are ready to hit
the toughest track you can find. The buff 427 twists torque to a
tough Tremec 5-speed. At the corners, slotted discs combine with
beefy Brembo calipers to provide confidence-inspiring stops. Modern
rack-and-pinion steering makes low speed parking almost as easy as
high-speed sweeps. Power meets the pavement via Shelby American
knock-offs, which spin 235/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTIIs in front of
295/50R15 Goodyear Eagle GTIIs. And everything, from the car's
beefy sway bar and Aviaid oil pan to its aluminum floors and
Aeromotive fuel filter, looks essentially brand new.
INTERIOR
Between the doors, it's all purpose all the time, as supple leather
and fresh carpet culminate in a simple yet attractive driving
environment. Front and center, deep bucket seats pin soft pleats
under 2-point Simpson safety harnesses. Looking forward, a
leather-wrapped dash frames sedate Shelby American telemetry under
a polished mirror. Below that dash, an angled shifter pivots next
to a polished hand brake. And in front of the driver, a classy wood
steering wheel spins polished spokes around a Cobra-branded
steering wheel emblem.
Fully sorted and ready to turn your dreams into reality, this
awesome Shelby embodies the unique combination of performance and
style every car builder dreams about. From its timeless aluminum
body to its comfortable leather cockpit, there simply aren't many
nicer Cobras out there. If you're looking for a striking show queen
that's an absolute blast to drive, come claim this impressive
CSX4000!
SUMMARY
Professionally assembled Shelby CSX4000 continuation Cobra
Listed in the 4th Edition of the World Registry of Cobras and
GT40s
Shelby-commissioned aluminum body / Painted racing stripes
Professionally assembled 427 cubic inch Shelby FE V8 / All-aluminum
construction
Leather interior
Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
Brembo 4-wheel disc brakes
Rack-and-pinion steering
Shelby 4-inch tube frame / Shelby independent suspension
15-inch Shelby Knock-Off Wheels
