Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 6 -
7 April 2018.
Estimates:
$160,000 - $200,000
427 cu. in. V-8 engine featuring aluminum block and headsTremec
five-speed manual transmissionCompleted on 5/2/00 by Midwest
Motorsports of Holland, MichiganOne of only 165 CSX4000 aluminum
bodied continuation CobrasTitled as a Shelby Cobra and listed in
the SAAC RegistryAccompanied by Midwest Motorsports build sheet,
copy of statement of origin, service records, and registration
documentation
In the early 1960s, legendary race car driver Carroll Shelby had a
wild idea, marry a small British roadster with a powerful American
V-8. Shelby reached out to British car marque AC to supply a
version of its curvy AC Ace roadster with an engine bay modified to
accept a ferocious V-8 engine. The request was taken seriously by
AC Cars, as audacious as it sounded at the time. Ford, eager to
take on the Chevrolet Corvette in motorsports, readily supplied its
new small-block V-8s. Subsequently, the Shelby Cobra was born in
1962.
Earlier cars were a handful at the limit, which spurred Ford to
work with Shelby and AC for a highly modified, structurally
enhanced version using a 425-hp V-8 displacing 427 cu. in.�twice
the engine of the original Ford 260. Production ended in 1967, but
Shelby eventually relented and partnered with a number of firms to
build continuation cars that adhered to the original Cobra
principles but allowed for some modern updates..
The CSX 4000 Cobra Continuation offered here was completed by
Midwest Motorsports in Michigan in 2000. The car is accompanied by
its original build sheet, and is one of just 164 of the first
continuation series CSX 4000 cars with a hand-formed alloy body. It
was highly optioned when new with a Tremec 5-speed manual,
Halibrand-style wheels wrapped in correct Goodyear rubber, a full
leather interior, Wilwood four-piston brakes, and a 500-horsepower
aluminum 427 V-8. The Continuation, recognized by Shelby as CSX
4170, was ordered in a striking black over black with silver Le
Mans stripes.
It shows fewer than 16,000 miles and was treated to nearly $2,000
in servicing less than 100 miles ago. The Cobra Continuation shows
limited signs of use. As an official Continuation example, this
Shelby Cobra is listed in the SAAC registry. The car is titled as a
1965 Shelby Cobra.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/FL18.
