For Sale: 1965 Shelby Cobra in Saint Louis, Missouri

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then perhaps no other car has been 'flattered' more than the Shelby Cobra. From the earliest 260-powered prototypes to the last of the wide-body 427 beasts, the Shelby Cobra was an instant collectible, and its star power has hardly faded, even after more than 60 years. Nearly as soon as production ended, attempts to sustain or revive the Cobra sprang up- and soon an entire replica industry was born - to varying degrees of success. From dodgy build-it-yourself kits to exacting replicas, countless Cobra tributes have been built, and Shelby soon took notice.
In the late 1980s, after years of fighting against the tide, Shelby American Automobiles finally joined the fray with a new, officially sanctioned continuation Cobra, essentially picking up where the original left off, complete with a Shelby American MSO (signed by Carroll Shelby, naturally), and "CSX" chassis number. Beginning with the CSX4000 series, Shelby sold these new Cobras to authorized dealers as finished rollers, less engine and gearbox, allowing customers to spec them exactly as they wanted, and to skirt those pesky federal safety regulations. Bodies were made to exacting original specifications in either fiberglass or aluminum, with refinements to the chassis for strength, improved handling, and braking. The program proved wildly successful for Shelby, and other Cobra models joined the fray. Like the original, Shelby's continuation Cobras have become collectible in their own right.
Honoring the 1964/65 289 'FIA Cobra,' the CSX7000 continuation series celebrates one of Shelby's greatest achievements: Beating Ferrari to the 1965 FIA GT Manufacturer's Championship. Powered by the light and powerful 289, the original FIA Cobras had a widened track, fat wheel arches, and a lowered windscreen. Many fans agree that the lean and purposeful 289 FIA is the one of the best-looking of all the Cobra variants.
CSX7020 is an early 7000-series FIA continuation model, featuring a highly desirable alloy body on full display in beautifully polished splendor. Shelby contracted with Kirkham to supply the coachwork to exacting specs, the UK firm being one of the most respected names in the Cobra recreation business, and this car's bare finish shows the superb quality of that work. A copy of the MSO on file shows this chassis was completed by Shelby in July of 2000, and subsequent documents reveal it was acquired by the most recent owner in 2008.
Of course, a Cobra is all about what's under the hood, and CSX7020 doesn't disappoint, thanks to a 347 cubic-inch Ford V8 fed by a quartet of downdraft Weber IDA carburetors. Renowned for an excellent balance of power and low-end torque, the 347 utilizes a 302 block, slightly over-bored and fitted with a stroker crank. Records show this engine was built in 2010, and dyno tested to a rather useful 375 bhp and 425lb-ft of torque. Beyond the numbers, there are few motoring experiences more evocative than the sound of a wide-open smallblock Ford inhaling through Weber carbs!
Displaying just 571 miles on the S-W odometer, CSX7020 remains exceptionally fresh, having been well maintained by the owner for the past 17 years. In preparation for sale, it has been meticulously polished, and new tires fitted to the Halibrand-style alloy wheels.
A mere five FIA-specification Cobra team cars were originally built by Shelby, and they are without question among the most valuable and desirable sports cars on the planet. This stunning example of the CSX7000 series brings power to the people, with all the visceral thrills and iconic beauty of the original, at a rather more attainable price point.

Offers welcome and trades considered.