If you’re going to have a Shelby Cobra you might as well go right to the top… CSX 2000, the very first Shelby Cobra and Carroll Shelby’s own car, is to be sold at auction in August. The car is billed by RM Sotheby’s as the most important American sports car ever to be offered for sale.
JUN 30th 2016
Video: Very First Shelby Cobra Set For RM Auction
It is the first time chassis number CSX 2000 – constructed by Shelby in 1962 and owned by him until his death in 2012 – has been put up for sale. “It is a truly unprecedented event that will command the attention of global collector community,” says RM Sotheby’s, which is selling the car on behalf of the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust at its Monterey, California, sale on 19-20 August.
The original Shelby Cobra was born in a small garage in Santa Fe Springs after Shelby and a handful of hot-rodders shoehorned Ford’s lightweight and high-revving 260-cubic inch V8 into a modified AC Ace chassis. The result – a fierce sports car armed with incredible performance – became the cornerstone on which the great Carroll Shelby set the automotive world on fire.
It remained the first and only Shelby Cobra for seven months as Shelby American Inc struggled to establish itself. CSX 2000 was used as development hack, show car and press demonstrator – Road & Track recorded 0–60mph in just 4.2 seconds, a standing quarter-mile run in 13.8 seconds and a top speed of 153mph.
&width=645)
1 / 32
&width=645)
2 / 32
&width=645)
3 / 32
&width=645)
4 / 32
&width=645)
5 / 32
&width=645)
6 / 32
&width=645)
7 / 32
&width=645)
8 / 32
&width=645)
9 / 32
&width=645)
10 / 32
&width=645)
11 / 32
&width=645)
12 / 32
&width=645)
13 / 32
&width=645)
14 / 32
&width=645)
15 / 32
&width=645)
16 / 32
&width=645)
17 / 32
&width=645)
18 / 32
&width=645)
19 / 32
&width=645)
20 / 32
&width=645)
21 / 32
&width=645)
22 / 32
&width=645)
23 / 32
&width=645)
24 / 32
&width=645)
25 / 32
&width=645)
26 / 32
&width=645)
27 / 32
&width=645)
28 / 32
&width=645)
29 / 32
&width=645)
30 / 32
&width=645)
31 / 32
&width=645)
32 / 32
In the early days, to convince people the fledgling sports car company was building lots of cars, the CSX 2000 was repainted a different colour for each public appearance to give the impression there was more than just one of them…
“When it comes to American sports cars, CSX 2000 is without peers,” says Shelby Myers, RM Sotheby’s car specialist. “Had Carroll Shelby never decided to squeeze that high performance V8 into its engine bay sports cars as we know them would be very different. We are beyond thrilled to be able to offer it.”
The auction house’s flagship Monterey sale will showcase 50 years of Shelby heritage with other cars offered for sale to include the 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra, CSX 3178, that Shelby had fitted with automatic transmission for his personal use.
Images courtesy of RM Sothebys
&width=75)
&width=75)
&width=75)
&width=75&fastscale=false)
Join our motorsport community
Get closer to motorsport at Goodwood! Join the GRRC Fellowship to be first in the queue for event tickets, to attend the GRRC-only Members' Meeting and to enjoy year-round, exclusive benefits.
&width=75)
&width=75)
&width=75)