1965 Shelby USRRC FIA Cobra Roadster CSX7049

Legends don’t come any bigger than Carroll Shelby, whose Cobras took on the giants of the sports racing world to become FIA World Champions. Years after the last 427 Cobra was built in 1967, the car remained an American icon and was being replicated by builders looking to capitalize on the cachet of the original. When Shelby decided to resume production of the real 427 Cobra in the 1990s, it seemed only natural that he would choose to produce the iconic S/C version identified by its lower front oil cooling scoop, riveted hood scoop, side exhaust, single hoop roll bar and quick-release fuel filler cap. So successful was the Continuation 427 that Shelby reached back to the past once again, this time to build a Continuation of the fabled 289 FIA and USRRC Cobra. Powered by the same specification 289 CI Fairlane V-8 used in the original racers that spawned the Shelby legend, the CSX7000 289 Cobra is not a modernized version; to accurately replicate the cornering feeling felt by the racers of the day, the chassis is as close to the original as possible. Only small functional changes were made for safety or practicality purposes. In fact, the original AC drawings of the chassis, springs, shocks and body dimensions were used to form the necessary jigs. Wearing the FIA’s fender flares, cut-back doors and other distinguishing features and rendered in bare polished aluminum bodywork, this Continuation 289 Cobra is perhaps the most desirable of all, for it was originally purchased by Carroll Shelby himself for his personal collection, which consisted of at least one Cobra from each series, including the one that started it all, CSX2000. Shelby’s purchase of the car is documented in the accompanying Statement of Origin dated September 29, 2011 and signed by Shelby, who later transferred ownership of the car to his long-time friend and former Shelby American Sales manager Don McCain. CSX7049 is probably the newest Cobra to have been a part of Carroll Shelby’s personal collection, a fact that adds further prestige to the car and will forever be a part of its history. Sold for $320,000 and the Mecum Spring Classic in Indianapolis.