COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on people and business. Collector cars, sadly, are amongst the first to go when making critical financial decisions in economic downturns. For bargain hunters, rare cars that usually command ultra-high dollars, sometimes become comparatively reasonable.
The ClassicCars.com pick of the day is a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra, chassis number CSX2122 by a private seller in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. It’s the real deal – and what a sound! You can hear it in the video below.
According to the seller, CSX2122 was invoiced to Shelby American on April 30, 1963 and shipped to Los Angeles, California on May 2, 1963. The car is one of the first 200 Cobras ever produced by Shelby American and aligned very closely in the race lineage of the famed Sebring cars CSX2126, CSX2127 and CSX2128. At Sebring in 1963, CSX2127, in the hands of Ken Miles, Phil Hill and Lew Spencer, the close chassis-plate relative won the GT+4 class and finished 11th overall.
Considering CSX2122 was an original Venice, California build, it’s amazing to think of the hands that were laid on this car as it was built and prepared including the likes of Phil Remington, and Allen Grant as John Morton swept the floors — dreaming of one day piloting a Shelby race car.
The car was restored and sorted in 1978 by Cobra experts Bill Murray of Boulder, CO, and Jim Cowles of Shelby Parts and Restoration in Green Bay, WI. At that time, a hood scoop and side vents were added. Original magnesium FIA wheels were sourced from Daytona Coupe spares and added to the car.
In the mid 1990s the car was acquired by famed racer/collector/restorer, Bruce Canepa. While in Canepa’s possession, CSX2122 was mechanically sorted and concours detailed inside and out, including the undercarriage. The original magnesium wheels were inspected for structural integrity and preserved for safety and longevity.
“I have enjoyed the incredible reliability and drivability of CSX2122 for the last 7 years,” comments the seller. “It is one of the best driving and sounding Cobra’s I’ve had the pleasure of owning. I am now at a part of my life where I feel someone else should enjoy the ride and become the new custodian of such a wonderful piece of history.”
This rare piece of automotive and Shelby history is priced to sell for $685,000. Would the next steward please stand up?
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the day.
Over half a million,,, will you take a check
How do I make an offer for the Cobra?
Click on the Pick of the Day red link at the end of the article, which will take you to the seller’s ad, with more information including price and location, and how to contact the seller of this vehicle.
Will you take payments on the beauty ? I can put $1000. down and maybe $300. a month ?
“….. just 70,000 more payments, and this baby is ALL MINE!”
Great pick. Sweet piece of real automotive history. Way out of my league, but great to see in circulation, as a lot of history is hoarded and never displayed save to a fortunate few. Not particularly keen on the add-on vents & hoodscoop- the simplicity of the original form always appealed to me, but that’s just me.
If I wanted a kit Cobra, I’d do a Factory Five 289 with a flat crank 5.2L “Voodoo” & 6spd from a late model Shelby GT350- much less $ and every day driveability. The featured car? Needs a climate controlled vault, and is probably sad that no-one will ever use him properly again. Really, who’s gonna redline powershift slam this sideways into a lumpy corner with a buncha ‘Vettes, Jags, Ferraris, and Allards all within touching distance? Is there anything as poignant as a racecar turned into an investment, never to fulfill it’s mission ever again?
Wife said no
Bummer… Perhaps it’s time to trade in for a newer model… ; )
I didn’t even ask . She said just keep the 55 EFFY going
wife said to buy a crummy kit car instead.
also waiting for my 1200 bucks from TRUMP.
NICE CHOICE TOMMY !!
in 10 years we’ll all say remember when they were 685,000 now their 1.2 million – and some are , P