One-of-50 Shelby Cobra CSX4000 for sale
Spent millions on an original Cobra but can't bring youself to drive the thing? Step this way...
Just the other week we were telling you all about the forthcoming AC Cobra GT Roadster - a two-seat sports car with a big 663hp V8 up front. Its maker reckons it's been in development for three years, despite the fact that it appears to look much the same as the original car. But who are we to complain? In a world where the Mustang name is grafted onto an electric SUV, it's a major relief to know that AC (which has been indulging in electric propulsion for some time now) still knows how we tick.
It should be a damn sight cheaper than an original Cobra, too, which goes double for any that passed through Carroll Shelby’s workshop. A quick search for Shelby Cobra auction values suggest you’ll need at least several million pounds burning a hole in your pocket to even consider owning one. And the lucky so-and-sos who can (not unsurprisingly) are likely to keep them under lock and key lest they turn a seven-figure investment into an eight-figure exit.
To counter that state of affairs, some dedicated collectors go to the extent of buying a recreation to partner the original car, allowing them to tally up miles on something very much like the 1960s classic, without tanking its value or, God forbid, pranging the bodywork. Of course there are replicas and then there are replicas. Which brings us to the Shelby Cobra CSX4000.
Plainly this isn't something which has been bolted onto the chassis of a Ford Sierra in someone’s shed. In fact, Shelby would say that the CSX4000 isn't a replica at all - this is a continuation model. Launched with a production run of 50 to mark the Cobra’s half-centenary, the CSX4000 is intended to look exactly like the genuine article, albeit with minor mechanical and manufacturing improvements to bring it into the 21st century. Braking technology, for instance, has come a long way over the past 50 years, with Shelby ditching the original set-up for racing brakes. It also featured a powder-coated frame, fully independent suspension and a 105-litre racing fuel tank to keep the 7.0-litre Ford V8 fed.
This being an anniversary car means it’s covered in commutative plaques and badges. There’s one on the nose, the steering wheel, centre console and on the engine. We’d rip off the ‘genuine Shelby Cobra 427 S/C’ sticker at the top of the windscreen, though, if only to reduce the chances that someone might think you're rolling around something that would comfortably buy a large house somewhere picturesque.
That ship might have sailed though, because the CSX4000 does look just like an original Shelby Cobra – scuffed Goodyear tyres included – even if it's available for a fraction of the price. How does £199,950 sound? That’s chump change for the wealthy collector looking to pair it up for the real thing, and not entirely out of reach for those who’ve done well in life but aren’t billionaires. The only downside, you could argue, is that this particular car comes with a fibreglass body, whereas aluminium bodywork – which was offered on continuation cars – would be a more accurate reflection of the original. But fibreglass is going to be far easier (and cheaper) to repair if pranged. All the more reason to drive it like it’s the 1960s, then.
Yes it’s a replica but an extremely good one
As an aside I went to buy a car off a guy on the south coast and he had a genuine Cobra in his garage but told me he raced his replica which was sat next to it
The rep was that good it was on the Cobra database iirc
I take it PH have given up pushing 4Star Classics for now and become admirers of Clive Sutton for the time being…?
It would be like putting a sticker on the Mona Lisa and saying 'it's the real deal'.
Take your £200k “Shelby cobra” to a car event and wince every time someone says: “fibreglass. Must be a kit car.”
It was actually a cold-air box that sealed up to the underside of the hood intake, so the carb didn't suck in any hot underbonnet air.
Take your £200k “Shelby cobra” to a car event and wince every time someone says: “fibreglass. Must be a kit car.”
Technology and skills have changed in the past 60 years, and now its the opposite.
Take your £200k “Shelby cobra” to a car event and wince every time someone says: “fibreglass. Must be a kit car.”
Technology and skills have changed in the past 60 years, and now its the opposite.
Take your £200k “Shelby cobra” to a car event and wince every time someone says: “fibreglass. Must be a kit car.”
Technology and skills have changed in the past 60 years, and now its the opposite.
Take your £200k “Shelby cobra” to a car event and wince every time someone says: “fibreglass. Must be a kit car.”
Technology and skills have changed in the past 60 years, and now its the opposite.
Shelby may have wanted to use it, but didn’t. There’s probably loads of other stuff he would have liked to add as well.
Still don’t see why it’s ironic though.
With the above car therefore, Shelby have licensed this from AC Cars to make a factory built car?
So we therefore have two different "Shelby Cobras", one is an AC Cobra that is breathed on by Carol Shelby and the other is a car built by then but licensed from AC?
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