Few sagas in automotive history are larger than that of Carroll Shelby and his Cobra. By the time Shelby approached AC Cars in England in 1961, with the intention of installing a Ford V-8 engine into the beautiful AC Ace Roadster, the concept of stuffing a powerful large-bore engine into a lightweight platform was nothing new. Between Shelby’s marketing savvy, engineering vision and fortuitous timing, this marque became the most successful purveyor of the idea, and the resulting Shelby Cobra became the ultimate execution of this concept. Although Shelby’s original purpose for challenging Ferrari’s racing supremacy wasn’t truly realized until the emergence of the aerodynamic Daytona Coupe and his subsequent participation in the Ford GT40 program, the original Cobra, nonetheless, quickly became a celebrated workhorse of the SCCA racing circuit, as well as European FIA championships, and the singularly most handsome dual-purpose roadster that remains one of the archetypal legends of American racing and sports car production.

The Cobra on offer is the 23rd production example that was built. It was billed to Shelby American on October 1, 1962 and sold to Downtown Ford in Los Angeles on November 28, 1962. Its early ownership data is unknown, but from 1971 until 2011, it was under the stewardship of one owner, Ruben Garnica. The Cobra was restored in the early 1980s. At some point early in its life, the motor in CSX2023 was upgraded to a 289-cid V-8. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual transmission.

According to an Auctions America Specialist, this Cobra is in fantastic running and driving order. The motor is well-tuned, providing ample power and resonating V-8 tones. CSX2023 is equipped with rare center-spindle American Racing Magnesium knock-off wheels, a low chrome rollbar, and under-car side exhaust that exits just forward of the rear wheels. Another original aspect of CSX2023 is that the car has not had a hood scoop or side vents added over time. It also retains its original instrumentation and as further evidence of its early production, is still fitted with a mechanical tach-drive and all associated components off the back of its Lucas generator.

With outstanding reliability and drive-ability, this is a fantastic machine for many types and venues of vintage racing, road rallys and favorite local roads. The iconic Shelby Cobra makes a powerful statement on the road, track, or occupying your preferred garage space.