This exciting Shelby Cobra is one of fifty cars produced by Shelby American to honor the golden anniversary of the iconic CSX 2000, the first Shelby Cobra ever built and one of the most valuable sports cars in the world today. The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition CSX 8000-series Cobra has exclusive use of CSX serial numbers 8950-8999. The late Mr. Shelby kept numbers 8950 and 8999 (both fiberglass-bodied cars), and later sold CSX 8950 for substantially more than the Shelby American offered price.

This particular car is number 47 of 50, being numbered CSX 8996 and is reported as one of only four 50th Anniversary aluminum-bodied cars, plus it is one of only two aluminum-bodied cars with an original new old stock (N.O.S.) 289-cid, 350-hp HiPo engine with two four-barrel carburetors with an original Shelby intake manifold mated to an original N.O.S. T-10 four-speed manual transmission and shifter. It is stated that this particular Shelby is one of the two 50th Anniversary cars built that are "as close to an original 289 Cobra as one can get."

Carroll Shelby announced the introduction of the CSX 8000 cars on January 22, 2011 and all cars were committed to and sold within 48 hours. The original (and current) owner of this beautiful machine had been in pursuit of a Cobra for some time, and this journey included a trip to the Shelby facility in Las Vegas to get specific details on a possible purchase. When this model was introduced, it proved to be the incentive needed as it was as authentic and original as any before it. With ever-escalating prices on the original period cars, this seemed to be the perfect alternative. After calling the Shelby factory and being directed to three of their dealers; the owner decided upon the one that was able to produce the car as originally as possible. This dealer had access to four original 289 engines and their transmission counterparts. They received a car with “all original N.O.S. parts so the car would truly be a Cobra.”

This 50th Anniversary Shelby Cobra is a genuine, and registered, Shelby American, Inc. Cobra that is registered and authenticated with the proper CSX numbers and a statement of manufacturer’s origin signed by Carroll Shelby himself. All 50 examples are listed in the Shelby Registry. All 50 cars were offered only in Black with Rosso red leather covered seating surfaces, dash covering and map pockets. The carpets are wool Mercedes Wine in material and color. The design is derived from the original 1962 styling, with only a few factory options and improvements over and above the original product. Among the improvements are a stronger steel tube frame, better alloys for the components, improved cooling, additional heatshield, superior brakes, plus rack-and-pinion steering.

The car’s tube frame supports a hardy mechanical platform that along with the 289-cid V-8 engine and five-speed manual transmission, also houses a Shelby aluminum housing differential, dual piston four-wheel disc brakes and Spicer split-spline half-shafts. The cockpit features Stewart Warner gauges, tinted windscreen visors, leather-covered dash and map pockets, unique 50th Anniversary floor mats, Shelby harnesses and wood steering wheel with a limited edition horn button. The front grille is instantly recognizable, and the car looks ready for action with front and rear bumpers, windwings, chrome 15-inch wire wheels and unique front, rear and side 50th Anniversary badging that is finished in a gold tone. All indications show this as a little-used vehicle and its condition corresponds to its “like-new” status.

Also accompanying this Cobra is a factory special edition 50th Anniversary car cover; offered only with this edition of car. It also has a framed Carroll Shelby signature with VIN CSX 8996 and plate 47 of 50 from Shelby American, Inc. Amazingly, the Cobra still retains the identification tape from Shelby displayed on the windshield, which has the CSX number. Also each of the chrome wire wheels still retains the red stickers that notify the final consumer that plating damage induced by inferior product or application methods is not warrantied.