Automotive legends do not come any bigger than Carroll Shelby, whose Cobras took on the giants of the sports racing world to become FIA World Champions. The 289 FIA Shelby Cobras were among the most important cars in American racing history. The alloy roadsters built during that period were piloted by such racing legends as Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, and Bob Bondurant. These most revered drivers put the 289 Cobra into the winner’s circle. The combination of a robust, powerful American engine with a lightweight chassis proved to be sheer brilliance.

Years after the last 289 and 427 Cobras were built, the successful racing car remained an American icon and was quickly 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, which was 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 soon reached back to the past once again, this time to build a continuation of the fabled 289 FIA and USRRC Cobra.

The CSX 7000 series Cobra, which was powered by the same specification 289 V-8 used in the original racers that spawned the Shelby legend, was not a re-designed, modernized version. In an effort to accurately replicate the cornering feeling felt by the racers of the day, the chassis was built 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.

This Continuation 289 Cobra, which wears the FIA fender flairs, cut-back doors, and exposed bare-polished aluminum bodywork, is perhaps the most desirable of all, as it is outfitted with a larger 427-cubic inch V-8 that can pump out 525 horsepower. The staff at Shelby’s Las Vegas facility built this motor from a Shelby 351 Windsor crate engine and bored it out and modified with it AFR heads, turning it into 427.

In addition to its uprated engine, CSX number 7049 was originally acquired 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, the CSX 2000. Shelby’s ownership of this Roadster is documented in the accompanying Shelby American Inc.’s Statement of Origin, which is dated September 29, 2011, and signed by Carroll. CSX 7049 may have been the newest and last Cobra to have been added to Carroll Shelby’s personal collection, which is a fact that adds further prestige to the car and will forever be a part of its history.

Chassis CSX 7049 now shows only 56 miles on its odometer. It has been preserved in like-new condition, and some of the specific features of this 7000 series Roadster includes a Holley four-barrel carburetor, a five-speed gearbox, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, a 160-mph speedometer, a braced-chrome paperclip roll bar, a quick-fill fuel cap, a white-coated side exhaust, and true 15-inch knock-off wheels. The black leather upholstery still appears as new, and little, if any, wear or imperfections are to be found on this important piece of American history.