According to the fourth edition of the World Registry of Cobras and GT40s, this 1965 Shelby Cobra, CSX 2442, was originally billed to Shelby American on 14 April 1964, and it was shipped to Los Angeles on 26 May aboard the SS Diemerdyk. Cobra CSX 2442 was invoiced on 19 August 1964 to Rossetter Ford, Inc., in Peoria, Illinois. The registry describes the car as “1 Cobra-Ford, chassis #CSX 2442, Red/black” at a price of $5,195 with Class A accessories, including a luggage rack, wire wheels (the Registry states “chrome,” but it is shared that this car has actually had painted wire wheels from day one), whitewall tires, a hardtop, side curtains, and freight for a total of $6,070.05. The car was delivered to Illinois via a Shelby transporter.

CSX 2442 was sold to its first owner, Lyle D. Groenwold of Peoria, Illinois, on 30 October 1965. Under his ownership, the car was involved in a minor accident, which damaged the left front fender. Shortly after the accident, the car was repossessed. In August of 1966, the car’s second owner acquired the car from the bank. A paint and body expert, he repainted the car in a shade of 1961 Chevrolet metallic gold. Along with wheel flares, the Cobra had a rollbar and fuel cell, and it was driven in this configuration for approximately seven years. In 1973, after relocating to Arizona, the owner decided to place the car in storage with roughly 21,000 miles on the odometer. The car remained in storage until the 1990s when it was brought out for restoration.

The Cobra is powered by its original 289/271 V-8 engine fitted with an original Ford cast-iron intake manifold with Autolite carburetor. The original AC Cars chassis tag displays the chassis number, CSX 2442, and the engine number, 5876. The engine is paired to a T10 four-speed manual transmission with a date-coded (3-30-64) aluminum case. The brakes are four-wheel discs fitted with painted knock-off wire wheels with AC two-eared spinners. Additionally, the trunk latch, the driver’s side hood latch, and both doors are stamped “2442,” per original.

Desirably, the car retains many original features. Beginning with the grease gun mounted in the engine bay, it also features original leather seats, dashboard leather, Stewart-Warner instruments (including clock), AC wood-rimmed steering wheel, Impact competition seatbelts, “wind wings” (both with Cobra markings), shaded Cobra-labeled sun visors, side curtains, soft top with top irons, factory hardtop, tonneau cover, luggage rack, factory-style chrome exhaust tips, cockpit mirror, cockpit grab bar, egg-crate grille, front and rear bumpers with guards, AC Chassis Instruction book, jack, and handle. The restoration, commissioned by the second owner nearly 30 years ago, presents beautifully today, and the car remains an excellent example of the Cobra marque.

Ready for reliable touring, the Cobra rides on new Michelin XWX tires and is said to be “one of the best driving Cobras amongst the many I’ve had the pleasure of driving,” by an RM Sotheby’s specialist and Shelby expert. With its known early history, abundance of original parts, and rare accessories, this truly is a special car and one that is sure to be enjoyed by future ownership.