Carroll Shelby and his Cobra need no introduction. In shoehorning an American V-8 into a lightweight British chassis, one of America’s greatest drivers created one of America’s greatest cars. Shelby would ultimately build fewer than 1,000 Cobras before ceasing production in 1967. Those original cars would spawn a cottage industry of Cobra replicas over the next five decades.

As the 50th anniversary of his first build approached, Shelby decided to produce a limited run of 50 new Cobras for 2012, all sporting a line of exclusive CSX prefix serial numbers—just like the originals. While these cars would be indistinguishable physically from the originals, they would have subtle upgrades for an improved driving experience. Among them were a 12-gauge steel tube chassis, Shelby aluminum rear differential with Dana 44 gears, and 12-inch diameter disc brakes at all four corners with dual-piston Baer calipers.

The cars would be sold as rolling chassis, with the fortunate buyers able to choose their own powerplant. Many would flock to the flared fenders and gnarly stance of the 427-cubic-inch Cobra, but discerning enthusiasts chose the nimbler 289-cubic-inch V-8, the truest expression of Shelby’s original vision.

One of these 289 V-8 50th Anniversary Edition Cobras is presented here. Equipped with all of the standard performance features, as well as a Shelby hand-laid fiberglass body, this example is powered by a 289-cubic-inch, aluminum, V-8 engine bored and stroked to 331 cubic inches. When tested on a dynamometer before delivery, the engine produced over 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Not bad for a car weighing just over one ton.

A true enthusiast’s Cobra, this car—the 22nd of just 50 built—is sure to impress, whether on display or cruising the boulevard. It is offered from the Gene Ponder Collection accompanied by documentation including purchase invoices, a Certificate of Authenticity, a Statement of Origin signed by John Luft, president of Shelby American at the time, and a commemorative watch included with the sale of each Anniversary Edition Cobra.