1965 Shelby Cobra CSX 4000

Description

If you're like most gearheads, you know all about the days when Carroll Shelby modified dainty roadsters in to monstrous sports cars that made a habit of carving up tracks. That said, as time progresses, technology progresses. And a product that once existed as an innovative hot rod from a legendary racer has now birthed a hyper-competitive, multi-million-dollar replica market. Today, it takes a serious plan and highly skilled craftsmanship to even think about sourcing or restoring a world-class Cobra. And when it comes to world-class, it doesn't get much better than this killer Shelby CSX4000. Commissioned by Shelby American of Las Vegas, Nevada, this all-aluminum beast combines storied heritage with killer looks, excellent build quality and unbeatable provenance. And what's better: with names like Kroyer, Tremec and Brembo on its specs sheet, this professionally-assembled sports car will outperform, and outlast, just about any classic on the road!

HISTORY/CONDITION

In 1965, amid stiff competition and whimsical homologation rules, Shelby attempted a total domination of the FIA GT series by installing a massive Ford 427 in a completely re-engineered AC chassis. While this creation was a bit crude at the time, it possessed all the organically frightening charm of a bare-knuckle collector car. And, even though initial public sales were a bit of a letdown, authentic 427 S/C's would eventually bring millions at auction. Today, over 50 years later, big block Cobras are some of the most valuable cars ever produced. And in the mid-1980s, Las Vegas's Shelby American decided to honor the icon by authorizing a lightly updated generation dubbed CSX4000.

Equipped with an official Shelby American VIN, CSX4390 is a fully sorted gem that's listed in the 4th Edition of the World Registry of Cobras and GT40s. The car was professionally assembled by Las Vegas's Finishline Motorsports and sold to its first owner, a California gentleman, for a cool $250K. A large chunk of that 6-figure value was this Shelby's all-aluminum body, which, during the build, was dressed in silky silver 2-stage that looks particularly striking behind Gloss Black racing stripes. Those stripes reflect necessities like locking latches, satin quick lifts, stainless-trimmed lighting and a polished roll bar. And those necessities are flanked by niceties like Cobra wind wings, a polished fuel filler, tinted visors and tinted glass that's cleared by polished wipers.

ENGINE

Without a doubt, this Cobra is as close to a 1965 S/C as you can get. And nowhere is that more evident than under the hood, where you'll find $50K worth of serialized Shelby big block that was professionally assembled by the award-winning staff of Kroyer Racing Engines. At the top of that 427 cubic inch, all-aluminum mill, ITG air cleaners, wired to an IR intake, feed spry TWM fuel injection that's built around 58mm injectors. That ported and matched intake floods ported and polished heads, which hide stainless valves, chromoly pushrods and hydraulic roller lifters under silver breathers and finned Shelby valve covers. Beneath those heads, a CNC-machined block cages a billet steel crank, which spins Carrillo rods and JE forged pistons around a custom-grind hydraulic roller cam. At the front of that cam, a quality MSD distributor sequences spark between an MSD Blaster 2 coil and loomed MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Beneath those wires, ceramic-coated headers roll charred dinosaurs in to ceramic-coated side-pipes. In front of those headers, Cloyes double-roller timing components complement an aluminum Edelbrock water pump that's finished with a billet pulley. Speaking of water, a big Fluidyne radiator circulates coolant around requisite pusher fans, a large SPAL puller fan and a monochromatic expansion tank. Speaking of fluids, lubrication is handled by a wet-sump oiling system. And you'll be happy to know that the clean V8 has been properly seated in a clean aluminum bay.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

One of the best things about buying a professionally built, Shelby-designed Cobra is the impressive hardware underneath. Fully sorted and completely detailed, this sub-2,400-pound roadster's 4-inch tube frame and fully independent suspension are ready to hit the toughest track you can find. The buff 427 twists torque to a tough Tremec 5-speed. At the corners, slotted discs combine with beefy Brembo calipers to provide confidence-inspiring stops. Modern rack-and-pinion steering makes low speed parking almost as easy as high-speed sweeps. Power meets the pavement via Shelby American knock-offs, which spin 235/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GTIIs in front of 295/50R15 Goodyear Eagle GTIIs. And everything, from the car's beefy sway bar and Aviaid oil pan to its aluminum floors and Aeromotive fuel filter, looks essentially brand new.

INTERIOR

Between the doors, it's all purpose all the time, as supple leather and fresh carpet culminate in a simple yet attractive driving environment. Front and center, deep bucket seats pin soft pleats under 2-point Simpson safety harnesses. Looking forward, a leather-wrapped dash frames sedate Shelby American telemetry under a polished mirror. Below that dash, an angled shifter pivots next to a polished hand brake. And in front of the driver, a classy wood steering wheel spins polished spokes around a Cobra-branded steering wheel emblem.

Fully sorted and ready to turn your dreams into reality, this awesome Shelby embodies the unique combination of performance and style every car builder dreams about. From its timeless aluminum body to its comfortable leather cockpit, there simply aren't many nicer Cobras out there. If you're looking for a striking show queen that's an absolute blast to drive, come claim this impressive CSX4000!

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SUMMARY

• Professionally assembled Shelby CSX4000 continuation Cobra
• Listed in the 4th Edition of the World Registry of Cobras and GT40s
• Shelby-commissioned aluminum body / Painted racing stripes
• Professionally assembled 427 cubic inch Shelby FE V8 / All-aluminum construction
• Leather interior
• Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
• Brembo 4-wheel disc brakes
• Rack-and-pinion steering
• Shelby 4-inch tube frame / Shelby independent suspension
• 15-inch Shelby Knock-Off Wheels