Carroll Shelby’s personal 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Supersnake (Lot #1301), which was designed and built solely for the racing legend, will be sold at No Reserve during the 36th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event from Jan. 13-21, 2007, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hailed as “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Eventsâ„¢,” the auction will feature more than 1,100 of the world’s finest collector automobiles, attract over 225,000 visitors and be featured on SPEED with 40 hours of live coverage.
“When I built this dual supercharged 427 Cobra in 1966, I wanted it to be the fastest, meanest car on the road,” said Shelby. “Forty years later, it will still kick the tail of just about anything in the world. It’s the fastest street legal Cobra I’ve ever owned.”
Shelby plucked CSX3015 from a line of 19 production Competition Cobras and molded it into one of the most impressive automobiles ever built. It has a monstrous 427cid, 800hp twin Paxton supercharged V8 with a super three-speed automatic transmission. In addition to use as his personal automobile, Shelby drove the Cobra in a running of the “Turismos Visitadores” in Nevada. In February 1968, Road & Track referred to CSX3015 as “The Cobra to End All Cobras.”
“This is conceivably one of the most significant and valuable automobiles to ever cross an auction block,” said Craig Jackson, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “Carroll Shelby not only poured his automotive wisdom and racing pride into this vehicle, he also personally gripped the wheel of this American legend.”
“This incredible Cobra personifies Carroll Shelby, and the maverick he is,” adds Steve Davis, senior executive vice president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “CSX3015 embodies the spirit that defined a generation and is as impactful today as it was some forty years ago.” Shelby built a similar Twin Paxton-enhanced 427 Cobra (CSX3303) for close friend and famed comedian Bill Cosby. CSX3303 was later wrecked, leaving CSX3015 as the only one of its kind in the world.
“CSX3015 speaks volumes about the genius in Carroll Shelby,” said Harley E. Cluxton III, owner of CSX3015. “His Cobra is the benchmark that defines the American Muscle car. His baby does it all, and without the help of ASR, ESP, ABS, engine management ECU’s, carbon fiber, titanium or the United Nations. How cool is that.”
Barrett-Jackson continually reaffirms its leadership position in the collector car market by elevating consignment standards, challenging annual records and serving as the barometer for market trends. Last year, more than 300,000 attendees and millions of television viewers from around the world witnessed over 1,600 cars being auctioned off for approximately $135 million at the two 2006 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Events held in Scottsdale and Palm Beach, Fla.
Pablo Picasso and andy warhole were jokes and yet the wine and cheese crowed has always stepped up to the plate to pay whatever the asking price has been for their work. The same might be said for auto collectors, at the end of the day something is worth only what someone else is willing to pay for it.
“Beauty and folly are generally companions”
By 9906763. January 24th, 2008 at 6:13 pmBaltasar Gracian, 1647
I stand corrected by salterego, the cobra probably was a C6 auto trans, when Cosby complained about it “bucking” at low speeds i assumed it was a 4 spd, after over 40 yrs. the real thing I remembered was the total destruction of a beautiful Cobra,
By gene Curry. January 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pmI can add some to the “gene Curry” story.
First off, to clarify, the “4 speed trans” mentioned was an automatic transmission.
The wrecked car (CSX3303) was bought by Santa Rita Auto Wreckers in late ’60’s or early ’70’s and resold to a friend of mine…If memory serves, the entire intake system was wiped out…He used parts, including the engine, with an added 6/71 Supercharger, the transmission, and rear-end, to build a hot-rod…The hot-rod won the “Worlds Most Beautiful Roadster” trophy at the Oakland Roadster Show in 1976, and was later sold for $30,000.
I can remember the remnants of the Cobra chassis and body sitting in the shop in Hayward where I worked, from 1982 until the late ’80’s…When, and where, the chassis ended up, and how much it was sold for, is unknown to me. (according to the link posted by “Chris Walker,” it ended up in England. The link also verifies the automatic transmission)
Someday, this car might be restored close to 100% “original” if someone were to chase down all the surviving parts, but the sad fact is, there was way too much damage to be made perfectly whole again…And, I would estimate, the best someone could hope for is 95%.
Would it be worth it, to chase down the parts?…For $5 Million, it would….The story of the provenance alone, with all the twists and turns, would make an interesting story.
By franksalterego. October 29th, 2007 at 2:54 amDon’t know who John is but he seems pretty ignorant to me.
At 40 years old, I was too young to know about Shelby as a youth. However, ever since adulthood, I’ve longed for a Shelby. I finally purchased one recently. And, I was able to get the same license plate number that was on Carroll’s Cobra.
By Adam. May 1st, 2007 at 2:09 pmHey you all little people. Quit worrin’ about what cars my rich buddies are buying and pay your taxes!
By George W. Bush. April 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pmNO the Man that bought Bill Cosby’s Car DID NOT die in the accident at clear lake, see my article above. as per lineslinger,
By gene Curry. January 26th, 2007 at 11:11 amI know the WHOLE story about the 2nd Car built for Bill Cosby, I was the Service Manager at S&C Ford Where the Cobra was delivered to Bill Cosby who was performing at the Purple Onion in S. F. at the time, Cosby was not happy with the car because he complained to me that it kept BUCKING at slow speeds, which at that time had a 4 spd. trans. and would not idle smoothly at slow speed’s, he ended up selling the car and the next owner who was the OWNER of the maintenance company that kept S&C ford offices clean bought the car, The next time i seen the car it was under a tarp at our Used Car Repair Shop on Market St. (across from the S.F Mint) we (3 friends and myself( went up from S&C ford which was and still is on the corner of Dolores and Market St.s in S.F., I pulled back the tarp and there wasn’t one good piece including the engine left on that thing.. The Owner (Maintenance Man) had taken it to Clear Lake and the Story we got was he left a bar along side of Clear Lake throwing Rocks and debris everywhere and tried to straighten out a curve, consequently, the car went into a slide, went upside down with the owner in it across ALL the man dumped rocks that line the Lake at that point, the only thing that saved the owner was the Roll Bar and even then, the next time I seen the Man, he had several scars on the front and sides of his head and walked and talked very slowly, He was NOT killed…
By gene Curry. January 26th, 2007 at 9:57 amI Heard stories after that whereas the frame and number were restored but don’t know…if that number was ever used again, this was in 1967..I still remember the names of some of the people who can verify this statement, One of them was the Cobra Sales Manager, Al Riviera who at that time worked for S&C and of course a service writer, a friend of mine, and myself, and also the Used Car Manager at that time…….
$5.5 Million was the sale price.
I found an interesting article by a man who claims to have restored this car in 1981.
http://www.wurthitdesigns.com/twinpaxton.htm
By Chris Walker. January 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 pmIt is a one of kind. If you have the dollars and are able to acquire one of the finest machines ever built, good on ya. It will be shame to be locked away for no one to see and enjoy. If he is not going to drive it, then at the least put it on public display for all to enjoy.
By Anto. January 22nd, 2007 at 3:46 pmIt just sold for $5 Million.
By Steve. January 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pmLet me start out by saying that “JOHN” is not a car guy and will never understand the importance of men like Carrol Shelby.
1. Mr. Shelby is probally the greatest automotive legend to ever sit behind the wheel of a car.
2. Mr Shelby is one of the most charitable men out there today. He has always payed it back and payed it forward as well. He is not your typical “RICH GUY”.
3. His organ transplant program is going to be his greatest legacy. A lot of his generosity is under the radar. We will most likely never completly know how much good he does, as he is not a bragging man or a showboat. He simply does what needs doing and gets it done. He uses his status in the automotive world to help others, this auction of his personal Cobra is just one example.
{Please read the Gary G. comment from December 5th, 2006 for another example of Carrol Shelby’s charitable efforts.}
4. Carrol Shelby is, and always has been a True American with the values we all wish were still around today, and no pinhead like “JOHN” can change that.
When I went on line today to check out what Barrett-Jackson was running through this year I found out about the Cobra being sold. I wanted more info about this car, I never intended to get so wordy.
I then ran across this site and the comment from “JOHN” on November 17th, 2006.
“JOHN” needs to be ashamed of his words, he is part of the poison that is KILLING THIS COUNTRY.
The part that puzzles me the most is, Why?
By L.T.. January 18th, 2007 at 10:58 amIs this “JOHN” even on a Ford Muscle website when he thinks that Carrol Shelby and the mighty Cobra is a joke.
He must have thought this was the site to find out what Paris Hilton had for lunch that day.
In 1966, I was thirteen years old and quite a car nut. I could name almost any car, make, model, and year on the road. I thought the Shelby Cobra was really cool. Back then, they cost about $6,000! The only Ford dealer in town who sold them was Ed Martin Ford on the east side. They were in competition with the Jaguar XKE, the Corvette, the Shelby Mustang, and others for about the same price. Too bad that I did not have the money back then to buy one and store it somewhere till I got out of school and could drive it. The Cobra’s predecessor, the 289, was, in the opinion of some auto columnists, was more fun and easier to handle. You could get four weber carburetors with it and you had quite a small rocket sled. They were definitely quite the “Corvette Killer” back then. When the 427 came along, that car was simply raw horsepower and neck snapping speed. Not too many cars even today can match its speed and handling.
When I see the prices of some of the 60’s and 70’s muscles and what they are going for today, again, I wish I had the money to buy one of each and store them somewhere. I mint condition hemi convertible Cuda is going for six figures these days. They originally sold for about $4,500 with everything on them. What a bargain!
Good luck to the auction people!
By Ron. January 14th, 2007 at 7:05 amOnce this car is sold it will never be driven again, it will go into a museum like Peterson’s in LA, so all the world will be able to see car,it’s one of a kind,built by one kind,that we may not see again in a long time,other people have try to be build like Carroll Shelby but none has ever been able to do it,how many other cars has lasted as long as the Cobra or the GT40,hell people still want them today,look at all the kit car manufactors out there that put out cars like to Cobra,if you can name one car that lasted as long as the Cobra,that was built by a great man.I like you to name him,only one other man comes to mind, that is Ferrari,so the person or museum that get this will have something very specal
just my 2cent
By lredford24. January 2nd, 2007 at 8:22 amTo call Carroll Shelby a joke is a very large injustice to an automotive icon and a wonderful benefactor for the Shelby Childrens Foundation set up by him to assist children in need of organ transplants. I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Shelby as a volunteer at a fund raising for the children and can say first hand he does an awful lot for any man especially when most his age are sitting in easychairs.
By gary g. December 5th, 2006 at 2:19 pmIf you think he is a joke read more about his life. Few people have ever accomplished so much with so little. He has overcome tremendous odds in his professional life as well as his personal life.
hey, barrett jackson is definitely not a joke. i would have loved to be the guy who created the business, it was totally ingenious. he is not degrading the image of the musclecar in anyway, it is more a compliment and an opportunity as stated before. the amount of work put into a good restoration has finally been realized by the viewers and buyers of the world renowned auction.
By Kyle. November 28th, 2006 at 8:37 pmjohn, if you are mad that you won’t ever have the money to touch one of these new paxton cobras, build one yourself. that’s the beauty of it, this is merely giving the more privelaged(rich) a chance to feel what it is like to have all the power that the avid motorheads like us feel when we put the throttle down. you could get a factory five kit car and build your own motor for a fraction of the cost. sure, some of them don’t appreciate the integrity of what the car means, but more of the people who actually pay for this car do than you think.
the joke is really on them cause we can build a car like that for 40,000 and they paid in excess of 200,000. maybe even less depending on the resources you have at hand. that’s my two cents.
I would hazard a guess that most if not all of the proceeds of the sale of this car will go to Shelby’s heart association which helps a lot of people. That is not a joke.
As Dean says about BJ, if there is a venue that can allow me (or anyone) to rod or restore a car and actually have a chance a turning a profit on my labors, that is not a joke.
If Shelby is a joke then what does that make Yenko, Saleen, Foose and Coddington, to name a few? Well, Ok, maybe not Coddington. But these guys (even Boyd) are innovators and however they arrived at their station in life they do deserve more respect than what John has offered.
By Murff. November 22nd, 2006 at 8:49 pmif there is nobody to buy something its not worth anything no matter how rare, or how much it should be worth. If somebody is willing to pay a price for a car, no matter how much it is, is how much that car is worth, like john said, its not rocket science
By Andy. November 21st, 2006 at 6:48 pmWhy is it that some people simply cannot see that a car is worth what someone will pay for it?
WHATEVER SOMEONE PAYS FOR A CAR IS WHAT IT’S WORTH.
Sheesh–this is not rocket science, people.
By John. November 21st, 2006 at 1:50 pmThe guy who bought Bill Cosby’s car, sadly, DID die in it.
By lineslinger. November 21st, 2006 at 7:15 amHow the hell can you say that Barrett Jackson is a joke. If those rich guys wanna spend that much on a high-end restoration then more power to the little guy to takes the time, does it right and makes a fortune off of the organization. Barrett Jackson gives people like us the opportunity to make a living off of what we like to do. I would hardly say it is a joke.
By Dean. November 20th, 2006 at 10:06 pmwow, wow Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is a joke, the price of car had gone to far, but it never will, still Barrett-Jackson Auction Company sucks
By dude. November 20th, 2006 at 4:32 pmYeah, its a cool car built by an engineering legend, but it, like all cars on BJ auctions, is going to be way over what it is honestly worth. All the BJ auctions have ever done is kill this hobby with greed.
By Ken. November 19th, 2006 at 5:53 pmJohn, you call Carrol Shelby a joke. The jokes on you pal.
By 302splash. November 18th, 2006 at 3:09 pmJohn: I don’t personally know Mr. Shelby so I’m not gonna try to argue with you on that front… but how on earth would you call an 800hp Cobra a joke? You have something better?
By Motrhed. November 17th, 2006 at 1:21 pmThe car is almost as much of a joke as the man behind it.
By John. November 17th, 2006 at 10:16 amTry to dig up and listen to Cosby’s “200 MPH” routine. It’s about CSX 3303 and it’s a classic!
By Oski Wah Wah. November 16th, 2006 at 7:47 pmSomeone is going to get killed in that car. Seriously.
By Ranchero66. November 16th, 2006 at 6:25 pmDo I hear a new record bid?
By 1 Bad 88 GT. November 16th, 2006 at 3:34 pmWow! I can’t imagine what that will go for. I also can’t imagine what it must feel like to drive a beast like that.
By blown68. November 16th, 2006 at 6:20 am