1966 Shelby Cobra 427
- Engine
- 427 cu. in. (approx. 7.0L) side-oiler V8, ~410 bhp
- Colour
- Red over black
Chassis CSX 3259 is a genuine 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 street car, originally billed to Shelby American in April 1966 and retailed through Stark Hickey Ford in Michigan. First sold to a private buyer in Indiana, it later spent time in England and Germany before returning to the United States. After sustaining guardrail damage at a historic race event in 2003, the car was fully restored and subsequently received a comprehensive cosmetic recommissioning by a noted Californian Shelby specialist, returning it to original red-over-black street specification.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,210,000
- 1966-06-30 → 1966-08-01Factory deliveryStark Hickey Fordfull documentation
Michigan dealership that received the car from Shelby American; original invoice from AC to Shelby American and related paperwork documented in ownership file.
- 1966-08-01 →Private saleJim Raylfull documentation
Original retail purchaser from Kokomo, Indiana; car remained in the US through the 1970s and had accumulated roughly 21,700 miles by 1979. California registration receipts from 1970 onward support this period.
- 1979 → 1982Acquisition unknownEnglish owner prior to German salepartial documentation
Car was exported to England in 1979; European ownership receipts from this period are part of the documentation file.
- 1982 →Private saleMichael Burgelpartial documentation
German owner who registered the car under the plate BO-W8; used primarily on public roads but occasionally entered in European Cobra events.
- 2003 →Acquisition unknownDoug Johnsonpartial documentation
Had the chassis prepared for historic racing at Monterey; after a barrier contact during competition, a full restoration was carried out and the car was subsequently shown at multiple events.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFrank Sytnerpartial documentation
1988 British Touring Car Champion who owned the car prior to its return to the United States; no specific dates given for this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Commissioned a full cosmetic restoration by California-based Shelby specialist Mike McCluskey, returning the car to its original red-over-black street specification.
Competition
- 1978First Annual Brown County Shelby American Automobile Club Meet
Car made an appearance at this Indiana-based club gathering; nature of participation not specified.
- 2003Monterey HistoricsDNF — barrier contact
Car was prepared specifically for this historic event but made contact with a guardrail during competition; photographic evidence of damage and subsequent repair is held in the ownership file.
- —European Cobra events
During its German ownership the car was occasionally entered in European Cobra racing events; no specific dates or results recorded.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003Restoration
Complete restoration carried out following guardrail contact sustained during the Monterey Historics; photographic documentation of both the damage and the repair work is available.
Restoration followed racing accident; photo record forms part of the car's provenance file.
- —RestorationMike McCluskey
Thorough cosmetic restoration returning the car to its as-delivered street specification in red over black, including correct instrumentation, new upholstery and carpeting, proper intake and exhaust manifolds, correct carburetors, exhaust pipes, under-panels, and fuel tank.
Carried out during the most recent ownership period by a California-based Shelby specialist; original Halibrand wheels retained.
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