Carroll Shelby & the 50th Anniversary CSX 8000 Cobra

[rodneym]

Keith,
You seem to have hinted about knowledge of the Shelby Engine Co motors.
I can't find anything, good or bad, about them.
Folks are VERY opinionated about the Cobras but I don't hear anything about the motors.
Anything you're willing to share?

[STL Mark]

Does anyone know if one of the cars will make an appearance on the block at Barrett-Jackson or was it just a PR thing?

[Excaliber]

But must it happen in EVERY Shelby topic EVERY time?

The car in question on THIS thread is a limited production special edition new offering at a price close to twice that of a comparable Kirkham (if you choose the alloy edition). This isn't just another Shelby thread.

As such, a robust discussion involving value, cost comparison, provenance, prominence, history of the street cars and SPECIFICS about this build are certainly warranted. At least, in my opinion. Fact is, there hasn't been a lot of in depth discussion as it concerns the street 289 cars in general and modern 8000 series cars in particular.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

I think you have left off a couple major cost elements on the street 289 from Kirkham.
The leaf spring suspension adds $15,995 to the $61,995. A brush finish just to get close to a surface that can be painted adds another $7,999.

The filed finish is the best finish for painting the car. There is no reason to spend the money to brush the car if you want to paint it. The painter will have to sand the body right before priming the car anyway so the file marks are not a problem.

As for the price. The price really doesn't seem extremely high to us. It looks like the Shelby 50th Anniversary cars are coming with some very expensive options. Paint, red interior, glove box, wire wheels, bumpers, etc. The same car from us would probaby cost over $100,000 as well.

David

[fordracing65]

David K knows, he da man

[STL Mark]

Limited production, special options, painted, full-roller, anniversary edition, CSX numbered - agree with David - price seems in range.

Damn nice looking car.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Keithc8

This is one reason the Kirkham's and I get along so well.

...which may be why you got snubbed by Shelby.

[Buzz]

No one seems to mind that even with the original Cobras, a Shelby badged car carries a distinct price premium over an otherwise identical AC COB/COX car, and there is even less beyond the badging to differentiate between the two. The Shelby name has value in the Cobra world. Take nothing away from the contracted suppliers, be they AC or Kirkham - they build the cars we all lust for - and Shelby's magic dust supplies the extra cachet.

ca·chet noun \ka-ˈshā\
Definition of CACHET
1a : a seal used especially as a mark of official approval
b : an indication of approval carrying great prestige
2a : a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige
b : prestige <being rich … doesn't have the cachet it used to —
Truman Capote>

[stephen_becker]

As of 3pm Saturday afternoon there are fifty new owners of the fifty anniversary cars - the 50th anniversary CSX 289 Cobra is SOLD OUT!!

50 cars sold in five days!!

SGB

[1985 CCX]

Does the anniversary edition really bring in buyers? Just another sales and marketing thing I would say.... Good thing as the price looks to be the same as the 49th year so a premium is not set for the 50th.

Either way I love the slabs..... Not enough on the road I say!

[N2VENOM]

50/50 sold. Hats off to Shelby. The brightest side is welcoming 50 new cobra owners to our small family.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by stephen_becker

As of 3pm Saturday afternoon there are fifty new owners of the fifty anniversary cars - the 50th anniversary CSX 289 Cobra is SOLD OUT!!

50 cars sold in five days!!

SGB

Congratulations! Bad Economy? What Bad Economy?

How long will it take to make 50 cars and what is the breakdown between aluminum and fiberglass?

[Dominik]

Bear with me, english is not my first language and I have no clue about Cobra marketing and selling, but:

If someone (CS) markets a car, using components from suppliers and subcontracted labour in a rented (or owned) facility and calls it his car, this is perfectly normal in the automotive business (if not any business).

Were the 50 cars worth $35k more than a Kirkham equivalent? In the last week they were.

[RodKnock]

Mere speculation of course, but someone posted on the SAAC Forum that one or two dealers were the primary buyer(s) for the 50 CSX8000's.

I would also speculate that you'll probably see at least a few of these cars hit the market over the next few years, so save your coins.

[twobjshelbys]

I got an email from Denbeste that alluded to some exclusivity.

It makes sense that the dealers will be the purchasers. Shelby won't sell to mere mortals, but first to Shelby Distribution then to one of the authorized dealers. That dealer preps the car for the end user (which may involve nothing being done, but usually includes power train.) So the real question is "are real individuals names attached to the purchases" or are they spec builds? My guess is it is probably some of both.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I got an email from Denbeste that alluded to some exclusivity.

It makes sense that the dealers will be the purchasers. Shelby won't sell to mere mortals, but first to Shelby Distribution then to one of the authorized dealers. That dealer preps the car for the end user (which may involve nothing being done, but usually includes power train.) So the real question is "are real individuals names attached to the purchases" or are they spec builds? My guess is it is probably some of both.

My impression, right or wrong, was that Mr. Becker was marketing them to the SAAC Forum and Club Cobra in order to sell them to individuals like me. So, how many were REALLY sold?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

My impression, right or wrong, was that Mr. Becker was marketing them to the SAAC Forum and Club Cobra in order to sell them to individuals like me. So, how many were REALLY sold?

I'll bet that Shelby production is sold out but that a portion of them are going to dealer inventory without individuals names attached ("spec cars").

I got an email from DenBeste. So he has at least a few on order.

I also imagine that privacy rules will prevent disclosure except by the individual dealers themselves of exactly what the disposition of the 50 will be.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I also imagine that privacy rules will prevent disclosure except by the individual dealers themselves of exactly what the disposition of the 50 will be.

I knew my question was rhetorical. I know exactly when I'll find out the answers to my questions. When the next edition of the Shelby World Registry is published in 2018.

[rodneym]

Just wait for the 50th Anniversary Edition of the 427.

Even if there's only 50 of those, I'm sure they'll be priced up there and 'Sold Out'. Whatever that means nowadays.

[Excaliber]

Ferrari prices went through the roof when Enzo passed away, then dropped like a rock within a few years afterward. Some folks made a lot of money, others lost. We see a shifting of the wealth, on occasion, from various event's around the world. Limited edition's, if their not over done, create such an event. Some loose, some gain, position yourself wisely. Limited edition Mustangs? Not so much, there is a limit to a "limited edition" whatever, I think they call those "collectibles".

...just sayin', or maybe speculatin'...