Mystery solved. Shelby Trust to sell Real Cobras

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Very nice project. However I have issues and concerns. There are pros and cons.

Pros:
1. CSX3000 vin # from SAI
2. A lot of original NOS equipment and details that's hard to find today.
3. Original power from a real 1965 NASCAR 427SO.
4. Limited number.

Cons:
1. Not able to drive on the street. Closed course only as I understand. Also I would never drive this car on a closed course for multiple reasons.
2. Not a 1965 Chassis. Merely a continuation chassis stamped with a CSX3000 vin. The original "Completion" series cars were supposed to be the original unused 1965 chassis used to complete the homologation run of the original comp cars to 100 in number. It was established such chassis do not exist and CS got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. These are not true "completion cars" anyway you slice it. Putting original NOS parts on them and an original NASCAR 427SO does not change that.

I don't think original cars had NASCAR 427's in them. I may be wrong here as just about anything is possible with the originals. The NASCAR crank is a BEAST. The Navy could use them for battleship anchors.

3. These cars are really Continuation Chassis Shelby's completed to a very high level of original detail. What you are paying for is the hard to find NOS parts and the CSX3000 vin on a new chassis.
4. Very high buy in price. My bet will be at least $250,000.00 for the chassis with the CSX3000 stamping and another $100,000.00 to finish with original 427SO and NOS parts. This for a car you can't drive? Its a high priced statute.

I imagine they will be much, much more than that.

Would I pay a lot of extra money for a CSX3000 vin on an original chassis? You bet. Would I pay a lot of extra money for a CSX3000 vin stamped on my chassis? No.

Finishing a Shelby Continuation series to near original specs is expensive and time consuming. Very true. Mine is finished to such a very high level of detail and has the bulk of what's on the list for the CSX3000 series so I know. But there are more details than what's on that list which I have and are not on the list.

I very much doubt your car (or anyone else's made after the original run in the 60's) is finished to the level of detail of these cars. The parts simply don't exist. The list I gave is extremely shortened and doesn't reflect 1/100th of the unreal parts we put in the car. (For example, the car included original Ford--in the box--shift ring, buttons, boot, original Lucas rheostat for dimming the dash lights, original Lucas tie rod ends (I have never seen those), original Ford coil bracket, original Ford fuel filter mount, original Ford solenoid, original Lucas rear view mirror (I haven't seen one of those in years and years), original in the box Girling master cylinders, original suspension rod end boots (most people don't even know about these), original brake line clips, original plastic wiring harness clamps, original grommets!!!, original Girling brake line nuts, on and on and on. I just don't have time to list everything. Like I said, Smaug would be jealous.

My comments certainly aren't a knock on your car or anyone else's. Keep in mind, many ORIGINAL cars are not finished to this level of detail, as they have been modified over the years with replacement parts.

That's my take.

Many of us have art in our homes. What use is that? Who cares about a rock someone chiseled on or a canvas someone threw some paint against? Many do. Art is beautiful on its own.

David