The Last Shelby Cobra 289

[cycleguy55]

This is the last Shelby 289 Cobra that would ever be sold, capping off a remarkably successful run that gave the humble AC Ace Roadster a whole new lease on life, not to mention global fame and notoriety.

Over the decades since it was built, this car has remained remarkably original – retaining its factory-fitted chassis, body, engine, and drivetrain. Its engine is the 289 cubic inch “HiPo” V8 with an aluminum intake and Holley 715 CFM “LeMans” carburetor, it’s fitted with a 4-speed manual gearbox, and it was optioned with “Class A” accessories from new.

Apart from a respray in the original Rouge Iris color the car is the same as it was when it left the factory, and it has benefitted from a comprehensive mechanical sorting during ownership of Cobra expert Colin Comer.

The car pictured here is CSX2588, the final one built for public sale in ’65. One further car was bolted together in the factory however it was made for Carroll himself, and it was kept in the Shelby family.

Mecum are due to auction this car off between the 5th and 14th of January in Kissimmee, Florida. There’s no estimate attached to the car as of yet, however it’s likely to attract some very serious collectors due to its historic significance. If you’d like to read more about it or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing.