CSX2451 - the Mercer Cobra

[Nedsel]

ItBites - thanks for not bringing up the Edsel in that list.

[GWL]

Looks like the Mercer Cobra Roadster went to auction. Expected $800,000 to $1.2 million.

The special Mercer-Cobra Roadster will be put to auction on August 20, 2011 in Monterey with an expected draw of $800,000-$1,200,000.

Now that was in August 2011. Anyone know what happened?

1965 Mercer Cobra Roadster - Top Speed

Just found it:

1965 Mercer-Cobra Roadster - sold for $660,000
SUPERCARS.NET - Image Gallery for 1965 Mercer-Cobra

George

[Nedsel]

I guess you might call the expected draw "optimistic."

[csx4910]

That is wrong on sooooo many levels

[CowtownCobra]

Did Exner drink during the day?

[mrmustang]

Truly beauty in the eye of the beholder .


Bill S.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Truly beauty in the eye of the beholder .


Bill S.

Agree, and remember this was built in 1965 so must have been extremely rad at the time. Obviously not everyone's cup-o-tea, but this is part of cobra history, one man's vision of a roadster using some authentic cobra donor parts. Ironically, the Mercer-Cobra is closer to the real deal versus anything members have here

The engine was a Ford 289 installed and purchased from Shelby’s stock of CSX chassis Cobras being built in the same time frame.
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[computerworks]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

The engine was a Ford 289 installed and purchased from Shelby’s stock of CSX chassis Cobras being built in the same time frame.
----

No real Cobras were harmed in the making of this car.

Although it bears a CSX number (as it should), it was born as a bare chassis at AC and had it's wheelbase stretched.

Shelby took the order from Exner, a US customer... but the finished chassis was drop-shipped from AC to Italy, where the new body was crafted.

So they didn't scrap any of "Shelby's stock of..Cobras" and this pup never saw SoCal.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by computerworks

No real Cobras were harmed in the making of this car.

Although it bears a CSX number (as it should), it was born as a bare chassis at AC and had it's wheelbase stretched.

Shelby took the order from Exner, a US customer... but the finished chassis was drop-shipped from AC to Italy, where the new body was crafted.

So they didn't scrap any of "Shelby's stock of..Cobras" and this pup never saw SoCal.

No real Cobras were harmed in the making of this car.
So they didn't scrap any of "Shelby's stock of..Cobras" and this pup never saw SoCal.
Just one fewer Shelby Cobra built, and a one Mercer-Cobra built in it's place

[Steve Cassani]

From Computerworks first post on the subject:

"They purchased chassis number CSX2451 from Shelby and lengthened it 18 inches to start the build of this one and only 1965 Mercer Cobra." (my italics)

How was this done? Did they attach or splice a length of tubing onto the frame tubes? The framing that extends from the main tubes seems too light to handle additional weight, especially when the weight would be hung further from the point of attachement with the twin tubes.

[computerworks]

It's my understanding that the splice was done mid-ship to the main tubes.

Someone who knows more than me about that could verify that (I believe) they may have used sleeves inside the tubes to strengthen the joint.

This was also done (wheelbase changes) on at least one of the coupes during construction as well.

[mickmate]

Couple more pics of it I just stumbled on Just a Car Guy: Mercer Cobra

[mdross1]

No doubt this car is a far cry from the incredible lines of our Cobra's but to some it is a beauty.Would be a treat to meet and talk to the designer(s) and hear about the inspiration for this car and some of it's special features.

[SunDude]

The Mar-Apr 1977 issue of Special Interest Autos magazine featured an article about CSX2451, the Mercer-Cobra. This car sold at RM Auctions Monterey 2011 for $600,000 USD.