Carroll Shelby Trust To Complete Unbuilt 427 Shelby Cobra Competition Chassis Race Cars

[RichS]

News Release

 

Media Contact: Scott Black | 214.520.3430 ext. 303 | sblack@tprm.com

CARROLL SHELBY TRUST TO COMPLETE UNBUILT

427 SHELBY COBRA COMPETITION CHASSIS RACE CARS

 

LOS ANGELES – May 12, 2015 – Fifty years after the 427 Shelby Cobra was first introduced, the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust will complete and offer to the public the remaining original Competition Chassis race cars that were started in 1965. Built faithfully to the original specifications, the roadsters will be sold as race cars, just as Carroll Shelby intended when he launched the car in 1965.

 

“The Shelby 427 Cobra is the most iconic car in post-war history,” said Neil Cummings, co-Trustee of the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust. “Shelby American didn’t complete the mandatory 100 units in time to race for the FIA World Championship in 1966. This was because Henry Ford II (“Henry the Deuce”) wanted Carroll to drop what he was doing and take over Ford’s GT-50 race program. Carroll famously replied ‘Ferrari’s ass is mine’, which it was, with the Shelby-led team promptly winning Le Mans and three straight FIA World Championships in the hallowed “Prototype” racing class. Carroll put the 427 S/C program on hold after building 53 of the original 100 homologation cars. The 50 year anniversary of the big block Cobra seemed an appropriate time to finish the last of the Cobras.”

 

Each authentic 427 S/C Shelby Cobra comes with the CSX VIN and badge number originally assigned in 1965, as well as an “MSO” and “Title” document signed by Carroll Shelby himself. As a pure race car, this vehicle cannot be registered for use on the streets. But, each car will be specially registered and have a unique place in the Shelby American World Registry, not to mention American muscle car history.

 

The Shelby 427 S/C indeed has a fascinating history. From 1962-1964, Shelby American dominated racetracks worldwide with its powerful, diminutive 289 Cobra, leading to the now internationally famous Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, which won the FIA World Manufacturers’ Championship in 1965. This is the first, and to this day only, time an American car has won the World Championship on European soil. Then rumors swirled that GM was readying a new big block Corvette and Ferrari was said to be building a more powerful car to outrun the Shelby.

 

“Carroll simply couldn’t and wouldn’t let the competition overtake him, especially Ferrari” said Joe Conway, co-Trustee of Shelby’s Trust. “The Ford small block engines had reached their limit for power and the leaf spring suspension could not handle additional stress given the 289 Cobra’s paltry weight, making it lighter wasn’t an option. Ever looking forward to “the next car,” Carroll and his Shelby American team designed an entirely new Cobra. It was bigger and faster, but at the same time maintained the unique, classic features of all the Cobras.”

 

Shelby American and Ford Motor Company together designed an entirely new coil spring suspension and a stronger frame to accommodate more power. At Ford’s behest, Shelby fitted the 427 NASCAR based engine into the model. In January 1965, the CSX3000 series Cobra was unveiled at Riverside Raceway.

 

The first 100 cars were designated to be competition versions so that the car could compete in FIA races, ergo the “S/C” designation appearing after “427.” Only 53 were completed before Henry Ford II made his special request of Carroll to take on Ferrari in the “Prototype” class. This, in reality, marked the end of the Shelby Cobra builds…998 in all. Until now!

 

Carroll Shelby began the sacred task of completing the “Remaining 43” in 1988 when he hired the legendary restorer Mike McCluskey, who began the painstaking job of making the tooling, jigs and fixtures necessary to build these vintage cars true to their original specifications.

 

Carroll completed and sold five of the 427 S/C Cobras for $500,000 each between 1990 and 1992. Then AC Cars foolishly tried to claim the Cobra and its heritage by spreading false rumors about Carroll and Shelby American in automotive publications and newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times. Shelby brought suit to establish not only his rights, but also to compel this English company, once and for all, to acknowledge America’s and Shelby’s place as the “Manufacturer of Record” of all the original 260, 289 and 427 Cobras (998 in all), and the ones responsible for the Shelby Cobra’s incredible racing successes. The litigation with AC Cars went on for years. But, ultimately, Shelby prevailed on all fronts, and the owner of AC Cars signed a written statement (published worldwide) acknowledging the truth that Shelby was the “creator,” “Manufacturer of Record” and racing guru for all of the Cobras.

 

“After we forced AC Cars to admit that the Cobra was purely Carroll's vision and all Cobras were built by, or under license to Shelby American, Shelby contemplated restarting production,” said Cummings. “But, he was already busy building continuation component Cobras and moving his operations to Las Vegas. Carroll told me he wanted to suspend the 427 Cobra Competition Chassis program until after his passing so he could focus on other projects involving new model year vehicles.”

 

In 2014, the Carroll Shelby Trust followed Carroll’s wishes and undertook the job of gradually finishing the remainder of the 427 S/C Cobras.

 

Each competition chassis Cobra features a spectacular aluminum body clad in a customer’s choice of color and with a black interior. The engines will be period correct and supplied by the Carroll Shelby Engine Company, which is owned and operated by Bill DenBeste. Each will be fitted with an original cast-iron Ford side oiler 427 block, forged internals and correct medium riser cylinder heads. The engine will be dressed with period correct parts including an Aviaid oil pan, sandcast Cobra valve covers, medium riser intake, Le Mans carburetor and turkey pan air box.

 

All of that power will run through a blueprinted 4-speed correct gearbox. The Shelby features the original style swept forward shifter, horn button, Raydyot mirrors and Lucas headlights to add to the overall aesthetic authenticity. It comes with a MSO listing it as a 1965 Cobra signed by the late Carroll Shelby for ownership purposes.

 

A portion of the sale from each 427 Shelby Cobra Competition series car will be donated to help construction of the "Shelby Automotive Museum” in Los Angeles, California, which is now in the design and build stage. This tax exempt 501(9)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation was created by Carroll Shelby to celebrate American racing heritage, including Mr. Shelby's contributions to that history.

 

Those interested in one of the only remaining Competition Chassis Shelby 427 Cobra can contact the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust at (310) 327-5072.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical, including statements regarding the Company’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results may differ materially from those expected because of various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the continuing effects of the U.S. recession and global credit environment, other changes in general economic and industry conditions, the award or loss of significant client assignments, timing of contracts, recruiting and new business solicitation efforts, currency fluctuations, and other factors affecting the financial health of our clients. These and other risks are described in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

 

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[ageishecker]

What is different than the continuation cars that prevents them from being street legal? That is, ignoring the problem of selling complete cars.

[mikeljgt500kr]

Good question Al……..

[David Hawkins]

What is different than the continuation cars that prevents them from being street legal? That is, ignoring the problem of selling complete cars.

I was thinking the same thing, as well as, will they be built to exact 1965 Specs, meaning, nothing modern installed? Also, how is Planet Cobra going to deal with this? Plus, I bet they will not be cheap......

[twobjshelbys]

Where's the proof reader? GT-50? What a glaring mistake.

[twobjshelbys]

I was thinking the same thing, as well as, will they be built to exact 1965 Specs, meaning, nothing modern installed? Also, how is Planet Cobra going to deal with this? Plus, I bet they will not be cheap......

 

These vehicles are being offered by the trust in Gardena, not through Shelby American. As all alloy cars, probably not from Kirkhan's line, these will be pricey. I expect it will take a number of years to complete the build out.

 

Since they come with a MSO it'll be a matter of time before one or more are registered. None in CA though. Note that the press release states the MSOs were signed by Carroll, so these were planned a while ago.

 

I hope it raises lots of money.

[David Hawkins]

 

These vehicles are being offered by the trust in Gardena, not through Shelby American. As all alloy cars, probably not from Kirkhan's line, these will be pricey. I expect it will take a number of years to complete the build out.

 

Since they come with a MSO it'll be a matter of time before one or more are registered. None in CA though. Note that the press release states the MSOs were signed by Carroll, so these were planned a while ago.

 

I hope it raises lots of money.

It says that the Cars will not be Street Legal so I don't think any can be Registered for a Tag. Carroll wanted it done but after his passing so I think he may have pre-signed the MSO's

[twobjshelbys]

It says that the Cars will not be Street Legal so I don't think any can be Registered for a Tag. Carroll wanted it done but after his passing so I think he may have pre-signed the MSO's

 

Unless the MSO is explicitly stated as a bill of sale, someone will find a way, and then the title will follow through subsequent owners.

[mikeljgt500kr]

http://www.saac.com/files/latimes041393.pdf

[ChicagoChris]

In the beginning of the above article it states these cars will come with their 'original CSX VIN and badge number assigned in 1965.'

 

This is what got Shelby in trouble in 1990 as he sold those cars as original/completed 1965 cars and folks tried to title/register them as such.

 

So, if I read the article correctly these cars will be sold assembled and most likely the MSO will identify them as not street legal/race cars (VS the MSO of the CSX 4000 cars which identifies them as 'component cars').

[Don Johnston]

So the clerk at the DMV counter asks, "Let's see if I have this correct. It took the factory fifty years to finish making your car?"

 

[David Hawkins]

So the clerk at the DMV counter asks, "Let's see if I have this correct. It took the factory fifty years to finish making your car?"

 

ANSWER: Yes....... DAMN UNIONS.

[Bookwyrm]

The mistake in the '90s was not clearly selling them as non-street legal vehicles combined with AC Cars getting their panties in a bunch. The latter issue was thoroughly dealt with, and I'd assume that the MSO's this time around make that clear (since they're nowhere near modern car spec, and you can't actually register them as a '65) and even in the '60's these particular cars shouldn't have been titled as street legal since they were destined to be competition cars. That being said, I saw the chassis sitting there in Gardena at the Bash and was wondering if they were going to ever do more than collect dust... Nice to see that they are :happy feet:

[tomshep]

Expensive museum piece.

 

Tom

[08KR525]

If the purchaser of one of these cars has the will then I have no doubt they'll be able to get it registeted. Besides, getting one of these Cobras will be easier than getting a hold of a new FGT.

[ilmor]

Hoping whoever gets one enjoys it!

[stephen_becker]

3 for sale on ebay

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292355278686

 

Red, White, Blue

 

CSX 3066

CSX 3067

CSX 3068

 

1.5M for all three

[David Hawkins]

3 for sale on ebay

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292355278686

 

Red, White, Blue

 

CSX 3066

CSX 3067

CSX 3068

 

1.5M for all three

Carroll completed and sold five of the 427 S/C Cobras for $500,000 each between 1990 and 1992, so why not try it again.

[ITHERTZ66]

Carroll completed and sold five of the 427 S/C Cobras for $500,000 each between 1990 and 1992, so why not try it again.

 

That was before he got called out on the BS surrounding his continuation CSX3000 cars, and also while he was still alive. He knew damn well he couldn't get away with building more, so he saved the MSOs with instructions to try again once he was dead - or how the story goes.