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The initial 260 cubic-inch engine powering the Cobra had been upgraded to Ford's new 289 HiPo small-block V-8 by 1963. Producing 306 horsepower, the Cobra attracted the attention of many privateers including George Arents III, who was a partner to Luigi Chinetti's Ferrari distributorship and the North American Racing Team (NART). Mr. Arents acquired the Cobra in December 1964.
This Cobra was delivered new to RBM Atlanta in September 1964 and entered Mr. Arent's care three months later. At the time, the slightly used 289 'street-spec' Cobra had 1,500 miles on its odometer. In early 1965, the Cobra was extensively modified to competition specification, with flared fenders, unbaffled side pipes, a metallic blue nose livery, bespoke cooling scoops in the front fascia and rear fenders, staggered center-lock Halibrand magnesium wheels, and a roll bar.
Throughout the 1965 season, the Cobra competed in the SCCA Southeast Region's A-Production class with NART member Ron Hutchinson recruited to handle driving duties. Hutchinson placed 2nd overall in the season standings with points-producing results at Savannah, Daytona, West Palm Beach, and Mid-Ohio.
For the 1966 season, it is believed that the Cobra was repainted in Guardsmen Blue and entered the Southeast Region's B Production class, as the 427 Cobra took over the SCCA A-Production class.
By late 1968, Mr. Arents had sold the Cobra, and it would pass through the care of three subsequent owners until 1979, when it was acquired by the vintage racer Dale Nichols of Orlando, Florida.
The 289 Cobra was given a complete restoration during the 1980s by Chuck Gutke's Cobra Restorers of Kennesaw, Georgia, with modifications that included a 3.77 differential, cut-back doors, chrome roll bar, and its present tri-color racing livery. On occasions, the car was entered in SVRA vintage racing events by Mr. Nichols.
The current owner purchased the Cobra in August 2002 and in November of 2005, it was sent to Cobra Automotive in Wallingford, Connecticut for a full rebuild of its 289 HiPo V-8 engine and other miscellaneous mechanical needs. Costs exceeded $105,000, and upon completion, its engine had been rejuvenated and greatly improved with the fitment of modern MSD electricals, ARP hardware, racing fuel lines, ceramic coated 'Nassau style' competition headers, and a bevy of additional OEM HiPo equipment.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
This Cobra was delivered new to RBM Atlanta in September 1964 and entered Mr. Arent's care three months later. At the time, the slightly used 289 'street-spec' Cobra had 1,500 miles on its odometer. In early 1965, the Cobra was extensively modified to competition specification, with flared fenders, unbaffled side pipes, a metallic blue nose livery, bespoke cooling scoops in the front fascia and rear fenders, staggered center-lock Halibrand magnesium wheels, and a roll bar.
Throughout the 1965 season, the Cobra competed in the SCCA Southeast Region's A-Production class with NART member Ron Hutchinson recruited to handle driving duties. Hutchinson placed 2nd overall in the season standings with points-producing results at Savannah, Daytona, West Palm Beach, and Mid-Ohio.
For the 1966 season, it is believed that the Cobra was repainted in Guardsmen Blue and entered the Southeast Region's B Production class, as the 427 Cobra took over the SCCA A-Production class.
By late 1968, Mr. Arents had sold the Cobra, and it would pass through the care of three subsequent owners until 1979, when it was acquired by the vintage racer Dale Nichols of Orlando, Florida.
The 289 Cobra was given a complete restoration during the 1980s by Chuck Gutke's Cobra Restorers of Kennesaw, Georgia, with modifications that included a 3.77 differential, cut-back doors, chrome roll bar, and its present tri-color racing livery. On occasions, the car was entered in SVRA vintage racing events by Mr. Nichols.
The current owner purchased the Cobra in August 2002 and in November of 2005, it was sent to Cobra Automotive in Wallingford, Connecticut for a full rebuild of its 289 HiPo V-8 engine and other miscellaneous mechanical needs. Costs exceeded $105,000, and upon completion, its engine had been rejuvenated and greatly improved with the fitment of modern MSD electricals, ARP hardware, racing fuel lines, ceramic coated 'Nassau style' competition headers, and a bevy of additional OEM HiPo equipment.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $1,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,160,000
1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Shelby Cobra 289
(Data based on Model Year 1965 sales)
1965 SHELBY COBRA FIA 289 ROADSTER Chassis#: CSX7010 Sold for USD$110,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#: csx2516 Sold for USD$962,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2407 Sold for USD$1,160,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#: CSX2516 Sold for USD$907,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2547 Sold for USD$1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Sold for USD$1,100,000 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2547 Sold for USD$967,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1965 AC Cobra 289 roadster Chassis#: COB6027 Sold for USD$822,256 2020 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#: CSX2445 Sold for USD$412,500 2019 Mecum : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2588 Chassis#: CSX2588 Sold for USD$1,045,000 2019 Mecum : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX2448 Sold for USD$912,500 2019 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX 8036 Chassis#: CSX 8036 Sold for USD$110,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Auburn Spring | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2442 Sold for USD$995,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#: CSX2549 Sold for USD$950,000 2016 Mecum : Monterey | |
1965 SHELBY COBRA 289 Chassis#: CSX2524 Sold for USD$880,000 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2495 Chassis#: CSX2495 Sold for USD$957,000 2016 Worldwide Auctions - The Houston Classic | |
1965 SHELBY 289 COBRA ROADSTER CSX2495 Chassis#: CSX2495 Sold for USD$797,500 2016 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra 'Dragonsnake' CSX2472 Chassis#: CSX2472 Sold for USD$1,300,000 2015 The Auburn Auction | |
1965 Shelby Cobra CSX4185 Challenge Series Chassis#: CSX4185 Sold for USD$63,800 2015 Russo & Steele : Monterey | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX2315 Sold for USD$858,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours |
Shelby Cobra 289s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1965 Shelby Cobra 289's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | csx2517 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $700,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2517 | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | $925,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 |
1965 Shelby Factory Stage III 289 Cobra Dragonsnake | CSX2427 | 2022 Mecum : Monterey | $1,400,000 | ||
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2495 | 2021 Mecum : Monterey | $775,000 | $900,000 | $1,000,000 |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2327 | 2020 Mecum : Indy | |||
1965 Shelby Factory Stage III 289 Cobra Dragonsnake | CSX2427 | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $1,400,000 | $1,750,000 | $2,250,000 |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2588 | CSX2588 | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $875,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2588 | CSX2588 | 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | $1,050,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2588 | 2018 Mecum : Monterey | $1,100,000 | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2588 | 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee | $1,000,000 | ||
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2549 | 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee | $850,000 | ||
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2549 | 2017 Mecum : Las Vegas | $925,000 | ||
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra | CSX2448 | 2017 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2588 | 2017 Mecum : Monterey | $950,000 | ||
1965 Shelby Cobra | 2017 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale | $1,000,000 | $1,150,000 | ||
1965 Shelby 289 FIA Cobra | CSX7051 | 2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, AZ | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX 2442 | CSX 2442 | 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,150,000 |
1965 Shelby Cobra | 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall | $110,000 | $130,000 | $160,000 | |
1965 Ford Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2549 | 2015 Mecum : Indianapolis | $1,000,000 | ||
1965 Shelby Cobra | 2011 Mecum Auctions Monterey, CA The Daytime Auction | ||||
1965 Shelby Cobra | 2011 Mecum Auctions Monterey, CA The Daytime Auction | ||||
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra | CSX 2485 | 2011 RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island | $425,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 |
1965 SHELBY COBRA | CSX4983 | 2011 Russo & Steele Scottsdale, Arizona | |||
1965 SHELBY COBRA REPLICA | 4CRDAK121NF000631 | 2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA | $30,750 | ||
1965 SHELBY COBRA REPLICA | 4CRDAK121NF000631 | 2010 McCormick's Auction #49 Palm Springs, CA | $30,750 | ||
1965 Shelby Cobra Replica | 2010 RM Auctions Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale | $24,000 | $35,000 | $40,000 | |
1965 Shelby AC Cobra | 2010 Mecum Kissimee Auction | $42,000 | |||
1965 SHELBY COBRA REPLICA | 2009 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions November 22, 2009 | $55,000 | |||
1965 Shelby Cobra 4000 Series Roadster | 2009 Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction 22nd Year | $85,000 | |||
1965 SHELBY COBRA REPLICA | 2009 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions February 2009 | $47,000 |
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1965 Shelby Cobra 289
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