1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster

CSX 2356 was shipped to Detroit, Michigan as a factory demonstrator in 1964 and registered by the Ford Motor Company. Eight months later, and showing 3000 miles, it was virtually 'remanufactured' by Shelby American, including mostly new body panels. It was sold by Hi-Performance Motors in Los Angeles, as a new 1965 model in May of that year. The first private owner was Flora L. Darling, who owned it until her death in 2012 at the age of 1981. The car had been with her for 47 years. After her husband died in 1987, Mrs. Darling never again drove the Cobra. It was put away in her garage under two car covers, where it remained. The car still retains its original California black plats in its original 'Hi Performance Motors' frames and numerous California registration slips, as well as the original FoMoCo Michigan registration. The car still has it's original spare, jack and handle, mallet, grease gun, and two vinyl bags, one with miscellaneous tools, and side curtains for both the hard and soft tops. The Cobra was repainted in the 1970s, and the seats were re-upholstered at that time.

This Cobra has its original ignition key, hood latches T-handle key, and its etched 'Cobra' sun visors and wind wings are intact.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA sale. It was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $792,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012