1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster

Chassis number CSX 3015 is very special for so many reasons. It is one of only 23 427 Competition Roadsters built, it was originally built for Carroll Shelby, and one of two Super Snake Cobras constructed. On September 7, 1965, CSX 3015 was shipped and invoiced to Ford Advanced Vehicles, England, as a 427 Cobra Competition roadster. The car returned from Europe in late 1966. Early to mid-1967, CSX 3015 was converted into the Super Snake model and re-classified as 427 Cobra Semi-Competition (SC). Part of the reason for the conversion was the 427 Cobra Competition did not have a muffler, windshield, bumpers, and other items required for the street. Thus, Cobra Competitions were race cars and not street-legal. All 427 Cobra SCs had titles and were legal to drive on public roads.

This car, CSX 3015, is one of two Super Snake Cobras built (the other example is CSX 3303 - which was built for Bill Cosby). CSX 3303 began as a 1967 427 street car and was retained by Shelby American as a PR car before being converted into a Super Snake for Cosby. Mr. Cosby drove it once and then returned it to Shelby American. Shelby American sold it to S&C Motors in San Francisco, who then sold it to their customer, Tony Maxey. Sadly, Mr. Maxey drove CSX 3303 off a cliff and into the Pacific Ocean.

CSX 3015 is a full Competition Roadster that retains its original body with its 1967 aluminum 'Super Snake' hood. Currently, it has its original date coded 1965 Competition Girling CR and BR calipers. It has a 427 Competition 377 rear end with its original rear end oil cooler and pumps. Under the hood is the original 1965 date-coded engine, 5M17, December 17, 1965.

In 2015, the car was brought to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Az. where it was sold for the sum of $5,115,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2015