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Who would have thought that a chicken farmer from Texas would go on to create one of the most revered and recognized automobiles and nameplates ever produced. Well, that is exactly what Carroll Shelby did back in the early 1960s.
In addition to his chicken farming duties, young Shelby also like to race cars. Not just race, but win....at all costs. Starting with a borrowed MG TC, Shelby was bit by the racing bug in a big way. Fascinated by anything with an engine and somewhat bored after leaving the United States Air Force where he served as a pilot in World War I, it wasn't long before he would modify darn near anything with an engine in it.
Since the American way is to do things bigger and better, Shelby decided to stuff an American V-8 engine into a lightweight British A.C. roadster. Starting with the Ford 260, he was certainly making his mark and drawing plenty of attention.
Of course, this would lead to a lifelong career of stuffing larger engines into lighter cars. Being diagnosed with angina, he found himself unable to continue racing, but his career was primed to take off.
This 1963 Cobra is a prime example of the aluminum-bodied sports car that started it all. With the high-revving small block engine under the hood, this Cobra exemplifies exactly what the chicken farmer had in mind when he decided to make his mark in the racing world.
In addition to his chicken farming duties, young Shelby also like to race cars. Not just race, but win....at all costs. Starting with a borrowed MG TC, Shelby was bit by the racing bug in a big way. Fascinated by anything with an engine and somewhat bored after leaving the United States Air Force where he served as a pilot in World War I, it wasn't long before he would modify darn near anything with an engine in it.
Since the American way is to do things bigger and better, Shelby decided to stuff an American V-8 engine into a lightweight British A.C. roadster. Starting with the Ford 260, he was certainly making his mark and drawing plenty of attention.
Of course, this would lead to a lifelong career of stuffing larger engines into lighter cars. Being diagnosed with angina, he found himself unable to continue racing, but his career was primed to take off.
This 1963 Cobra is a prime example of the aluminum-bodied sports car that started it all. With the high-revving small block engine under the hood, this Cobra exemplifies exactly what the chicken farmer had in mind when he decided to make his mark in the racing world.
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1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Shelby Cobra 289
(Data based on Model Year 1963 sales)
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2044 Sold for USD$1,215,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2135 Sold for USD$1,132,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Works Chassis#: CSX 2129 Sold for USD$4,130,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2095 Sold for USD$682,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online | |
1963 Shelby 260 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2047 Sold for USD$577,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX2135 Sold for USD$962,500 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra 'CSX 2075' Chassis#: CSX 2075 Sold for USD$803,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2082 Sold for USD$615,328 2016 RM Sotheby's : London Sale | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2188 Sold for USD$1,155,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1963 AC Shelby Cobra Mk II 289 Chassis#: CSX2023 Sold for USD$850,000 2015 Rick Cole Monterey | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#: CSX2135 Sold for USD$1,000,000 2015 Mecum : Monterey | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2147 Sold for USD$990,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#: CSX2135 Sold for USD$885,000 2014 Mecum : Indianapolis | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Sold for USD$825,000 2014 Auctions America - Ft Lauderdale | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX2044 Sold for USD$924,000 2013 RM Auctions - Monterey | |
1963 Shelby AC Cobra Chassis#: CSX2034 Sold for USD$2,068,000 2013 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Auction | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2121 Sold for USD$935,000 2013 RM - The Don Davis Collection | |
1963 Shelby Cobra Sold for USD$533,500 2013 Auctions America - Ft Lauderdale | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#: CSX 2048 Sold for USD$522,500 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Mk II Chassis#: CSX 2167 Sold for USD$627,000 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey |
Shelby Cobra 289s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1963 Shelby Cobra 289's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 SHELBY 260 COBRA | CSX2034 | 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,750,000 | $2,500,000 | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | csx2100 | 2023 Mecum : 2023 Monterey | $700,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster | CSX2195 | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $800,000 | $850,000 | $975,000 |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra | CSX 2195 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | $725,000 | $900,000 | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra | CSX 2095 | 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $850,000 | $950,000 | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra | CSX 2149 | 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1963 SHELBY COBRA CSX2177 ROADSTER | CSX2177 | 2018 BarrettJackson : Scottsdale | |||
1963 SHELBY COBRA 289 | CSX2119 | 2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | $1,300,000 | $1,500,000 | |
1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster CSX 2121 | CSX 2121 | 2012 Mecum's 25th Original Spring Classic Indianapolis | $585,000 | ||
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra | CSX 2197 | 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | $540,000 | $575,000 | $675,000 |
1963 Shelby Cobra Roadster | CSX2121 | 2009 Mecum Original Spring Classic Auction 22nd Year | $525,000 | ||
1963 Shelby Cobra 289 | 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island | $790,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1963 Shelby Cobra 289 | 2009 The Scottsdale Auction : Gooding & Company | $525,000 | $600,000 |
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2021 Ford GT Mk II Chassis#:FP-MM-MKII-031 Sold for $1,006,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS 'Weissach' Chassis#:WP0AE2A90KS155248 Sold for $1,006,000 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
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2022 FORD SHELBY GT500 HERITAGE EDITION Chassis#:1FA6P8SJ1N5500016 Sold for $1,000,938 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Houston | |
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2171 Sold for $995,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive | |
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2023 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 - FIRST RETAIL PRODUCTION CONVERT Chassis#:00123456 Sold for $1,000,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1968 FORD MUSTANG CUSTOM FASTBACK Chassis#:8F02C177592 Sold for $1,000,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
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1963 Shelby Cobra 289
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