1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster

The coil-spring 427 Cobras can be divided into five series by specification, including the competition, semi-competition (S/C), and three different series of street-specification. Many road-going Cobras were later converted to race in SCCA events, and this particular car - chassis number CSX 3125 - is one of those examples. It has a history known from new, and spent some of its early years on the track.

This street-specification 427 Cobra, the 25th example built, was finished in white paint with a black interior. It was originally shipped to Gene Hamon Ford of Texas City, Texas, and invoiced on September 17th of 1965. Its first known owner (also believed to be its original owner) was Ron Lambeth of Dallas, Texas. A short time after its purchase, it was converted to SCCA A-Production specifications. The work included widening the original sunburst wheels, fitting larger brakes, competition windscreen, a roll bar, and side pipes, as well as fitting a 36-gallon fuel tank and aluminum cylinder heads, all sourced directly from Shelby.

Lambeth raced the Cobra during the 1966 and 1967 seasons, and was quite successful, qualifying for the American Road Race of Champions held at Daytona in 1967.

The next owner was John Paul Sr. of Burlington, Massachusetts, who continued to race in SCCA events very successfully. Mr. Paul placed 1st in the Northeast division in both 1968 and 1969. After the 1969 season, the car was advertised for sale and would remain unsold through early 1970. At this time, the drivetrain and chassis were refreshed and the car was repainted. After the work was completed, the car was sold to Sylvia Smith of South Burlington, Vermont, purchased through her driver, Paul Chroinere, trading a road-specification 427 Cobra (CSX 3309) in the process.

This Cobra returned to the track in 1971, qualifying again for the American Road Race of Champions that year held at Road Atlanta. It finished 8th in class and 14th overall, making it the highest-finishing A-Production Cobra that year.

The car was then offered for sale in early 1972 but would remain with Smith until 1974, when it was purchased by Peter Sheridan of London, England, and shipped across the pond, where it was registered RRB 500 and recommissioned for street use. It remained in the UK until 1980, when it was sold to Rolf Saxer of Switzerland, who retained the car for the next sixteen years.

In 1996, it was sold to Bertold Theussen of Xanten, Germany, followed by a full restoration, with the work commencing in 1997. During the process, its original colors were confirmed, and it was shown to have its original chassis, body, engine, transmission, and interior. The car remained in this configuration until it was purchased by Mr. Fonvielle in 2005.

The new owner continued the restoration and had it returned to its as-raced specification, finished in blue with white stripes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019