Evaluation: Wears chassis number of CSX4343 and assigned VIN of SW119499PA. One of 40 of these 40th anniversary cars (split between aluminum-bodied 427s and fiberglass-bodied 289s) built by Shelby, not a replica or a kit. Recently gone through and sorted for an owner who drove it a grand total of 11 miles and decided it was a bit too hairy to drive. Showing just 1,891 very scary miles total. It looks just about new, almost nicer underneath than it does on top, and truly catches the eye with that gleaming bare aluminum body, supposedly one of just five cars so-finished.
Bottom Line: Don’t call it a replica. These CSX4000-series cars are continuation Cobras with CSX chassis numbers and built by Shelby, who shrewdly saw a gap in the market below the super-collectible original Cobras but above the dozens of different kits and replicas out there. That’s still how the market views the continuation Cobras, although unlike kits and replicas, they’re collectible in their own right and this one keeps getting more expensive. It sold for $126,500 at Mecum Harrisburg in 2019, then for $210,000 on Bring a Trailer in August 2020, and now for nearly double that in 2022, making it the most expensive car to sell Mecum Tulsa. Rarely is buyer’s remorse a profitable enterprise, but this is one huge exception and those were 11 very profitable miles for the seller.
driven 11 miles because it was “a bit too hairy”? let’s be realistic. this is a race car disguised as a sports car for the street. for racing – great. for the street – no way. no radio, no a/c, no dead pedal, no relief from wind buffeting, and totally uncomfortable after 50 miles. yes its rarity makes it valuable (along with Shelby’s autograph) that’s why there are so few miles and the seller kept it for investment purposes – not for the driving experience. as time goes on and gas prices rise even more, we’ll be seeing lots of great cars relegated to investment owners and not true enthusiasts.