[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/first-shelby-cobra\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/first-shelby-cobra\/","headline":"The First Shelby Cobra","name":"The First Shelby Cobra","description":"Widely accepted as the most important American sports car ever, the CSX 2000 is often credited for revolutionising the automotive world with blistering pace that would be impressive for a brand new car hitting showrooms today. Born when Carroll Shelby crammed a lightweight Ford V8 engine into a modified AC Ace chassis, the original Shelby Cobra signalled the start of the manufacturer\u2019s humongous automotive legacy which includes the AC Cobra and the Shelby Mustang, a performance-focussed twist on Ford\u2019s famous […]","datePublished":"2016-07-11","dateModified":"2016-07-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MO16_r194_001-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/MO16_r194_001-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/first-shelby-cobra\/","about":["CLASSIC CARS"],"wordCount":338,"keywords":["AC Cobra","American sports car","carroll shelby","CSX 2000","Ford V8 engine","Lamborghini Gallardo","Shelby Cobra","shelby mustang"],"articleBody":"Widely accepted as the most important American sports car ever, the CSX 2000 is often credited for revolutionising the automotive world with blistering pace that would be impressive for a brand new car hitting showrooms today.Born when Carroll Shelby crammed a lightweight Ford V8 engine into a modified AC Ace chassis, the original Shelby Cobra signalled the start of the manufacturer\u2019s humongous automotive legacy which includes the AC Cobra and the Shelby Mustang, a performance-focussed twist on Ford\u2019s famous muscle car.But just how fast was the Shelby Cobra? Well, when Road & Track magazine tested it in 1962, they recorded a 0-60mph sprint of 4.2 seconds, a standing quarter-mile run in 13.8 seconds at 112 mph, and a top speed of 153 mph.That kind of pace makes it about as quick as a Lamborghini Gallardo, so imagine how many minds it blew back in the \u201860s.The original Cobra never left Carroll Shelby\u2019s ownership right up until the day he died due to heart problems in 2012, aged 89.To drum up interest in the fledgling company, it was painted different colours to trick the public into thinking there was more than one Cobra and that orders were rolling in for the car. In reality, it was the only Cobra in existence for seven months until production finally got into full swing.We can only guess how much it will go for when it is auctioned at by RM Sotheby\u2019s in California on August 19th, but we\u2019d expect it to fetch seven figures easy.\u201cWhen it comes to American sports cars, CSX 2000 is without peers,\u201d said Shelby Myers, car specialist at RM Sotheby\u2019s.\u201cIts historical significance and impact on the global sports car scene cannot be overstated. In the automotive world, CSX 2000 was the shot heard \u2018round the world; it revolutionised not only American racing, but the greater auto industry as a whole.\u201dMr Myers added that without the original Shelby Cobra, \u201cthe automotive landscape and sports cars as we know them would be very different\u201d."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Classic Cars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/classic-cars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The First Shelby Cobra","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/classic-cars\/first-shelby-cobra\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]