Rare Shelby Cobra Heads for Auction

Love of a particular design is always going to be subjective – one person’s dream Ferrari is another’s less than beautiful sports car. Yet it’s hard to argue against the timeless, yet nostalgic curved designs from the stable of Shelby/AC Cobra. The sleek designs are generally thought to be some of the most iconic, and have inspired many similar kit-car designs since Carroll Shelby tentatively requested that AC build him a compact V8-powered sports car in 1961.

That request became the CSX 2000 with that V8 engine somehow squeezed into the original chassis of an AC Ace. This one-of-a-kind (indeed, the only Cobra for just over half a year) was capable of 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds (as tested by Road & Track in 1962) and sold at auction for $13.75 million four years ago.

Now, step forward into the light Shelby’s very own Cobra Super Snake with Carroll Shelby’s autograph on the dashboard. The Super Snake is one of only two models to ever to see production and dates back to 1966. Sadly, the other Super Snake met an untimely end diving into the Pacific from a cliff top along with its driver, so this is now the only one that remains.

The twin-supercharged Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake will be offered for auction by Barrett-Jackson from March 20-27 during the company’s 50th anniversary Scottsdale collector car auction. Barrett-Jackson should be quite familiar with the Shelby Super Snake by now, having previously sold the car twice; the first time to Ron Pratte for $5.5 million in 2007 creating a world record amount for a Shelby Cobra. Pratte then used Barrett-Jackson once more to move the car on for $5.115 million in 2017.

CEO of Barrett-Jackson, Craig Jackson, describes this classic Shelby Super Snake as ‘arguably one of the most iconic, and important, American sports cars ever built’, citing how the aforementioned Road & Track described it as ‘the Cobra to end all Cobras’.

The 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake was actually built for personal street use for Carroll Shelby (Shelby was once allegedly pulled over by Nevada Highway Patrol doing 190mph in this very car), and the vehicle itself came from one of the 23 competition 427 Cobras that were built. Twin Paxton superchargers were added and connected to a three-speed auto transmission capable of handling the power generated by the 427ci V8 engine.

The 50th anniversary Scottsdale auction will feature some other rather special vehicles too, like a perfect 1969 Chevvy Camaro Indy Pace Car – a genuine Indy 500 convertible pace vehicle. Though the Shelby Cobra Super Snake will be the only vehicle up for sale with a set reserve minimum price.

Please visit Barrett Jackson.co.uk to find out more about this auction.

Images: Barrett Jackson