American Shelby has built numerous versions of the Cobra sports car over the years, though among the most desirable—and collectable—are the 427 S/C and Competition cars.
One of those cars, a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra, is now headed to auction and is likely to fetch millions.
The car, which bears chassis number CSX3006 and features its original aluminum body, is one of just 23 examples in existence, and it’s set to go under the hammer at a Mecum auction on next month in Kissimmee, Florida.
The 427 S/C and Competition cars were born out of an international racing program in the mid-1960s. For homologation, Shelby needed a minimum of 100 of the 7.0-liter V-8 race cars, but the company only got around to building 56, including two prototypes, resulting in the end of the racing program.
1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra bearing chassis no. CSX3006 – Photo credit: Mecum
Shelby proceeded to adapt the race cars for use on the street. He undertook this modification for 31 vehicles, labeling them as Semi-Competition cars with the S/C designation. Meanwhile, 23 cars retained their race car configurations and were labeled the Competition cars, like the one shown here.
The Competition cars were sold to privateer racers. Chassis no. CSX3006 was originally ordered by William Freeman of Muncie, Indiana. He took delivery in 1965 and entered the car that year in two SCCA races before receiving a contract to race with a team in Europe, thus he offloaded the Shelby to a U.S. Air Force officer stationed in France. The car was then sold in 1966 to British racing team The Chequered Flag.
It was during this time that three Formula 1 drivers—Chris Irwin, David Piper, and Bob Bondurant—all took turns behind the wheel. Among its racing appearances, the most notable was the 1966 Ilford Films 500 at Brands Hatch, where Piper and Bondurant drove it to victory.
Now it is seeking a new owner. The car is lot number F231.1 for Mecum’s Kissimmee auction which runs Jan. 2-14.
