185-Mile 1962 Shelby Cobra 289 50th Anniversary Edition

Description

In 1962, chicken farmer, Army Air Corps pilot, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, car constructor, and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby embarked on a venture that combined the lightweight body of the AC Ace with Ford's 260 cubic-inch V8 engine. This fusion of lightweight British engineering and American power took place at Los Angeles-based Shelby-American Inc. to become the legendary Shelby Cobra. These early leaf spring small block-powered Cobras – just 655 total built between 1962 and 1965 – are some of the most highly sought-after and frequently replicated cars of all time. While many modern Cobras are unauthorized copies, this example was produced by Shelby American, Inc. and features the all-important CSX chassis number. 

In early 2011 it was announced by Shelby that they would offer a limited edition of 50 continuation "street car" Cobras to celebrate the anniversary of the first street Cobra CSX2000. Each would be painted Shelby Black with a premium wine-colored leather interior, special badges, and wire wheels. Gary Davis, Shelby Vice President of Production at the time, added that "Our CSX8000 cars incorporate safety and performance improvements without sacrificing driving excitement or originality. They retain everything from the authentic style leaf spring suspension to the graceful lines, but are upgraded to contemporary standards."

Today, These CSX8000 cars have followed the upward trajectory of their CSX2000 and CSX3000 brethren and are now highly desirable collectibles in their own right. With special 50th Anniversary Edition features including colors and badging, this “street car” Cobra 289, one of just 50 produced, leaves no doubt as to its storied heritage and authentic provenance.

Highlights

• Number 13 of 50 limited edition examples, serialized between CSX 8950-8999

• Produced and authenticated by Shelby American, Inc.

• True CSX8000 car listed in the official Shelby World Registry

• Formerly owned by Bill Denbeste, owner of Shelby Engine Company and Denbeste Motorsports

• Offered with approximately 185 miles at the time of listing

• Finished in Shelby Black over a SA Rosso leather upholstery, dash covering and map pockets and Wilton wool carpeting

• Factory Equipment:

  • Chrome air cleaner

  • Aluminum rocker arm covers

  • Chrome front grille guard

  • Chrome rear bumper guard

  • Chrome exhaust pipe tips

  • Adjustable wind wings

  • Tinted sun visors

  • Competition seat belts (two-point DJ Racing safety harnesses)

  • Aluminum 4V intake manifold

  • Shelby hand-laid fiberglass body

  • Ceramic-coated complete rear exit exhaust system

  • Heat-wrapped tubular headers

• Powered by an iron block 289 V8 stroked to 347 cu-in said to produce over 400 horsepower

• Tremec five-speed manual transmission

• 15-inch Chrome Dayton hard spoke, knock-off wire wheels shod with Firestone Precision Sport tires

• Carroll Shelby-signed glove box door

Features

• Constructed true to the original 1962 design with subtle improvements including:

  • Stronger steel frame (3-inch diameter DOM Steel)

  • Improved component alloys

  • Improving cooling

  • Additional heat shielding

  • Stronger brakes

  • Rack & pinion steering

• Correct transverse-mounted leaf spring suspension

• Dual-piston Wilwood caliper front and rear brakes

• Stewart-Warner gauges

• Center dash-mounted rearview mirror

• 50th Anniversary floor mats

• Wooden steering wheel with a 50th Anniversary Cobra center emblem

• 14-gallon stainless steel fuel Tank

• Side vents painted to match body color

• Unique 50th Anniversary badging

Known Imperfections

This Cobra 289 50th Anniversary Edition is presented as a well-kept example and is said to be free from all but the smallest of imperfections.

Included

• Car cover

Ownership History

The original owner of this Cobra 289 50th Anniversary Edition is said to have been Bill Denbeste, owner of Shelby Engine Company and Denbeste Motorsports, before passing to the second and current owner in April 2020. 

Additional Notes

Contact: Rev Muscle Cars Phone: 847.665.8448