1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C CSX4000 Alloy Body

Description

It was the great racer Ken Miles who suggested packing Ford’s 427-cubic-inch NASCAR engine in the original 289 Cobra for competition, and the Mark III Cobra debuted in 1965 available in Competition, Semi-Competition (S/C), and street versions. Carroll Shelby only built 343 Cobra 427 supercars, and just 31 of those were the exciting Semi-Competition variants. 

Such rarity and racing renown has resulted in the original 427 Semi-Competition Cobras becoming far too valuable to race or enjoy. Fortunately, Carroll Shelby began in the late 1990s to offer a series of “Continuation Cobras”. These vehicles bear Shelby CSX serial numbers, are recognized by the Shelby American Automobile Club and tracked in the SAAC Registry, and were offered with a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) from Shelby Automobiles signed by Carroll Shelby himself. In late 2002, Shelby enthusiast Larry Carter purchased a genuine Continuation Cobra — CSX4314 — from Shelby American through dealer Nostalgia Motorcars of Rock Hill, South Carolina. While Carter ordered a fiberglass CSX 4000 series automobile, his intention was to complete the build using an aluminum alloy body by noted craftsman Bruce Kimmins, owner of Kimmins Custom Fabrication in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Nostalgia Motorcars completed the installation of the 427 Ford powertrain and uniquely installed the Bruce Kimmins alloy body. The result is a genuine Shelby Continuation Cobra S/C with a hand-formed aluminum body like the fabulous 427 Cobras of the 1960s. 

Highlights 

• CSX4000 series Continuation Cobra S/C by Shelby American 

• Aluminum body by original Shelby Cobra metal pounder and noted craftsman Bruce Kimmins 

• Powered by a Ford FE 427-cu-in V-8 with Holley four-barrel including period correct Turkey Pan. 

• Four-speed manual transmission 

• Halibrand-style 15-inch wheels with recently installed Goodyear racing tires 

• Original-style frame configuration: 4” round tube main rails, .120 wall thickness, 90” wheelbase 

• Original-style four-wheel independent suspension with dual A-arms and coil-over shocks 

• Currently showing 553 miles recorded at time of this cataloging 

Features 

• Baer Brakes with Shelby Inscribed Calipers 

• Shelby Aluminum Differential with Dana 44 Gears, 3.54 to 1 Ratio 

• S/C Dash Layout with Shelby American Signature Series AutoMeter Gauges 

• 15” Original Style Wood Rim Steering Wheel 

• Four-Core Aluminum Radiator 

• 23 Gallon Fuel Cell 

• Recently installed Goodyear Racing tires purchased new from Shelby American 

Known Imperfections 

• Car is in original collector quality condition at time of cataloging 

Included 

• Photocopy of the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin signed by Carroll Shelby  

• Letter from original owner 

• Three Keys 

• Spec Sheet 

• Service Records 

• Receipt for new Goodyear tires 

 Ownership History  

The original owner of CSX4314, Larry Carter, recently recalled, “In the mid to late 1990s I contracted with a firm I met at Barrett Jackson car auction to build a 427 Aluminum body Cobra. After giving them a substantial deposit, they folded and eventually settled my claim by releasing to me the finished aluminum body they had contracted with Kimmins Custom Fabrication in Lake Havasu. After realizing I would not receive a car from the firm that went under, around 1999 I commissioned Nostalgia Motorcars to complete a Continuation Series 4000 car from Shelby. That car CSX4151 was completed early 2001. I was very satisfied with Nostalgia’s build, so I shipped the Kimmins aluminum body to Nostalgia around late 2002 to build a 427 Cobra. That car from Nostalgia Motors had VIN CSX4314 and was completed with the Kimmins aluminum body around 2005 which after receiving, I had some service work performed and sold the car.”

It was acquired by the current owner in 2024.  

Additional Notes 

The SAAC lists CSX4314 as having a fiberglass body, which is how it was invoiced by Shelby. The aluminum body supplied by famed metal fabricator Bruce Kimmons was installed on CSX4314’s rolling chassis and completed by Nostalgia Motors.