1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster

Regarded as one of the all-time great sports cars, the Shelby Cobra succeeded in capturing the hearts of enthusiasts. When the 289 Cobra couldn't be made any faster, Shelby decided to give the car a larger engine, and the infamous 427 Cobra was born. The 427 Cobras featured a thick and larger chassis, independent suspension and a modified body, all the while keeping the original 289 doors, windscreen, hood and trunk lid.

This particular example is one of only 32 factory “narrow hip” 427 Cobras, marking it as an exceedingly rare and historically significant car within the Shelby lineage. Billed to Shelby American on July 20, 1965, and sold through Eger Motors in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, for a total purchase price of $6,378 to its first owner. The narrow hip 427 Cobra has been regarded by most as the most desirable body shape, as it retained the elegant, flowing lines of the 289 Cobra while introducing the formidable 427 CI big-block V-8 engine, creating what many consider the most beautiful and balanced configuration of all 427 street Cobras.

Originally finished in its desirable factory green paint with a black leather interior, this Cobra retains its original 427 CI side-oiler V-8, factory dual-quad carburetors, original 4-speed manual transmission and original rear end—a combination that defines authenticity at the highest level. Of the 260 factory 427 street cars built, only around 155 were true 427-powered examples and this is one of only 100 Cobras delivered with dual-quad carburetors, making it a standout among even its exclusive peers.

Beyond its rarity, this Cobra carries additional distinction as the final narrow-hip 427 produced by serial number, representing the end of a brief but important chapter in Shelby American history. Recently, the car has benefited from a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by a noted Cobra expert, executed to the highest standards with exceptional attention to originality and finish. It rides on period-correct Halibrand wheels with Dow 7 coating and Goodyear Blue Dot tires, completing the authentic and purposeful stance that made the Cobra an enduring legend. This is the first factory narrow-hip 427 Cobra to come to public auction in nearly 15 years and offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most beautiful, desirable and pure expressions of the Shelby Cobra legacy—an exceptional car that perfectly bridges the artistry of the 289 and the muscle of the 427.