1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

Mike Shoen is one of the most famous Cobra historians and truly the first to recognize the importance of these cars. He had begun purchasing original Cobras in the late 1960s into the ‘70s, and he purchased the famous CSX2299 Daytona Coupe directly from Carroll Shelby himself. Shoen was the first major Cobra collector. He found and owned only the most important of all Cobras, including the first Cobra race car, the only unrestored FIA roadster and three original Daytona coupes all at one time, even including the Le Mans winner. CSX 3002 was one of the most significant Cobra’s ever built, as it was the first production 427 Cobra, the only 427 factory team car and was raced by the best drivers, including Ken Miles, Bob Bondurant, Phil Hill, Jerry Titus and many others.

In 1997, Shoen lent the original CSX3002 to Hi Tech and allowed the company to copy the original for another customer. The goal was to create an exacting recreation utilizing an identical steel frame, aluminum body and correct components. Early 427 Cobras reflected the transition between the 289 CI cars and the later 427 examples. Due its early production, it has many differences compared to the rest of the 427 Competition Cobras, as it was the first production example built. These differences included a forward-facing roll bar, 289 nose opening, rectangular helicopter oil cooler nose opening, widened 289 FIA rear fenders, 8.5 and 6.5 wheels, round top and baffled cold air scoop, a 289 dashboard and an assortment of dash instruments. The recreation incorporates all these unique features that made CSX3002 so unique in comparison to the others built.

The powerplant is the correct 427 CI side-oiler V-8 with aluminum heads (painted black), Le Mans rods, a solid-lifter cam and an aluminum water pump, all conspiring to produce approximately 550 HP. This is paired to a Toploader 4-speed manual transmission and 3.54 rear gear ratio. As original competition Cobras rise in value and scarcity, an authentic recreation, like this example, is the next best thing for any collection.